"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Contestants Announced for Miss Cherokee Competition

Five young Cherokee women are competing for the honor of representing the Cherokee Nation throughout the coming year as Miss Cherokee Ambassador. The competition will be held in Tahlequah on Saturday. Left to right: Candace Christie, Jana Henry, Kourtney Vann, Danielle Culp, Callie Vann.

The 2009 Miss Cherokee Ambassador competition will be held Saturday, August 29 at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Fellowship Church located at 718 Pendleton St. in Tahlequah. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

Participants in the competition will be asked to show their leadership attributes by demonstrating their knowledge of cultural activities and skills, a history of community service and leadership and the desire to share those qualities with the public in a gracious, professional manner.

This year, five young Cherokee women are competing for the honor of representing the Cherokee Nation throughout the coming year as Miss Cherokee Ambassador.

Candace Christie, 19, is currently studying to become a psychologist for substance abuse at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Candace helps out with youth as a volunteer in her home community of Tahlequah and is a member of a stomp ground.

Danielle Culp, 19, of Claremore, is actively involved in several different organizations and community service projects. She was a member of the Cherokee Nation Summer Youth Leadership Program and the Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council. Danielle has also been a volunteer for the Rogers County Cherokee Association.

Jana Lynn Henry, 21, of Salina, currently attends Bacone College in Muskogee, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Jana volunteers her time for Salina Public Schools, as well as with the elderly and youth in her community.

Callie E. Vann, 19, is currently attending NSU in Tahlequah. She is a member of the Cherokee National Youth Choir as well as well as several other Cherokee organizations. Callie often volunteers her time in her home community of Hulbert through her church.

Kourtney Vann, 18, of Tahlequah, also attends NSU, where she is majoring in Elementary Education. Kourtney said she feels that being a strong leader and positive role model in her community will encourage others to follow in her footsteps.

Several scholarships will be awarded as part of the competition, including a $3,000 scholarship to the winner, and $2,000 and $1,000 scholarships will be provided to the first and second runners-up respectively.

The purpose of the Miss Cherokee Ambassador Competition is to identify young women with leadership abilities to represent the Cherokee Nation, its citizens and communities. The chosen candidate will serve as a goodwill ambassador and messenger to promote the government, history, language and culture of the Cherokee people.

The new Miss Cherokee Ambassador will be crowned during the 57th Cherokee National Holiday on Saturday, September 5 during the State of the Nation program.