"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Glass Crowned Miss Cherokee

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Hoping to represent the Cherokee Nation and its citizens in the upcoming year, five young women recently vied for the title of Miss Cherokee, but only one could be named the winner.

Lindsay Glass of Kansas, Oklahoma, won the Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition and was crowned during the State of the Nation Address on Saturday, September 1. First runner-up was Sarah Holcomb of Vian and the second runner-up was Kinsey Shade of Briggs.

“It means a lot to be regarded enough by the judges to win this competition,” said Glass. “I’m thankful to have the opportunity to represent the Cherokee people in coming year. I look forward to all of my responsibilities as Miss Cherokee.”

Lindsay is the daughter of Leonard and Angie Glass of Kansas. She currently attends Bacone College and would like to pursue a career in nursing. Lindsay serves as a volunteer at the nursery in her church and enjoys basket weaving and playing cultural games. She enjoys working with children and promotes mentoring programs.

“I believe that it is very important for all children to feel special and to have at least one positive influence in their life, which is why I support the mission of mentoring programs,” said Glass. “I feel that it is very important for all children to have a chance to succeed in life and these programs help do just that. They are the future and if they are given the tools and the chance to succeed, then they may help to better our communities and our nation as a whole. If we can reach just one child, others will see how much better their life has become and perhaps will want to change theirs for the better as well.”

First runner-up, Sarah Holcomb of Vian, is the daughter of Mitch and Sherry Holcomb. Enrolled at Northeastern State University, Sarah is majoring in nursing. In her spare time, Sarah volunteers at the Cherokee Nation Child Development Center and enjoys beading, stomp dances and weaving baskets.

Kinsey Shade, of the Briggs community, was named second runner-up. Kinsey is the daughter of Bobby and Ruth Ann Shade. She attends Northeastern State University and is majoring in Mass Communications. Kinsey enjoys storytelling, gathering traditional food and basket weaving.

“I am so proud of all of our contestants,” said Nancy Scott, event coordinator. “This year the competition was tough and each participant would have made a wonderful Miss Cherokee.”

The role of Miss Cherokee is to represent the Cherokee Nation as a goodwill ambassador and to serve as a messenger to promote the government, history, language and culture of the Cherokee people.

Each year the winner and the runners-up are awarded a scholarship to fund their educational goals. The winner received a $3000, the first runner-up was awarded $2000 in scholarship money and the second runner-up received $1000.

“I would encourage eligible young women to start thinking about competing in next year’s competition right now,” said Scott. “It is never too early to start planning. This is a wonderful way to uphold the culture and traditions of our Cherokee heritage. Again I want to congratulate all of our participants. They are each winners in my opinion.”