From left, Chickasaw Junior Princess Alexis Walker, Little Miss Chickasaw Lauren John and Chickasaw Princess Jessie Miller will bid farewell to their reign on Tuesday, Sept. 28, when new Chickasaw royalty will be crowned at the Ada High School Cougar Activity Center in Ada, Okla. Photo by Marcy A. Gray.
Lauren John decided to participate in the Chickasaw Princess Pageant because she "wanted to be a princess" and "loved the crown."
A year later, the Little Miss Chickasaw has realized that the pageant is "more than the dress and crown."
"We are role models for other girls and we try to inspire others to be good students and work hard," the eight-year-old said.
On Tuesday, Sept. 28, Miss John, along with Chickasaw Princess Jessie Miller and Chickasaw Junior Princess Alexis Walker, will bid farewell to their reign and new Chickasaw royalty will be crowned.
The annual Chickasaw Princess Pageant begins 6 p.m. at the Ada High School Cougar Activity Center in Ada, Okla.
During the pageant, young ladies will be judged on traditional Chickasaw dress, random questioning, talent and poise.
The winners will be selected by a panel of judges and crowned by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.
"Crowning the new Chickasaw royalty is always a wonderful occasion," said Gov. Anoatubby. "We witness young Chickasaw ladies stepping into their new role as ambassadors for the Chickasaw Nation. This is an experience that we hope will forever enhance their lives."
The new princesses will receive a crown, traditional dress, shawl, sash, trophy, gifts and cash prizes.
The new royalty will promote friendship and goodwill at various events nationwide.
"Being an ambassador for the Chickasaw Nation is such an honor and privilege and I encourage all the Chickasaw girls to be proud of who you are and to be proud of your heritage," said Miss Miller, a junior at East Central University majoring in elementary education.
During their one-year reign, they participated in several parades, performed the Lord’s Prayer in sign language at various Chickasaw Nation events and visited with the elders and young children, she said.
Pageant Coordinator Mary Hartley said the program is not a beauty pageant.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Chickasaw girls to be representatives of the tribe and positive role models," she said. "It is an opportunity for them to learn more about their heritage, culture and language."
The heritage of the princesses goes back to 1963 when Ranell (James) Harry, daughter of former Chickasaw Governor Overton James, was appointed the first princess.
All royalty participants are required to be residents of the Chickasaw Nation, ages seven to 25, and have a minimum one-quarter Chickasaw blood quantum, submit an essay, three letters of reference from non-relatives plus a 5x7 self-portrait.
For more information about the Chickasaw Princesses, call (580) 272-7710 or email Mary.Hartley@chickasaw.net.
