Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Principal Chief Chad Smith crowned Amanda Carey as the new Miss Cherokee during the Cherokee Nation Holiday weekend.

Amanda Carey speaks to the crowd at the State of the Nation address after being crowned Miss Cherokee, the Cherokee Messenger, for 2001.

"I am so honored to be able to chosen to represent our people", Carey told the crowd at the State of the Nation address.

Carey is a pre-pharmacy major at Northeastern State University and works at the Wal-Mart pharmacy where she delivers medication to nursing homes in the Tahlequah area.

"That is an opportunity to reach out to some of the elders of our community and a chance to brighten someone’s day with a smile or a kind word", Carey said.

The Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition rewarded leadership abilities and cultural knowledge.

"Miss Cherokee is really our Cherokee Messenger, a person who can educate people about the values and culture of the Cherokee Nation", Smith said. “Our competition this year was structured to move the focus away from a ‘beauty pageant’ and towards identifying the young women who are the Cherokee leaders of the future. All of this year’s competitors have strong leadership skills."

Carey is a member of the New Hope Indian Baptist Church in Hulbert and serves as a volunteer in the Cherokee Nation’s effort to assist tribal members in filing for the earned income tax credit. She won the Heritage Award and the Miss Congeniality award in this year’s leadership competition.

"This was a wonderful experience for me", Carey said. "I made four new best friends."

Carey will receive a $3,000 scholarship for being named Miss Cherokee. Judges tabbed Adeline Cochran of Tahlequah as first runner-up and Leandra Sequichie of Vian as second runner-up. Cochran earned a $2,000 scholarship and Sequichie took home a $1,000 scholarship.

To schedule an appearance with Miss Cherokee, please contact Sandy Houston at the Cherokee Nation, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext. 2201).