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Iola’s Queen of the Snow

Nalani Mules, of Iola, has been named Queen of the Snow for the 50th annual Iola Winter Carnival to be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 5-6.

“Coming from a very Norwegian family, I feel that the Winter Carnival is an excellent way to keep Norwegian traditions alive. This small-town tradition helps bring the community together in celebration of our heritage and cultural values,” Mules said.

“Ever since I can remember, my grandparents and parents have attended the lutefisk supper, and I have spent a great deal of time either out at the ski hill watching my nephews compete or carving ice sculptures at the high school,” she added. “These traditions are a great way to bring the community together.”

The Queen of the Snow is a senior at Iola-Scandinavia High School and the daughter of Thane and Julaine Mules.

Her school and extracurricular activities include Student Council, president; Art Crew, president; Senior Class president; National Honor Society; Spanish Club; Physics Club; high honor roll; waitress and cook; head lifeguard; and water aerobics and swim instructor.

“I feel that Winter Carnival is a great way to bring our small town together and that we should try to get more people to participate in these festivities,” she said. “With more of the community involved, the traditions are more likely to be carried out.”

The 2011 Snow Court includes princesses Taylor Lashua, Teresa Sprangers and Morgan Oppor.

Lashua is the daughter of John Lashua and Jodi Hansen-Kennealy.

“The Iola Winter Carnival is a fantastic tradition because it reflects so many years of heritage, and it’s important that we keep the Norwegian activities and tradition alive,” she stated. “Iola is amazing for being such a small town and hosting such a great event.

“It’s wonderful to bring the community together and share our lefse, lutefisk and good laughs with people from all over,” she added.

Sprangers is the daughter of Mark and Lynn Sprangers.

“I believe Winter Carnival is a great community tradition because it brings the community together through many different activities, such as the lutefisk supper, ski jumping and ice sculpting,” Sprangers said. “It is a time for Iola to celebrate its strong Norwegian heritage and show others the wonderful spirit of our small town.”

Oppor is the daughter of Jeff Oppor.

“Winter Carnival is a great tradition because it gets the community involved in some of the winter activities and it gives people in the community a chance to learn a little more about our Norwegian heritage,” Oppor said. “It also helps bring the community together and have a lot of fun while doing so.

“I am always willing to learn more about my Norwegian heritage and where my family came from,” she said. “I have learned a lot from my grandparents from making lefse and rosettes to trying lutefisk. Being on the Snow Court gives me a chance to learn more from other people as well.”

2011 Snow Court

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