Release Date: Monday, October 04, 2010
By Sharmina Manandhar, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
From left, Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby, newly crowned Miss Chickasaw Sesiley Robertson, Junior Miss Chickasaw Taloa Underwood, Little Miss Chickasaw Maegan Carney and Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel at the 2010-2011 Chickasaw Princess Pageant Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the Ada High School Cougar Activity Center in Ada, Okla. Photo by Marcy A. Gray.
ADA, Okla. -- New Chickasaw Nation royalty were selected during the 2010-2011 Chickasaw Princess Pageant Tuesday, Sept 28, at the Ada High School Cougar Activity Center.
Sesiley Robertson, 17, of Ada; Taloa Underwood, 16, of Sulphur; and Maegan Carney, 11, of Ardmore were crowned Miss Chickasaw, Junior Miss Chickasaw and Little Miss Chickasaw, respectively by Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby and Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel.
"It is a pleasure to see these three deserving young ladies stepping into their role as goodwill ambassadors for the Chickasaw Nation," said Gov. Anoatubby. "We believe they will serve as exceptional role models to other Chickasaw and Native American young people."
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. They demonstrated a wide variety of talents ranging from storytelling, singing, hoop dancing and piano playing.
Earlier in the day, the contestants participated in one-on-one interview sessions with the panel of judges comprising of Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court Justice Cheri Bellefeuille-Gordon, Chickasaw citizen Alicia Johnson and Chickasaw Composer-in-residence Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate.
"We are very proud of them (contestants)," said Mr. Tate during the pageant. "No matter who would win, this tribe will be so well represented."
During the pageant ceremony, special recognition was paid to the outgoing 2009-2010 royalty - Miss Chickasaw Jessie Miller, Junior Miss Chickasaw Alexis Walker and Little Miss Chickasaw Lauren John.
Miss Robertson is the daughter of Richard Robertson and Clarice Culberson. A junior at Latta High School, Miss Robertson is a member of the cheerleading squad and Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
Miss Underwood is the daughter of Dennis and Tina Underwood. She is a junior at Sulphur High School. Her painting "Chukmasi" was chosen as the artwork for the 2010 Chickasaw Dynamic Women's Conference and Forum.
Miss Carney is the daughter of Richard Allen Carney and Angie Amareta Underwood Carney. She is a sixth grader at Ardmore Middle School and loves to stomp dance and hoop dance.
Raechell Meely, 12, of Dickson, was selected first runner-up and Krysten Wallace, 12, of Ada, was selected second runner-up in the Junior Miss Chickasaw category. Participants in this category are required to be of ages 12 to 16.
Other winners in the Little Miss Chickasaw category were - first runner-up Keilyn "Ke-Ke" Ahni Factor, 8; second runner-up Pakanli Ramsey, 11; and third runner-up Anna Mae Palmer, 7, all of Ada. Little Miss Chickasaw participants are required to be of ages seven to 11.
Participants in Miss Chickasaw category are required to be of ages 17 to 25.
In addition, 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 on the Chickasaw Princess Program, call (580) 272-7710 or email
Mary.Hartley@chickasaw.net.
