Contestants to vie for Choctaw Royalty titles

Haleigh Gibson

Madison Ward

The Choctaw Nation Princess Pageant will kick off the annual Labor Day Festival in Tvshka Homma with 25 young ladies taking the stage to vie for the title of Little Miss, Junior Miss, or Miss Choctaw Nation 2021-22. The event will be held Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Tvshka Homma amphitheatre.

District 1

Little Miss Kristin Faith Jefferson of Idabel is the 11-year-old daughter of Paul and Whitney Jefferson. Kristin is a sixth-grader at Idabel Middle School.

She has been on the Honor Roll for five years, a Choctaw Star student for four years and earned perfect attendance in 2020-21. She won the State Superintendent Reading Award, Math Award, AR Reading Award for two years, and Citizenship Award for five years. She also received the 2016-17 Masonic Lodge Student of Today Award. Her hobbies include attending church, reading, playing softball, riding her bike, and spending time with her family.

District 2

Little Miss Milena Amos of Broken Bow is the 9-year-old daughter of Dayla Amos and Joshua Riley. She is in the fourth grade at Lukfata Elementary School, where she has been on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll for three years. Milena has earned awards for AR points, reading, math, and spelling achievement. She is a Choctaw STAR student with all A’s and perfect attendance, a Native American Indian Club member, and was named to the 2021 Broken Bow 10U All-Star Softball team. Milena has been a Broken Bow School of Dance member for five years and studies ballet, tap, jazz, clogging, acrobatics, and baton twirling. She enjoys learning how to play the piano, singing, and playing softball and basketball. Each Spring, Milena plants a garden with her great-grandmother, and they share their vegetables with elders in the community. Milena attends White Sands United Methodist Church in Valliant. She enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Junior Miss Kayla Ward of Broken Bow is the 17-year-old daughter of Tony and Amy Ward. She is a senior at Broken Bow High School, where she is on the honor roll and a Choctaw STAR student. Kayla is a Kiamichi Technology Center honor society member and a two-year member of Broken Bow High School’s softball and basketball teams. Kayla likes to spend time with her family, sing traditional Choctaw hymns, go to all-night Choctaw singings, speak her Choctaw language, and help in her community. She also likes to play softball and hang out with her friends.

Senior Miss Chasity Aaron of Broken Bow is the 19-year-old daughter of Bobby and Cynthia Shomo. Chasity is a 2020 graduate of Broken Bow High School. She was the 2020 AILYC Senior Class Princess and in 2021, assisted Katie Baker in helping AILYC learn the Lord’s Prayer. Chasity was also first runner-up Owa Chito Choctaw Senior Princess in 2019. She enjoys listening to music, playing stickball, listening and learning to speak and sing hymns in the Choctaw language, participating in Choctaw social dances and Choctaw stickball exhibitions, and spending time with her family and friends.

District 3

Little Miss Emma Ray Battiest of Talihina is 13 years old and the daughter of Jimmy Battiest and Heather Ramsey. An eighth-grader at Talihina Junior High, she received Student of the Month for April 2021. Among her favorite ways to spend leisure time are painting and drawing. She has been drawing since she was four years old. Emma also enjoys playing stickball with Yvnnvsh Homma, learning to fastpitch from her Dad, and playing basketball.

District 4

Little Miss Dalani Hornbuckle is the 13-year-old daughter of Jimi Hornbuckle and Dan Davies. She is a 7th-grader at Poteau where she is a Choctaw Star, on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll, and a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Dalani enjoys playing stickball for Yvnnvsh Homma, Poteau youth wrestling, and spending time with family.

Junior Miss Graiclyn Rain Dorsey is the 15-year-old daughter of Brad and Krista Dorsey. She lives in Howe and is in 10th grade at Howe High School. Graiclyn is a Principal’s Honor Roll student, varsity cheerleader co-captain, and has won numerous dance competition awards. Graiclyn enjoys dance lessons and is a youth dance instructor. She is involved in FCS, tumbling classes, and is a youth sponsor for a children’s church camp.

Senior Miss Madison Jade Cossey of Spiro is the 19-year-old daughter of Karla McGee. She is a junior at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, where she is majoring in psychology. Jade is also employed at Mazzio’s.

District 6

Little Miss Omba Lynn Ramsey of Wilburton is the 8-year-old daughter of Michael and Heather Ramsey. She is a second-grader at Grace Russell Elementary. Omba was a contestant in the Spelling Bee for second grade. Omba spends her time on her laptop and looking through drawing tutorials. She loves playing with her siblings, basketball and stickball for Yvnnvsh Homma. Her mom is a shooter for Tvshka Homma Ohoyo. Omba likes reading to her baby sister, Kitsey, and playing with her ofi, Shoop.

Junior Miss Greenlee McClain of Wilburton is the 17-year-old daughter of Heather Pugh and stepdad Justin Pugh and the granddaughter of Delona Jones. She is a senior at Wilburton High School. Greenlee loves to spend most of her time playing basketball, hanging out with friends, and going swimming. She also attends the Labor Day Festival every year and enjoys cultural events. She loves to watch her brother, Kayd, play baseball and her other brother, Korbin, play football. Greenlee volunteers her time helping people and babysits in her spare time.

Senior Miss Riley Isabell of Wilburton is 19 years old and a 2021 graduate of McAlester High School. She held first chair in band from 6th through 12th grade, during which she held superior ratings. Riley also placed in the Top 10 at the Bixby 5A Golf Tournament during her sophomore year and had a story place first at the Native American language fair. Riley spends her free time with friends and family, especially playing and running around with her 5-year-old cousin.

District 7

Little Miss Akeiley Francis Willis of Wright City is 13 years old and the daughter of Kerry Willis and the late Christina Willis. She is a student at Wright City Junior High. Akeiley is an honor roll student, named most improved student by JOM, has earned multiple patches in Girl Scouts, and has medaled in track.

She enjoys playing sports, especially softball, basketball, and stickball. She enjoys going to Choctaw Nation summer camps and meeting new people. She likes art and to draw and paint. She is in drama and likes to sing, dance, and act. Akeiley likes to sew, bead, and make rubber band bracelets. She also likes to bake cakes with her grandma and play with her niece, Lilly.

Senior Miss Mika Taylor is the 19-year-old daughter of Martha and Hobie Taylor, born and raised in Sobol. She is a 2020 graduate of Rattan High School and is currently employed at the Choctaw Nation Casino in Idabel. She was an A and B honor roll student. While at Rattan High School, she played softball all four years. Her team won two state rings back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. She plans to pursue a career in therapy or nursing because she enjoys assisting others in times of need. Mike likes to spend time with family and friends. She loves to hang out with her boyfriend and his mom and work at the casino in Idabel.

District 8

Little Miss Embery Faith Ensey of Soper is the 9-year-old daughter of Hailey and Steven Ensey. Embery goes to school at Bennington Elementary, where she will be in the fifth grade this fall. During the past year, Embery received an award for all A’s and several participation awards in school activities, including gymnastics, dance, piano, rodeo, basketball and softball. She is an honor roll student, Super Speller, and participated in community nutrition education. Embery loves to dance, play softball, and spend time with her family and friends. She also enjoys swimming, camping, and occasionally hunting. Embery is the granddaughter of the late Roy and Lorelei Ensey, and Ann and Jimmy Minyard. She is the great-granddaughter of Joyce Tran. She has one sister, Aria, and two brothers, Styles and Rhett.

Senior Miss Josie Elaine Frazier of Hugo is the 20-year-old daughter of Michele and Darren Frazier. Josie is a Junior at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where she is majoring in English Education. She is the Content Specialist/Editor for the SOSU Magazine “Campus Note.” Her honors and recognitions include being a presenter at the 2020 Humanities Education and Research Association Conference, two-time Cobell Scholar recipient, SOSU President’s Leadership Class, 2019-20 SOSU Top 10 Freshmen, a Dorothy Wilson Jefferson Scholarship recipient, Vice President of Finance for Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, member of Southeastern Alumni Legacy Leaders, Choctaw Nation FYI, Camp Chahta, and College Freshman Success. Josie is the only youth member of the Oklahoma Suicide Prevention Council. She volunteers with the Southeastern Peer Education Support Group for Stress Management and J127. She loves reading and can usually be found with a book in her hands. She loves animals, Mexican food, traveling to new places and experiencing other cultures. She is also passionate about teaching and Native American issues and advocacy.

District 9

Little Miss Kiree Louis of Calera is the 9-year-old daughter of Shelly Louis. She is a fourth-grader at Durant Intermediate School and a member of the Principal’s Honor Roll. Kiree has also received the Northwest Heights Principal Paw Award for good character and the Kiwanis Terrific Kids Award for a positive attitude, good character, and responsible citizenship. She is a Choctaw STAR and attends Choctaw language class. She likes to play softball, basketball and stickball. Kiree also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending Choctaw summer camps, and softball training throughout the year. She attends Victory Life Church in Durant, volunteers time to St. William Catholic Church for food distribution, and volunteers to serve meals to the homeless in her community.

Junior Miss Kenzie Wilson of Durant is the 17-year-old daughter of Pam Wilson. She is a senior at Durant High School. She made All District honor band and received 1st chair honors, sweet states award, 1sts at solo and ensemble in district and state, and has received the outstanding band kid award and super attendance. She was selected to travel to Europe with the Durant High School Band. Kenzie enjoys painting, singing, sleeping, and hanging out with her friends and family.
Senior Miss Haleigh Gibson, 19, of Durant is the daughter of Jennifer and Jeff Gibson. She graduated from Durant High School this year, was a member of the Principal’s Honor Roll and had four years with FCCLA. She served as an FCCLA chapter officer for two years. She placed first in State and solo ensembles. Haleigh enjoys spending her leisure time with her family. Haleigh had the opportunity to assist with making cornhusk dolls to be taken to Ireland as gifts from the Choctaw Nation. She is very family-oriented. While relaxing, she is always beading or searching for a new project to bead.

District 10

Little Miss Skylar Bryant of Atoka is the 8-year-old daughter of Tiffany and Jeff Bryant. She will be in the third grade this fall at Atoka Elementary School. Skylar has received the citizenship award and was on the honor roll. In track, she placed first in her division in each area she competed – the 50-meter dash, relay, 400-meter and softball throw. She plays 8U softball and enjoys playing with her friends along with hanging out with family. If Skylar isn’t playing, she loves to cheer on her siblings.

Junior Miss Adelyn Ciani Brown of Caddo is the 14-year-old daughter of Sherri Lynn Brown and Kristin Lee Brown. She completed the eighth grade this spring at Caney Public School. Adelyn is Southeast District I FCCLA Vice President, a local FCCLA officer, has participated in STAR events at district and state level, a member of the Principal’s Honor Roll all during middle school and elementary, and awarded Spotlight on Projects second place at state. She volunteered during the pandemic handing out and delivering meals to students. One of Adelyn’s favorite things to do is to be outside. She loves being in nature and playing with her dogs, Bandit, Boots, and Cowboy or her cat, Toothless. She also enjoys playing basketball during her free time. She loves spending time with her cousins from Texas and Kansas at her Nana and Papa’s house.

Senior Miss Kamryn Baker of Atoka is the 19-year-old daughter of Michelle Holt and Wayne Baker. She is a 2021 graduate of Atoka High School, where she placed first at regionals for choir and received a graduation card for being a blood donor. Kamryn was also chosen to attend the annual Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) conference in Oklahoma City and Dallas. She had the privilege of being chosen to be in a sculpture for the new Choctaw Nation Cultural Center. Kamryn enjoys spending time playing with her dog. She loves to play volleyball, stickball, and cornhole with her family. Before the pandemic, she enjoyed traveling to different states. Most importantly, she loves to spend time with her family creating new memories. She spends a lot of her days singing Choctaw hymns.

District 11

Little Miss Sophia Danielle McFarland of Hartshorne is the 10-year-old daughter of Crystal and Daniel McFarland. She is in the fifth grade at Hartshorne North Ward. Sophia was voted “best listener” in her class last school year. She was also selected Student of the Week and Student of the Month. Sophia excels in reading and math in school. Sophia sings in church and has appeared in many church plays. Sophia is always on the move. She enjoys playing sports like softball and basketball. Sophia spends a lot of time outdoors. She rides four-wheelers with her sister, plants flowers and vegetables with her dad, and goes on family hikes. Her very favorite thing to do is spend time with her family.

Junior Miss Jenessa Faith Dugger of Hartshorne is the 15-year-old daughter of Michele and Jerry Dugger. She is in the 11th grade at Haileyville School.Jenessa has received 6th grade Student of the Year, Junior High School Student of the Year, Oklahoma Junior Honor Society, Junior High Honor Escort, first place in Southeast District Speech Contest, and Eastern Oklahoma State College America Meteorologist Society award. She was eighth-grade valedictorian, a representative for her freshman and sophomore classes, 4-H county ambassador, 4-H state ambassador, Pittsburg County fourth annual 4-H banquet decoration chairman, 4-H club president for four years, county 4-H officer for two years, and the Pittsburg County Outstanding 4-Her. She enjoys cheerleading, working her pig for stock shows, choreographing dances to perform at Hartshorne Liberty Theatre, participating in lots of 4-H events, including puppet shows for kids and instructional videos, and volunteers for Vacation Bible School. Jenessa also enjoys the Native American Club, learning about Choctaw culture, and learning the Choctaw language. She loves to go camping with her dad and spending time with her siblings. Farmers Market, watching Netflix, visiting with friends, and painting.

Senior Miss Madison Ward of McAlester is the 19-year-old daughter of Amanda and Jason Holt and the late Jamie Ward. She is a 2020 graduate of McAlester High School and is currently a sophomore at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is majoring in art education. Madison was McAlester High School’s Art Club Vice President and had two merit art pieces in the Oklahoma State Fair. When she isn’t doing schoolwork, Madison is painting and drawing, hanging out with friends, spending time with family, or watching movies.

District 12

Junior Miss Candis Battice-Louis of Coalgate is the 14-year-old daughter of Jolee and Micah Louis. She is a 9th-grade student at Coalgate. She has been on the A&B honor roll, MVP in 2018 for softball, received first place for best pro-game in her youth. She also received first place for a better speaker for church. Candis spends time studying and playing stickball, softball, basketball, track, cross country, and cheer. She attends church and enjoys her Bible studies. When she isn’t doing these things, she spends time with friends and family and helps her mom with her brother.