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Days of '47 Goldenwest Credit Union

2025 Days of ’47 Royalty Scholarship Competition “Pioneer Spirit--Pioneer Strong"

2025 Days of ’47 Royalty

International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, in partnership with Days of '47, Inc., is pleased to announce the 2025 royalty: Ellie Simmons as queen, with attendants Jacquelyn Bazinet, and Megan Haynie.

QUEEN Ellie Simmons Ellie Simmons attends Brigham Young University majoring in psychology and minoring in Spanish and Business. She has a deep love of music, sings and plays her guitar incorporating songs she has written. At the age of 18 years old, she moved to Costa Rica for a four-month humanitarian effort to teach children English. She served a mission for her church in Philadelphia and Bolivia. She is the daughter of Anne Simmons, South Jordan, Utah and Curtis Simmons, Henderson, Nevada.

Ellie said of one of her pioneer ancestors, “William Bert Simmons (fourth grandfather) was a member of the rescue party who helped starving and freezing pioneers of the Martin Handcart Company. His courage and willingness to take action leaves me with a rich legacy. Through his life I have found strength and guidance for my own struggles. His actions encourage me to welcome the tasks that take me beyond myself.”

ATTENDANT Jacquelyn Bazinet Jacquelyn Bazinet completed two missions for her church, one as a Nauvoo performing missionary and the other as a proselyting missionary in the Canada Winnipeg Mission. In addition to completing a four-month training at the Dolphin Research Center, Jacquelyn has a desire to attend Brigham Young University. She is a ballroom dancer, has musical theater and vocal training, and actively volunteers in her community. She is the daughter of Marilyn Bainet, Lehi, Utah.

ATTENDANT Megan Haynie Megan Haynie is studying Communication Disorders at Brigham Young University with a goal to become a certified Speech Language Pathologist. She volunteers at food pantries and is a tutor for children. Megan is a trained classical singer and performs with the Women’s Choir at BYU. She is fluent in Spanish, writes poetry and plays the piano. Megan served a mission for her church. She is the daughter of Paul and Natalie Haynie of Perry, Utah.

Young women from throughout Utah were evaluated by a panel of judges based on personal goals, education, accomplishments, leadership, values, community service, and their Utah pioneer heritage. The 2025 Royalty will reign over the Days of ’47 Parade, Rodeo, Pops concert and other events during the month of July. They will continue to represent the State of Utah, Days of ’47 and International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers for the upcoming twelve months.

Appearances

To schedule an appearance by The Days of ’47 Royalty members, please contact Constance Huntsman at 801-450-2757
cdhalice@gmail.com.

Produced By

International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers
To learn more, vist the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers website.

Days of ‘47 - History of “Royalty in Utah”

The first record of a Queen in Utah was in 1897 when Emma Lunt was chosen the Queen of the first Utah Pioneer Jubilee. She had two Maids of Honor, 20 Attendants, and two Escorts. While wearing an elaborate gown and crowned as Miss Utah, the newspaper proclaimed her as “one of Zion’s most popular young ladies.” Her reign lasted five days.

In 1897, a committee of about 22 prominent citizens decided that Emma Lunt was the girl to ride in the horse drawn carriage during the 24 th of July celebration. Miss Utah attended all of the events, but didn’t have to do anything but look pretty and make a formal bow.

The first pioneer parade was held in 1849. The parade was called “Covered Wagon Days” until 1931 when the name of the celebration was changed to “Pioneer Days.” The 1931 Queen (or “Miss Pioneer” as she was called) was Margaret Young, a direct descendant of Brigham Young. In fact, that year all 200 contestants were direct descendants of Brigham Young.

On July 5, 1943, Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Sons of Utah Pioneers signed an agreement to officially sponsor a Pioneer Day parade and to celebrate Utah’s pioneer heritage each year through a Days of `47 committee, a private nonprofit corporation. The event was renamed, The Days of `47. The first Days of `47 Queen was Pat Pixton.

The International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers orchestrates the Days of ’47 Royalty Pageant. Rather than being a “Zion’s most popular young ladies contest,” today’s royalty is selected based on community service, education/knowledge, charity, values and pioneer heritage. Young women are chosen based on those who exemplify the high standards of pioneers -- past and present. All royalty are descendants of Utah pioneers (1847 – 1869).

About the Event

The Days of '47 Royalty Scholarship Competition is produced by International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers. All the young women who competed in this years competition graduated from high school and are between the ages of 18 and 25. The chosen royalty will ride in The Days of ’47 Parade, will be in attendance at many functions (such as The Days of ’47 Rodeo), and will speak at numerous gatherings and events during their reign. They will be role models to all young women who hear their message as they represent the State of Utah, The Days of ’47, Inc. and Daughters of Utah Pioneers.