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Left to right, 1st Runner Up Alyssa Johnson from Chickasha, Oklahoma, Jr. Miss Cherokee 2002-2003 Renee Mink from Stillwell, Oklahoma, and 2nd Runner Up Stephanie Fountain from Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Gayla Renee Mink, 17 of Tahlequah, was crowned Junior Miss Cherokee during the events at the 50th annual Cherokee National Holiday. Mink is the daughter of Brian and Katie Mink and is a senior at Sequoyah High School. Mink also won the honor of Miss Congeniality and Best Traditional Dress.

First runner-up was Alyssa Johnson, 13 of Chickasha and the second runner-up was Stephanie Fountain, 17 of Tahlequah. Winners competed against nine contestants vying for the crown. Contestants had to be at least 13 years old but not more than 17 years old on or before August 18 to be eligible to enter. They were judged on Cherokee history, traditional dress, personality and poise, talent, scholastic achievement and a written essay.

Sequoyah High School "Home of the Indians!"       Sequoyah High School, an Indian boarding school, originated in 1871, when the Cherokee National Council passed an act setting up an orphan asylum to take care of many orphans that came out of the Civil War. Sequoyah High School's approximate 300 enrollment represents 42 tribes and 14 different states. Students are eligible to attend if they are members of federally recognized Indian tribes or one-fourth blood descendants of such members.