Gullixon named to lead Iola Winter Carnival
By Holly Neumann
Sophie Gullixon has been named as the 2019 Queen of Snows for the Iola Winter Carnival.
She is the daughter of Rod and Rachel Gullixon.
“Sophie is just a sweet girl and a great choice as queen,” said Heather Hoyord, who is a part of the Winter Carnival Court Committee. “It was really hard choosing this year. They are all such good girls and involved in so much.”
Gullixon admits that she was surprised by her selection.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was so shocked and super happy,” she said. “It was a great feeling.”
She said it is an honor to have been chosen as she has always looked up to the girls who have served on the court.
“Now I will have little girls looking up to me,” she said. “I will try my very hardest to do my best in this role and to represent Iola in a positive way.”
For Gullixon, the Winter Carnival means coming together as a community, meeting new people and celebrating the Norwegian heritage of the area.
“It is important to know where we came from and how we all got here,” she said. “But it’s also important to be thankful for what we have and the community that we live in.”
She encourages everyone to become involved.
“I have worked at the Norwegian Supper since I was in the fourth grade,” said Gullixon, who is now a senior. “I never realized how many people worked together to make this happen. It has been a great way to meet some other people.”
She hopes that visitors that come to take part in the festivities take away the joy of community, being together and celebrating something that is important to a lot of people.
“I hope people realize how close we all are,” she said. “Iola is a pretty special place.”
Serving beside Gullixon were Emily Wolfgram, Payton Wester, Makenna Brown and Haley Ullom.
“This is a great group of kids,” said Hoyord. “The Iola Winter Carnival has been a part of their lives since they were little girls and I hope they inspire the next generation.”