By: Lani Hansen, Senior Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma– The 2021 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Scholarship pageant took place on June 4 virtually.
The pageant started with introductions from the Jr. Miss MCN contestants, following was the explanations of their traditional clothing. There was three young ladies who competed for the title. The three contestants were Gabrielle Noriega, Sutv Harjo and Kayton Bruner.
Each of the pageant the contestants performed a traditional talent. Noriega read a poem called “Remember” by Joy Harjo. Sutv Harjo prepared a powerpoint presentation on lessons of bow making. She was accepted into the 2019 Summer Youth Arts Mentorship, where she was taught by her mentor John John Brown on how to make a long bow. Bruner performed an instrumental to Amazing Grace.
The final category for the Jr. Miss competition was the impromptu questions. Each contestant had to answer a question with their best response that was drawn from a basket.
In the next portion of the pageant, the Miss MCN categories was laid out the same as the Jr. Miss. There was two contestants who competed for the Miss MCN title, Claudia McHenry and Tema Yargee.
Each contestant shared their traditional talent. McHenry delivered a story of “How Deer Fooled Rabbit.” Yargee read a poem called “Ribbons” which she wrote herself, inspired by how important her ceremonial grounds are to her.
Just like the Jr. Miss portion, in the final category the Miss MCN contestants had to answer an impromptu question.
Jr. Miss MCN Jadyn Randall presented a farewell presentation at the end of the pageant before the announcement of the new princesses.
The Miss Congeniality award was presented to McHenry. In the Jr. Miss MCN portion, Bruner received first runner-up and in the Miss MCN portion Yargee received first runner-up.
The new 2021-2022 Jr. Miss MCN went to Gabrielle Noriega, and the 2021-2022 Miss MCN is Claudia McHenry. They made their first appearance on June 9 during the drive-by reception, which was in front of the MCN Executive building.
