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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation is now accepting applications for the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition. This year’s competition will be held on Saturday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the ballroom at Northeastern State University.

“We look for a young lady with outstanding leadership qualities and someone who can be a role model for young people,” said Nancy Scott, competition coordinator. “We are always surprised by the quality of contestants that we get. They’re just very talented young people.”

The purpose of the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition is to identify youth leadership to represent the Cherokee Nation. The selected candidate will serve as a goodwill ambassador and messenger to promote the government, history, language and culture of the Cherokee people.

Contestants will be competing for a $3000 grand prize scholarship. The first runner-up will receive a $2000 scholarship and the second runner-up will receive a $1000 scholarship.

Contestants for Miss Cherokee must be between 17 and 22 years of age before the date of the competition. All contestants must be at least ¼ Cherokee and must possess a Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card and be tribal citizens of the Cherokee Nation. Contestants must be high school graduates or have successfully completed a G.E.D. testing program for high school equivalency. Contestants must not have been married or have ever cohabitated, not have children or have previously served as Miss Cherokee. They must never have been convicted of any crime nor have any criminal changes pending and must be physically able to fulfill the duties of the position.

Miss Cherokee contestants will be judged in several categories including: interview, platform presentation, social demeanor, tribal knowledge and a portfolio of leadership and community service activities.

Applications for the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition are available by contacting Nancy Scott at (918) 456-0671 ext. 2259 or on the Cherokee Nation website at www.cherokee.org. Applications must be submitted to the Cherokee Nation by mail and must be postmarked by Friday, July 30. Hand-delivered or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org