CROWNED: Raylen Bark reacts after being selected as the Teen Miss Cherokee 2017-18 during a pageant at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Oct. 4. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
I am greatly honored to represent our Nation as the 2017-18 Teen Miss Cherokee. I am very thankful for all the support from family and friends and I am blessed to receive such positive comments from members of the community. I am excited to be an ambassador for the Eastern Band of Cherokee.
I would like to give thanks and recognition to those who helped me with pageant preparations: My grandma Tina Irwin for sponsorship and helping with my outfits, my uncle Joey Fliesaway for sponsorship from WillWin youth organization, my mother Shannon and auntie Shawnee for coaching me along the way, my papaw Goodlow for working with me on my Cherokee language and Shalaya Williams for the backstage help.
Thanks to Sew Tsalagi for making my beautiful outfits, Karen George for my intricate oblique belt and Gabe Crow for my customized white oak basket.
I would also like to thank Tori Teesateskie for letting me ride on your car in the parade; my parade crew – Suri, Deante, Meli, Tori, Shelby and Timiyah for throwing candy; Sara and Tommy T for making sure we looked good in the parade; and to all that donated candy – Sasha Watty/Recreation Department, Kim Saunooke, Micala Arch, Kevin Primo, and Bo Crowe.
I couldn’t have done this without any of you all!
Thank you so much!
Raylen Bark
Teen Miss Cherokee 2017-18
