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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation is now accepting applications for the annual Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition. The competition will be held on Friday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room inside the Restaurant of the Cherokees. The deadline for applications to be submitted is Thursday, August 1 at 5:00 p.m.

"We are anticipating a record number of contestants this year", said Denise Rooster, a member of the Miss Cherokee Leadership Committee. "The competition is held in conjunction with the 50th annual Cherokee National Holiday and that should bring in more contestants."

The purpose of the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition is to identify youth leadership to represent the Cherokee Nation. The selected candidate will serve as a goodwill ambassador and messenger to promote the government, history, language and culture of the Cherokee people.

Contestants will be competing for a $3000 grand prize scholarship. The first runner-up will receive a $2000 scholarship, and the second runner-up will receive a $1000 scholarship.

Contestants for Miss Cherokee must be between 17 and 22 years of age before the date of the competition. 17 year olds may compete only if they have graduated from high school. All contestants must be at least 1/4 degree or more of Cherokee blood, and possess a CDIB and tribal membership card. They must have graduated from high school or successfully completed a G.E.D. testing program for high school equivalency. She must not have been married or have ever cohabitated, have children or have previously served as Miss Cherokee.

Miss Cherokee contestants will be judged in five categories. The categories are: interview, oral presentation, social demeanor, a portfolio of leadership and community service activities, and tribal knowledge.

Applications for the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition are available at the Cherokee FIRST Welcome Center in the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah. For more information on the competition or to volunteer to help with the competition, contact Denise Rooster, phone: 918-458-6170.