By: Lani Hansen, Senior Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma– The 2021 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Scholarship Pageant will be held virtually this year to continue safety measures.
According to the Mvskoke Royalty Facebook page, the pageant was created to provide an educational scholarship opportunity for young Mvskoke women. Through this pageant Mvskoke women develop their sense of self confidence, poise, public speaking skills, social skills, further cultural knowledge and knowledge of Muscogee history, customs and traditions.
Weeks before pageant time, the royalty coordinator and committee gathered the contestants for a weekend of retreat. This year the royalty retreat was held at the College of the Muscogee Nation. The theme name was ‘Royaltea Retreat.’
“We named it Royaltea, with a tea setting for our girls like they were going to a tea,” Royalty Coordinator LuAnn Bear said. “We had different classes to get them ready. They were given handouts over impromptu questions, what to expect and what not to do. We gave a quiz and essay which gets them ready for the pageant.”
Some of the past royalty joined the retreat and was able to provide feedback and information of what their experience was like. Bear said the girls felt at ease when the past royalty spoke to them and provided guidance.
As the coordinator, Bear wants to make sure “the pageant this year is easy on the eyes so people can watch it.” The pageant is going to be online only due to COVID-19 policies. Bear said they have six young ladies who will be competing this year in the pageant.
“Because this is a scholarship pageant, the winners will receive money,” Bear said about the Miss and Jr. Miss pageant. “They receive a silver crown to borrow until the end of term, a beaded crown, a trophy, a sash, a pendleton blanket, a cedar crown box to carry the crowns in, a backpack and dufflebag. Later on they will get a jacket.”
The role of the Miss and Jr. Miss is to serve as the ambassadors of the Muscogee Nation. They are to serve as ambassadors of education, promote their platform, be a role model and inspiration to others, relate well to people of all ages, make personal appearances and do public speaking.
The pageant will be held on Friday, June 4 at 7 p.m. It will be broad cast live on Youtube at Mvskoke Youth channel.
