THE QUEEN BUSINESS Sonya Simpson with Rex Allen and horse Koko. At once the select fans who annually attend the Ogden Pioneer Days sweetheart contest in June, and later are among the 80,000 the week of July 24 for the main show, knew the competition was wrapped up as it had never been before when Sonya Simpson of the California-Nevada ranch country wheeled her mount through the prescribed maneuvers with the smoothness of a bird in action. Leaning as she wished her horse to go, she took him through the figure eight with the easy grace of a flying gull. She took him through the gaits with the disciplined velocity of a cock pheasant making its getaway by the ground route. The sliding stop was as smooth as a mallard drake skidding to the surface of a pond in the tules. And the dismount which followed as with the same motion reminded the crowd of a desert hawk stepping down to his sliver of rock as precisely as though it were the wide top of the mesa. Sonya, now a bright personality at Weber College, where she was awarded a two-year scholarship board, room, books and tuition by Pioneer Days, also had to "dig" in the fields of personality and scholarship to win the Sweetheart title. Her four-year record at Smith Valley High School was submitted by her principal for the study angle. Her personality was already smooth-honed from many contacts in public competition under the spotlights of radio, television and the crowds at western shows in Nevada and California. Besides being standout winner, along with the other contestants Sonya was guest of the Ogden show for two days and had fun attending a morning party, canyon party, a special breakfast, the riding contest and a radio broadcast. Incognito judges kept an admiring eye on the girls during these events to rate them on social graces. Their special host representing Pioneer Days was T. R. Johnson, chairman of the Sweetheart committee and veteran newspaperman of the Salt Lake Tribune. "Sonya is among the top ranking Sweethearts and I think is the outstanding one in the field of horsemanship," T. R. said when told we were running an article on the 19-year-old winner. After many years of directing the committee and playing host to the many charming girls who have competed in that time, T. R. is an authority on Sweethearts. He pointed out that some years the girl who won did not make the most of the award, but Sonya is among those who realize every bit of value from the worthwhile scholarship to one of the excellent junior colleges of the nation. She is building the school as well as herself, college officials report. Appearing at the five rodeos, making a spectacular entry every night, and riding in the parades were also an important part of the award. By acting especially harmless, Scribulus staffers got Sonya to break into her swimming time, skiing sessions, romantic interludes and studies to jot down her impressions of the "queen business" from her own background of continuous competition. What she says reveals that a rodeo sweetheart especially one for the Ogden event has to have plenty of wise stuff above the ears too. SONYA'S STORY From memories of my childhood comes a cry I'll never forget the wail of a tot whose father was letting her learn about life through the hard knocks of experience. 'Ouch . . . Daddy . . . Daddy!" was my frequent complaint, "Beauty has scraped me off again!" It was in this way that I first entered what can be considered competition, and competition is what this article is about. Even though I wasn't three years old, the treatment was rough, and Beauty, my Shetland, often won by shedding me against an apple tree in the yard. In the struggle between my horse and me over just which one would be the boss, the contest was rugged, for it seems my pony won out almost as often as I did. Well, competition often goes that way, but even so, it wasn't any good; I don't like to lose! In contesting when you just can't seem to make any progress, it is best to find a more successful way of doing things. Well, this is what I decided I must do, and so, at the age of six there were some changes made. From then on things really changed fast. I quit competing against my horse and we formed a partnership and started working together. Competition can teach one many things, and now I had learned my first major lesson. Work together always! (Turn to Page 24) Four SHARE YOUR CHARMS By Margaret Hurd When winter's snow falls wet and white And firelight lifts its arms, I like to think of yesterday When I could share your charms. And when the summer sunsets red And pathways green we shared, I like to reminisce a while Upon the things you said. When Autumn's trees, in colors bright, Gasp for a kiss of brilliant sun, I dream of heaven's priceless spring When you and I are one! CRY FOR FREEDOM By Tom Wardle Cry for Freedom! Instill in the youth of America The desire for peace and liberty, For justice and equality; For ours is the great American heritage By which we live and are governed. We cannot build up a democracy against foreign doctrine, We cannot expect our country to surve and flourish If we do not build and Cry for Freedom! BEGONE, EERIE FOG By Esther B. White Feathery tendrils, whispy, fragile, Curl and twist across the land; Drifting, turning, swirling fog Like a life without a plan. Hiding beauty, hiding horror, Concealing happiness and sorrow. A filmy curtain without substance Cutting off from hope, the morrow. Feathery fog, Oh, gray bleakness, You and darkness seem as one, But soon you'll flee away And disappear before the Sun. Five