"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Miss Cherokee Leadership Contestants

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Seven aspiring, young Cherokee women will compete in the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition on Saturday, August 23, at 7 p.m., at Cornerstone Church in Tahlequah. The competition will be held in conjunction with the 56th Annual Cherokee National Holiday.

“We are excited to have each of these young women take part in our competition,” said Nancy Scott, event coordinator. “We have some very accomplished participants this year and I am proud to have each of them take part in the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition. This is a great experience for young Cherokee women.”

The purpose of the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition is to identify young women with leadership abilities to represent the Cherokee Nation, its citizens and communities. The chosen candidate will serve as a goodwill ambassador and messenger to promote the government, history, language and culture of the Cherokee people.

Miss Cherokee Leadership participants will be judged in several categories, including an interview, platform presentation, social skills, tribal knowledge and their usage of the Cherokee language. The winner of the competition will receive a $3,000 dollar scholarship, the first-runner up will be awarded a scholarship totaling $2,000 dollars and the third-runner up will win a $1,000 dollar scholarship.

This year seven young women who represent several communities in the tribe’s jurisdictional area arecompeting in the event.

Feather Smith is the daughter of Rex and Marie Smith of Tahlequah. She is currently enrolled at Northeastern State University and is majoring in Zoology. Feather is a Cherokee storyteller and enjoys making traditional crafts. She also enjoys playing traditional games such as stickball. Feather has served as a volunteer in her community, was a member of the Cherokee National Youth Choir, served as the 2007-2008 Junior Miss Cherokee, was a recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship Award, has received several academic awards and has participated in numerous student organizations.

Courtney Teehee is the daughter of Tom and Juanita Teehee of Jay. Courtney is attending Northeastern State University in Tahlequah and has served her community by taking part in community and church events. She enjoys helping others in the community because she feels it will help to make her community strong. Courtney participates in traditional games such as stickball and marbles, and likes demonstrating basket weaving, storytelling and traditional foods. She has excelled in art competitions, taken part in youth leadership trips to North Carolina and is a former member of the Cherokee Nation Youth Council.

Danielle Culp is the daughter of Ellen and Terry Culp of Claremore and is a freshman at Northeastern State University. Danielle enjoys basket weaving, singing, storytelling and beadwork. She has served her community by participating in coat drives, making Valentines for Vets, cleaning up parks and by adopting children from the Angel Tree at Christmas. Danielle is a representative for Rogers County on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council, has taken part in the Youth Leadership Institute and served as the 2006-2007 Junior Miss Cherokee.

Alyssa Allen Fields is the daughter of Barry and Melissa Sanders of Locust Grove. Alyssa is currently enrolled at Northeastern State University and plans to work in medical science. She enjoys making cornhusk dolls, basket weaving, cooking traditional Cherokee foods, playing Cherokee marbles and making corn-bead necklaces. Alyssa helps her community by participating in community events and assisting with the elderly. She is a member of the Long Prairie Baptist Church youth group, sang in the Cherokee National Youth Choir and received the Trail of Tears Award for Excellence in 2004 and 2008.

Jana Henry is the daughter of Sherri and Jesse Henry, Jr. of Salina and is attending the Northeastern Technology Center where she is studying to be a licensed practical nurse. Jana enjoys singing in Cherokee, doing beadwork, basket weaving, cooking traditional foods, playing Cherokee marbles and archery. She has volunteered in her community by singing hymns at local nursing homes, and is actively involved with her church as a Sunday school teacher and assistant youth leader. Jana is a past participant in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Charbrice Rhea is the daughter of Barbara Skaggs of Westville. She attends Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Charbrice enjoys basket weaving, making cornhusk dolls, playing Cherokee marbles and stickball. She has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, performed the Lord’s Prayer in sign language at Johnson O’Malley functions and has assisted with blood drives. Charbrice has been a member of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council, taken part in Cherokee Nation leadership conferences, has served as Little Miss Cherokee, is a professional dancer for the Scherezade Dance Company and has been awarded numerous academic and athletic awards.

Kinsey Shade is the daughter of Bobbie Joe and Ruth Ann Shade of Briggs, and is majoring in Mass Communications at Northeastern State University. She enjoys making cornhusk dolls, basket weaving, singing Cherokee hymns, storytelling and gathering traditional foods. Kinsey acts a youth leader for the Boys and Girls Club-Briggs Unit, works as a tutor and assists with Sunday school when needed. She has been a member of the Cherokee National Youth Choir, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council, served as the 2005-2006 Junior Miss Cherokee and has actively participated in several organizations such as Students against Destructive Decisions and Drug Free Youth.

“I encourage everyone to come out and support these young women,” said Scott. “I would also like to invite the public to attend a reception with the contestants from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., in the ballroom of Northeastern State University. It will be a great opportunity to meet each of the contestants and fellowship with old friends.”

The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 in tribute to the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. It has grown into one of the largest events in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world.

Each year a theme is chosen for the Cherokee National Holiday that celebrates Cherokee Nation’s rich heritage and culture. The 2008 theme is "di ni yo tli u na li s de lv do di, Planting the Seed Corn for our Children's Future."

“In this theme, we honor all the Cherokee parents and grandparents whose everyday actions are dedicated to establishing strong, self-sufficient children and communities. Cherokee community members have great respect for these individuals who care and plan for the Cherokee Nation’s leaders of tomorrow,” said Smith.

For more information about the event, call 918-453-5259.