By MISS CHEROKEE 2011 KRISTINA HYATT
Miss Cherokee 2011 Kristina Hyatt (left) performs with the members of the Warriors of Anikituwah at the N.C. Museum of History on Nov. 18, 2011 in honor of Native American Heritage Month. (Photo contributed)
The past several months have been very busy. Not only have I been fulfilling Miss Cherokee duties, I was a full-time student at UNCA and taking classes at A-B Tech. This report entails what has been going on in my reign from the time I was crowned thru December.
October
The day after being crowned Miss Cherokee, I enjoyed a nice luncheon with members of the Royalty Board at the Chestnut Tree Inn where I signed the Miss Cherokee contract. On Monday, Oct. 3, I attended the inauguration of tribal leaders. It was a very beautiful and heart touching ceremony. Congratulations to each of you and may God continue to bless the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians!
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, I participated in the Cherokee Fair parade, which was the first parade of my reign. I also attended the Fair each night where I enjoyed the events, delicious food, watching the pageants and socializing with visiting royalty, locals and out of town visitors.
November
Miss Cherokee poses with Haley Smith, Little Miss Cherokee contestant, at the Cherokee Indian Fair in October 2011.
November is Native American Heritage month and I was invited to participate in several events. I participated with Matt Tooni and his group of dancers and performed traditional Cherokee dances on the campus of UNCA. I also made an appearance at the opening of the WCU Native American Expo in Cullowhee.
On Nov. 5, I attended the Cherokee Heritage Day event at the Ramsey House Plantation in Knoxville, Tennessee where I participated in traditional dances with the Cherokee Historical dancers.
On Nov. 18, I participated in the celebration honoring the 40th Anniversary of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. The following day I participated in the 16th annual American Indian Heritage celebration at the NC Museum of Natural History. I enjoyed assisting the Anikituwa Warriors in demonstrating our traditional Cherokee dances. I also attended a reception at the Governor’s Mansion and met the Governor herself. It was a wonderful experience and the hospitality while in Raleigh was wonderful.
On the 23rd, I was in attendance for a brief ceremony at the Fairgrounds when the Capitol Christmas tree made a stop in Cherokee on its way to Washington, DC. I presented an ornament on behalf of the EBCI.
December
Miss Cherokee at Christmas Bazaar with Santa Chris Watty and other characters.
On Dec. 2, I assisted with a food drive sponsored by Food Lion at the Christmas Bazaar. I participated in several holiday parades including Cherokee, Waynesville, and Sylva. The Cherokee Royalty float received second place in the Cherokee parade. I would like to thank the Royalty Board for taking time to decorate.
On Dec. 17, I graduated from the University of North Carolina Asheville with a bachelor’s degree in Management. I am thankful for all the prayers, love, and support from family and friends.
It was a real blessing to have had the opportunity to attend the Tsali Care Christmas party. I helped with the gifts and visited with the residents. I also delivered Christmas cards to the residents that were handmade by Straight Fork Baptist Church youth. I would like to encourage each of you to take time to go and visit with them sometime. They really do enjoy company.
Again, I would like to say this is an honor to represent the Eastern Band and request your prayers for my family and me. All of the eligible young ladies out there should really consider competing for the title of Miss Cherokee 2012. It has so much to offer and is an opportunity you should not let pass by. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or are interested in competing.
I would also like to add that anyone wishing to invite me to an event, please contact Jean Bushyhead at 828-736-4022.
May God bless you all. Sgi.
