Miss Cherokee Taylor Wilnoty (center) is shown at the annual Senior Celebration held on May 24. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Wilnoty)
By TAYLOR WILNOTY
MISS CHEROKEE 2014
Siyo nigada! Hello everyone! I hope you all have enjoyed the month of May as much as I have! I have had a very busy month within our community, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! On May 1, I had two amazing walks to support our community. The first walk was the 11th Annual Elders walk for all our amazing elders in Cherokee. The second walk was the 4th Annual Aubrey Littlejohn Walk for Child Abuse! Both walks were for great causes, both young and old! I was honored to attend both, and show my support by walking!
On May 2, I had another eventful day! My first event of the day was Kolvnvyi Day where members from the community came out to enjoy a day of stickball and food. All the proceeds that were raised through auctions and ticket sales went to our very own Cherokee Cancer Support Group! My next event was our Annual Relay For Life event where groups from the community came out to show their support for cancer patients, survivors or those that have passed on. It was such an amazing feeling to be at both events showing my support for our community fighting against cancer!
May 8 was our Cherokee Tribal Council Awards Day where I, along with Tribal Council representatives, got to present students with awards for their outstanding achievements in academics. I was so proud to see how many EBCI children were presented with these awards, and I want to encourage them to always strive for this award every year. I was also excited to present an award to my little brother, Dawson Wilnoty! I am one proud sister!
I had a few weeks off before my next event, which took place May 21. That was the 24th Annual Senior Celebration. This event was to celebrate all our elders, not only in Cherokee but all of western North Carolina. It was such an amazing event to experience, and although they’re our elders you would have never know with how they acted! It was like they were young again, and I was happy to see them enjoy the festivities!
My last event was one I will never forget – the very first New Kituwah Academy 5th Grade Graduation! I was beyond honored to attend this event and beyond humbled to have been requested by the kids! These kids were the very first class in the Kituwah classes, and have been together for many years, growing, learning, and speaking the language. They’re the key to a brighter future for our people and I am so happy I got to be there with them to experience this milestone! Congratulations kids!
I would also like to congratulate all 2015 graduates! You all have worked so hard and will go very far in life! I can’t wait to see what the next chapter in your life holds!
If you would like for me to attend an event, please contact Tooter Owens with your request.
