Miss Cherokee Madison Crowe (foreground right) poses with Junior Miss Cherokee Raylen Bark at the Annual Harvest 5K at the Acquoni Expo Center on Oct. 10. (Photo by Radonna Crowe)
By MADISON CROWE
MISS CHEROKEE 2013
Hello, my name is Madison Katarina Crowe. I am the 20-year-old daughter of Peanut and Radonna Crowe. I reside in the Wolftown community with my parents and my younger brother Tagan. I am a proud member of the Wolf Clan. I am a 2011 graduate of Cherokee High School, and I am currently a junior at Mars Hill University. I am very excited to have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Miss Cherokee 2013 Madison Crowe dances with the Warriors of Anikituwa during the opening ceremonies of the USET Annual Meeting held at Harrah’s Cherokee Resort on Oct. 31. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
This is my first report as Miss Cherokee, and I have been very busy representing our Tribe attending and speaking at various community events since I was crowned.
Sept. 28 – Miss Cherokee Pageant: I was crowned as Miss Cherokee 2013! What an amazing moment!
Sept. 29 – Miss Cherokee Contract Signing: In front of my family and my Pageant Board, I officially became Miss Cherokee. In addition to always remembering signing my contract, I will always remember that our water went out that morning and we had to get ready at my grandparent’s house!
With the EBCI Pageant Board looking on, Miss Cherokee Madison Crowe signs her contract. (Photo by Radonna Crowe)
Oct. 1-5 – Cherokee Indian Fair: On Oct. 1, I participated in the parade and the opening ceremony. On Oct. 2, I rode carnival rides with the children during Children’s Day and attended the Little Miss Cherokee Pageant. On Oct. 3, I attended the Junior Miss Cherokee Pageant and the Uncle Kracker Concert. On Oct. 4, I spoke at the Cherokee Central Schools Debt Payoff Ceremony, attended the Veteran’s Day Celebration and attended the Teen Miss Cherokee Pageant.
Oct. 10 – Annual Harvest 5K: Participated in the 5K race and assisted with the awards ceremony. All proceeds went to the Madison Hornbuckle Children’s Cancer Foundation.
Oct. 14 – Little, Junior, and Teen Miss Contract Signing: Attended the Official Contract Signing for Little, Junior, and Teen Miss Cherokee.
Miss Cherokee gives an award to a small runner at the Annual Harvest 5K on Oct. 10. (Photo by Radonna Crowe)
Oct. 27-28 – U.S.E.T.: Attended the Opening Reception with a private concert by country recording artist Justin Moore. I attended and spoke at the Opening Ceremony. I challenged attendees to think about how the decisions made today are going to impact the next seven generations. I also performed Traditional Cherokee Dances with the Warriors of Anikituwah.
Oct. 30 – Ned Long Day: Attended the Junaluska Leadership Council Ned Long Day Celebration where Amy Thompson, Dorothy Swimmer, Peewee Crowe, and Maggie Owl received Distinguished Citizen awards and Kate Cooper received the Cristyn Jones Youth Leadership Award.
Upcoming Christmas Parade Appearances: Dec. 1 in Franklin, Dec. 6 in Gatlinburg, Dec. 7 in Cherokee, Dec. 10 in Waynesville, and Dec. 14 in Robbinsville.
Preparing to become Miss Cherokee doesn’t happen overnight and one can certainly not do everything on their own. I had a lot of support from my family and friends through this journey! I would like to say thank you to all of those people who helped me before, during, and after my pageant and to those who help me now! Rosie McCoy, Dan McCoy, Connor McCoy, Tsini McCoy, Katlin Bradley, Jennifer Bigmeat, Kayla Crowe, Candy Crowe, Sam Crowe, Carr Crowe, Samantha Hernandez, Manuel Hernandez, Samuel Hernandez, Morgan Hernandez, Kaiser Hernandez, Mamaw Mickie Crowe, Papaw Peewee Crowe, Dick Crowe, Ellen Crowe, Riley Crowe, Ian Crowe, Dali Crowe, Livi Crowe, Bo Crowe, Kim Crowe, Boie Crowe, Kinley Crowe, Nana Wahnetah Stamper, Pa Ned Stamper, Jessie Smith, Buford Smith, Renissa Walker, Myrtle Johnson, Wesley Bird, Jessica Armachain, James Armachain, Dyami Saunooke, Jaymsey Armachain, Thomas Armachain, Candy Martin, Kara Martin, Nancy Pheasant, Richard Saunooke, Ray Ferguson, Jordan Maney, Sew Tsalagi Nancy & Johnny Ruth Maney, Karen George, Deb West, the Miss Cherokee Pageant Board, Principal Chief’s Office, and my sponsors: Cool Waters Motel, Crowe’s Sno to Go, and Cherokee Arts and Crafts Supply.
I would also like to thank my mom, my brother, Tagan, and especially my dad! The week before my pageant, my dad had a heart attack and had to have a six by-pass surgery. He wasn’t able to go to the pageant, but I knew that he was cheering me on from home. Mom recorded it so that he could watch when we got home. I remember seeing him for the first time after the pageant and he was smiling as much as I was. I was so happy to see him! He hugged me and told me that he was proud of me, and that he knew I had done an excellent job and that he loved me! Thanks Dad I Love You!
Watch the Cherokee One Feather for future Miss Cherokee reports. I have been having a very busy and exciting November and have many events booked for December. Contact information for Miss Cherokee: (828)736-4022 or e-mail hbbradjean@gmail.com. For up to the minute reports and appearances Like me on Facebook Miss Cherokee Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. May God Bless You and Happy Holidays!
