"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Applications for Miss Cherokee Competition

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation is now accepting applications for the 2007 Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition, which will take place on Saturday, August 25, at 7 p.m. in the University Center ballroom of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.

“We encourage every eligible young woman to participate in this year’s Miss Cherokee competition,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “Because this competition requires leadership skills and the ability to follow through, everyone is a winner in this event. We are very proud of each and every young woman who has a desire to represent the Cherokee Nation.”

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.

“This event has been one of the most exciting events of the Cherokee National Holiday,” said Nancy Scott, event coordinator. “The competition is used in part to identify leadership in young Cherokee females and is a wonderful opportunity for young Cherokee women to promote the values and heritage that have been a part of Cherokee culture and tradition for generations.”

Contestants will compete for a $3,000 grand prize scholarship. The first runner-up will receive a $2,000 scholarship and the second runner-up will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Participants will be judged in several categories, including interview, platform presentation, social skills, tribal knowledge and Cherokee language usage.

“This competition is such a golden opportunity for young Cherokee women,” said Scott. “The program is structured so that there are learning opportunities throughout the whole process. The contestants are interviewed by prominent Cherokee people, they select a topic which they present at their platform and they also do a cultural presentation, which allows them to educate others about their knowledge of Cherokee culture. We are encouraging the contestants to use the Cherokee language as much as possible in their presentations.”

Contestants for Miss Cherokee must be between the ages of 17 and 22 before Friday, August 24, 2007. All participants must be at least one-fourth Cherokee, possess a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood card and be a tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation. All candidates must be a high school graduate or have successfully completed a G.E.D. testing program for high school equivalency. Contestants cannot have been married or have ever cohabitated, cannot have children or have previously served as Miss Cherokee. In addition, contestants must never have been convicted of any crime or have any criminal charges pending. Applications must be postmarked Friday, July 20.

Completed applications must be submitted to the Cherokee Nation by mail to: Cherokee Nation, Miss Cherokee Competition, ATTN: Nancy Scott, P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465. Hand-delivered or faxed applications will not be accepted. For an application or for more information contact Nancy Scott, phone: 918-453-5259.