New Chickasaw royalty will be crowned at the annual Chickasaw Princess Pageant, set for 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28 at Ada High School Cougar Activity Center in Ada.

Miss Chickasaw Princess, Junior Miss Chickasaw and Little Miss Chickasaw for 2009-10 will all be crowned during the pageant.

The winners will represent the Chickasaw Nation at functions and events across the country.

“Chickasaw Princesses help keep tribal heritage and culture alive by serving as ambassadors for the Chickasaw Nation. These young ladies also serve as exceptional role models for Chickasaw and Native American youth,” Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said.

Chickasaw Princess candidates are Tisha Cully, Jessie Miller, Catie Newport, and Jodie Turtle, all of Ada. Chickasaw Princess contestants range in age from 17 to 25.

Cully is the 22-year-old daughter of William Gaines, Jr. and Barbara Cully. She is a junior at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Miller, 19, is the daughter of Jeffrey Miller and Shannon Russell Treat. She is a sophomore at East Central University.

Catie, 17, is the daughter of Steve Jacob and Drucilla Decoteau Jacob. She is a senior at Ada High School.

Turtle, 23, is the daughter of Troy and Caren Parnacher Turtle. She is a junior at East Central University.

Two young ladies will vie for the title of Chickasaw Junior Princess; Autumn Underwood, of Latta and Alexis Walker, of Ada. Contestants in the Junior Princess category are 12 to 16 years old.

Autumn, 15, is the daughter of Michael Underwood and Loraine Hamilton Weems. She is in the ninth grade at Latta High School.

Alexis, 13, is the daughter of Darrell and Johnna Ellis Walker. She is in the eighth grade at Ada Junior High School.

Little Miss Chickasaw participants are Cheyanne Arkansas, of Tishomingo, Maegan Carney, of Ardmore, Lauren John, of Ada and Raechell Meely, of Sulphur. These young ladies are seven to 11 years old.

Lauren is the seven-year-old daughter of Thomas and Lisa John. She is a second grader at Hayes Elementary School in Ada.

Contestants will take part in the talent competition, traditional Chickasaw dress, interviewing skills, random questioning, and poise categories during the pageant.

The winners are selected from a panel of judges and crowned by Gov. Anoatubby and Lt. Governor Jefferson Keel.

The 2008-2009 Chickasaw royalty who will be retiring their crowns are Miss Chickasaw Princess Karla Lane; Junior Miss Chickasaw Julie Underwood; and Little Miss Chickasaw Chelsea Wedlow.

“These young ladies have represented their tribe very well during their reigns,” said Gov. Anoatubby.

The Chickasaw Princess heritage dates back to 1963 when Ranell (James) Harry, daughter of former Chickasaw Governor Overton James, was appointed the first princess.

All royalty participants are required to be Chickasaw Nation residents and have at least a one-quarter Chickasaw blood quantum.

Chickasaw royalty hopefuls are also required to write an essay and submit three letters of reference from non-relatives prior to the pageant.

For more information about the Chickasaw Princesses, contact Phyllis Avanzini at (580) 272-5508 or phyllis.avanzini@chickasaw.net.