By Sharmina Manandhar, Media Relations Specialist
From left, Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby, newly crowned Chickasaw Princess Nacobi Walker, Chickasaw Junior Princess Raechell Meely, Little Miss Chickasaw Keilyn Factor and Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel at the 2011-2012 Chickasaw Princess Pageant Monday, Sept. 26, at the Ada High School Cougar Activity Center in Ada, Okla. Photo by Marcy A. Gray
Three young Chickasaw ladies were selected to serve as the ambassadors of the Chickasaw Nation during the 2011-2012 Chickasaw Princess Pageant in Ada, Okla.
Nacobi Walker, of Ada; Raechell Meely, of Sulphur, Okla.; and Keilyn Factor, of Ada, were crowned Chickasaw Princess, Chickasaw Junior Princess and Little Miss Chickasaw, respectively Sept. 26 at the Ada High School Cougar Activity Center.
"We are extremely proud of these three young ladies, who will be representing the Chickasaw Nation as goodwill ambassadors in the upcoming year," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. "We hope the experience will enhance their lives and enable them to become positive role models to young Chickasaws and other Native American youth."
The winners received a crown, traditional dress, shawl, sash, trophy, gifts and cash prizes.
The new royalty will have the honor and privilege of representing the Chickasaw Nation at various events nationwide during their one-year reign.
The contestants were judged on the basis of traditional dress, poise, talent and random questions.
Nacobi is the 19-year-old daughter of Darrell W. and Johnna (Ellis) Walker. She is a freshman at East Central University in Ada, majoring in general business.
She previously served as the 2006-2007 Junior Miss Chickasaw.
"I would love the opportunity to travel again and learn even more about our culture and traditions as well as those of other tribes," she said. "I enjoy learning about where we came from and helping to shape the direction we are heading."
Raechell, 13, is the daughter of Mitchell Meely and Paula Thomas. She attends the eighth grade at Dickson Middle School in Dickson, Okla.
"There are many honors to being Chickasaw, such as, sharing our culture with others, knowing the history of our culture and being able to represent our nation in a positive manner," she said.
Keilyn, 9, is in the third grade at Latta Elementary School in Ada. Her parents are Stanley Factor and Gwen Burris.
"As Little Miss Chickasaw, I will make my people proud and be a positive role model for our youth," she said.
Hagen LeFors, of Ada, was named the first runner-up 2011-2012 Chickasaw Princess.
Other winners in the Chickasaw Junior Princess category were: first runner-up Caitlynn Sparlin, of Tishomingo; second runner-up Mikayla Hook, of Pontotoc; and third runner-up Krysten Wallace, of Ada.
Nevaeh Smith and Karissa Shico, both of Ada, were named first and second runners-up, respectively in the Little Miss Chickasaw category.
During the pageant ceremony, special recognition was paid to the outgoing 2010-2011 royalty – Chickasaw Princess Sesiley Robertson, Chickasaw Junior Princess Taloa Underwood and Little Miss Chickasaw Maegen Carney.
The heritage of the princesses began in 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 and have a minimum one-quarter Chickasaw blood quantum and meet other requirements.
For more information about the Chickasaw Princess Program, please visit http://www.chickasaw.net/ or contact Mary Hartley at (580) 310-9539 or Mary.Hartley@Chickasaw.net.
