Lights are flashing, music is blaring and candy is being thrown in all directions. The crowd goes wild as the annual Fourth of July parade passes through the Canyon main street. But young Jacie Hamiliton doesn’t have her eyes on the candy, or the blaring lights. Her eyes are on the beautiful girl in the back of a hot rod, a blue sash over her shoulder and a tiara on her head as she waves at everyone around her. The Lions Club Queen. And it was at that moment, Jacie knew exactly what she wanted to be when she got older and was determined to get there. 

Now, sure enough, she’s Lions Club Queen, doing everything she can to impact the community around her and live up to her duty.

“I knew from a super young age that I wanted to be Lions Club Queen so bad,” Hamilton said. “In my interview at the Lions Club, they actually asked me, “Why is this so important to you?” And I said, because I remember fifth grade me standing at the Fourth of July parade seeing the queen. I want that to be me someday.” 

Hamilton has been involved in the Lions Club with her family since she was in fifth grade, and eventually joined Leo Club in highschool and is now serving as its president. 

“Jacie is a real active part of Leo Club,” Steven Thrasher, the Leo Club Sponsor said. “Last year’s queen wasn’t a member of Leo’s, so I think that’ll be a big difference. Jacie is gonna bring a lot more collaboration between the adult Lions with the high school Leos.” 

When appyling to become Queen, the application process requires hours of volunteer work as well as a series of interviews, a speech and speaking in front of the Lions Club.
“She’s really become a good volunteer. She’s in the Key Club and Leo Club, and I see her with her parents doing a lot of volunteer stuff. Just a lot of things out in the community,” Thrasher said. “She participates in several organizations, and has become a really good leader, both in school and outside of school.” 

Being the face of the Lions Club not only requires a lot of community work, but also requires a good personality as well. 

“Jacie is very outgoing and enjoys being around people,” 24-25 queen, senior Maci Littau said. “ Being personable is another very important trait, and she is very kind and seeks to get to know people for who they really are. These are some of the key attributes to a Canyon Lions Club Queen.”  

Hamilton has been shadowing Littau in her duties as Queen, but will soon be passing her crown off to Hamilton on June 25th. 

“This has been a dream of mine for so, so long, and so, it certainly seems like it is almost surreal to actually, hold that title, and be able to be in the position.” Hamilton said, “I’m just extremely grateful for this opportunity.”