First and foremost, I would like to give thanks to the Creator for giving me this great opportunity to represent our tribe. I am honored to be chosen for this position and will do my best to fulfill my duties in this position. I am looking forward to the year ahead.
I had a wonderful experience with all the junior miss contestants; everyone did a great job! I am grateful for Kara and Candy Martin, Molly Grant and the pageant board for all their hard work in putting the pageant together.
I would like to thank my family and friends who helped with my pageant regalia, costs and support: my grandma, Tina Irwin, for my regalia and other costs; my grandpa, Goodlow Bark, with End of the Trail Horseback Riding for sponsorship, banner and the horses for the parade; Nancy Ledford for my beautiful cape and moccasins; Stephanie Maney for the skirt/leggings/shirts and candy; Ernie and Lynn Lossiah for sponsorship and the Pendleton; Karen George for my beautiful belt; Eliza Reed and Chris McCoy with Cherokee Historical Association for sponsorship and accessories; Leigh-Anne Ledford for the awesome belts; Karyl Frankiewicz for the silver and all your guidance; Missy Ledford of CBC printing for my banner; Bearmeat’s Indian Den for sponsorship; Julius Taylor and Kim Smith for loaning me your basket and earrings; Kevonna/Jiah/Shalina for assisting me in the parade; and members of our community for donations and participating in my 50/50 (winner: E. Arch); and all my family and friends for all the support and encouragement. I am very blessed to have each and every one of you in my life!
Sgi,
Raylen Bark
2013 Junior Miss Cherokee
