Another sweet tale from Uncle Joe's "Tales From Ten Oaks." Tanya Cook is all grown up now, a professional and the mother of three, but the traits that her grandfather celebrated in this essay endure.TANYA, THE TEEN QUEEN
By ELMER "JOE" SPRICK
They sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" a cappella, and they sang it like they meant it. It was a good feeling to be part of the crowd that packed the school auditorium that evening.
The small town of Cadott, Wis., was having its annual community celebration, starting off with a beauty pageant. A queen would be crowned to represent her community over the coming year. The candidates would be judged on talent, modeling and public speaking ability.
Several queens from past years were introduced. Among them were nurses, consultants, computer programmers, college professors and office managers. They came from families with a strong work ethic, the kind that keeps people up until 3 a.m. working on a float for a parade that will be enjoyed by young and old alike.
Over the years, the judges had done a commendable job of selecting those who were proud to represent their community. In turn, the community was proud of them.
Like this new queen. Just a few years back, she'd been a tomboy in blue jeans, spending a lot of her vacation time with her grampa, fishing and riding horses. Back then, her long brown curls didn't fit under the Jones hat she wore, and there were holes in both knees of her blue jeans. A giant wad of bubble gum usually got a good workout as she concentrated on catching fish.
And could she catch fish!
Some fishermen seem to sense the precise moment to set the hook. At age 8, Tanya could catch spooky bluegills on a spring bobber or fussy crappies on a jig with the best of them.
Her grampa could find a lot of reasons to proud of her.
She had determination. It showed the first time she fell off a quarterhorse into the snow. She got up, brushed herself off and climbed back into the saddle.
She had dedication. It showed when she maintained a straight-A average and became salutatorian of her class.
But it was her thoughtfulness that gave her grampa his proudest moment. In her final appearance as Cadott's queen, Tanya chose her old fishing buddy, Grampa, to escort her up to the stage. There she remembered to thank all those who helped her along the way.
Whether Tanya pursues academic goals or decides to be a homemaker, her grampa will always be proud of her, because he believes that whatever she does, she will make a positive difference in this world.
He sensed that from that day many years ago when he saw his little tomboy climb back into the saddle.
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