Miss Cherokee Tonya Carroll is shown with Victor Wildcatt at the Indian Village in Tahlequah, Okla. (Photo by Jan Smith)
By TONYA CARROLL
MISS CHEROKEE 2010
Siyo, this is my final report as your Miss Cherokee 2010. On October 1, 2011 the Miss Cherokee 2011 will be crowned at the Cultural Arts Center on the campus of Cherokee Central Schools. Below you will find the appearances I made during the last two months of my reign.
On Thursday, Aug. 4, I was honored to attend and provide light refreshments at the monthly Cancer Support Group meeting in Cherokee. I want to thank everyone who was in attendance at the meeting for everything they do to help our people fighting and surviving cancer.
On the morning of Saturday, Aug. 6, I volunteered at the Talking Trees Trout Derby at Oconaluftee Island Park. I was able to meet and greet the fishermen and give out door prize tickets.
Following the Trout Derby, I attended the Cherokee Days of Recognition at Red Clay State Historic Park on Sunday, Aug. 7. I want to thank Ranger Erin Medley for hosting me and my family and all of the Eastern Band members that went and participated in this event.
Miss Cherokee Tonya Carroll performs the Cherokee Corn Dance with the Oconaluftee Indian Village Traditional Dancers at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum near Vonore, Tenn. (Photo by Jan Smith)
I want to also thank Tony Wolfe for giving me the opportunity to tell a Cherokee legend “Why the Opossum’s Tail is Bare,” to the children at the United Methodist Church on Sunday, Aug. 14.
On Monday, Aug. 15, I was honored to be a guest at the meeting of the American Legion Steve Youngdeer Post 143. I was able to present them with some photos and a gift basket. I want to thank Warren Dupree and all of the veterans for their service to our country, our tribe and the community. It has been an honor to get to know this group of men during my reign.
On Wednesday, Aug. 24, I had the opportunity to visit the Seven Clans Dialysis Center patients and take them some refreshments with Teen Miss Cherokee Ani Cedillo. We also visited the New Kituwah Academy that day where we told legends, sang songs, and toured the school. The staff, parents and students at the immersion school are doing a terrific job keeping our language alive. Later the same day I visited the Fourth Grade at the Mountain Discovery Charter School in Bryson City to show them some Cherokee social dances and tell them a few of our stories. I want to thank Sam Otter and everyone else who helped with these three appearances.
Miss Cherokee Tonya Carroll is shown at the Blue Spring at Red Clay State Historic Park in Tennessee. (Photo by Jan Smith)
Friday and Saturday Aug. 26-27, I attended the Festival of Native Peoples at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. I really enjoyed participating in the different dances and meeting all the performers from around the Americas. The staff of Travel and Promotions, the Fairgrounds and all the volunteers did a great job organizing the event.
From Sept. 1-6, I was in Oklahoma for the Choctaw Princess Pageants and the Cherokee National Holidays. This was one of the best trips of my reign.
On Sept. 10-11, I went to the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, Tennessee for the Great Island Festival. I had fun dancing with different groups from Cherokee. I want to thank everyone from Cherokee that went and represented the Eastern Band.
The Southeast Tribes Festival organized by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian was held on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17. It was a fun event to get to be a part of and I think the Museum staff and all volunteers that helped with the event did a great job.
On Sunday, Sept. 18, I was honored to get to cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of the Elvis Museum in Cherokee. This museum is a must see for everyone and it is free! It is open Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm September 18-October 31. Thanks to everyone who came out for the Elvis impersonator concert and the hard work of Dee Smith who made the Elvis Museum a reality.
On Friday, Sept. 23, I rode in my last parade as Miss Cherokee 2010 in Robbinsville. I want to express my gratitude to Marcia Hollifield for inviting me to participate.
My last appearances as Miss Cherokee will be the banquet dinner for the Little Miss, Junior Miss and Teen Miss Cherokee contestants and the banquet for the Miss Cherokee 2011 contestants. It was a great way to finish out my reign.
I want to thank the Royalty Board and their families for all they did to help with my reign this year. They are very dedicated to the Miss Cherokee each and every year and go out of their way to do all they can to make the reign easier. I also want to thank the staff at the Cherokee One Feather for helping me keep the community aware of the appearances and activities I have made on its behalf. I also want to thank my family, friends, co-workers and supervisor for being so supportive this year. Without their help it would have been impossible for me to fulfill my duties as your Miss Cherokee 2010.
In closing, I want to thank the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as a whole. I am left with some amazing memories of my time as Miss Cherokee 2010 and it has been an honor for me to represent you all.
I want to encourage everyone to attend the Miss Cherokee 2011 Pageant on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 6pm in the Cultural Arts Center on the campus of Cherokee Central Schools. Please come out and support our young ladies competing this year. I want to wish all the contestants in this year’s pageants my best.
Thank you and Farewell
