"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path

**"Feather Smith, left, outgoing Jr. Miss Cherokee Leadership, passed the crown to Tara Comingdeer of Stilwell right. Comingdeer also received the Miss Congeniality award."**

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Tara Comingdeer of Stilwell was recently named the new Jr. Miss Cherokee Leadership. The competition was held in conjunction with the 56th Annual Cherokee National Holiday.

“This means so much to me. I’m going to do as much as I can as Jr. Miss Cherokee Leadership,” said Comingdeer. “I’m overwhelmed and excited. All of the girls in the competition were amazing. I just can’t tell you what this means to me.”

Tara is the fifteen year-old daughter of David and Karen Rabon Comingdeer and is a sophomore at Sequoyah Schools in Tahlequah. She is a member of the Echota Ceremonial Grounds and enjoys running cross-county and playing basketball. Her platform during her term will be to express to Cherokee youth the importance of taking part in the effort to “plant the seed corn” for our future.

The Jr. Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition is a way to promote leadership and culture among Cherokee youth. The winner of the competition acts as a goodwill ambassador for the tribe and promotes the government, language, history and traditions of the Cherokee people.

Participants were judged on cultural presentations, their chosen platform and an impromptu question.

“I am proud of each of the young women who competed this year,” said Reba Bruner, event coordinator. “It is good to see so many young women dedicated to our heritage and knowledgeable about our history.”

Jade Hansen of Kansas, Oklahoma was selected at first-runner up in the competition and Taylor Goff of Sallisaw was named as the second-runner up. Jade is the daughter of Woody and Joyce Hansen and is a senior at Kansas High School. Taylor is the daughter of Mika Goff and attends Gans High School.

Other contestants include Tierrah Bird of Westville, Ashley Miller of Stilwell and Caitlin Dingle of Catoosa.

Individual awards were presented to Tara Comingdeer for Miss Congeniality, Traditional Dress and Cultural Presentation. Jade Hansen was presented the Academic Award and Caitlin Dingle received the Essay Award.

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.