14 to compete for Choctaw Princess title
The rich Choctaw cultural heritage will be on full display as 14 lovely young Chahta Ohoyo (Choctaw women) will vie for the esteemed title of Choctaw Indian Princess during the opening night of the 73rd Choctaw Indian Fair on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. This annual tradition, held at the Main Stage, is one of the most popular Fair events for Tribal members and visitors alike.
The fourteen contestants are:
• Annalise Nicole Bell is the 19-year-old daughter of Crystal and Scott Watkins and is from the Tucker Community. She will be a sophomore at East Central Community College in the fall and major in athletic training. Annalise is sponsored by B&G Wood Inc.
• Chesney Linae Amos is the 17-year-old daughter of Kristen Wallace and Cyril Amos and is from the Bogue Chitto Community. She will be a senior at Choctaw Central High School this fall. Chesney is sponsored by the Non-Gaming Properties of Pearl River Resort.
• Katie Marylyn Sockey is the 16-year-old daughter of Richard and Marion Sockey and is from the Standing Pine Community. She will be a junior at Leake Academy this fall. Katie is sponsored by the Standing Pine Development Club.
• Tyra Janae Wilson is the 20-year-old daughter of Delynn Agee and Regis Wilson and is from the Bogue Homa Community. She will be a junior at Brewton-Parker College this fall and is a business major with a business management focus. Tyra is sponsored by the Bok Homa Casino.
• Nalani LuzMaria Thompson is the 16-year-old daughter of Desmond and Kelli Jones and is from the Pearl River Community. She will be a senior at Neshoba Central High School this fall. Nalani is sponsored by Morton Construction Company.
• Natayah Marie Anderson is the 17-year-old daughter of Nashima Anderson and is from the Pearl River Community. She plans to attend East Central Community College and major in pre-nursing. Natayah is sponsored by the Choctaw Tribal Schools.
• Kyla Kierston Farmer is the 18-year-old daughter of Brent and Durnene Farmer and is from the Conehatta Community. She will be a sophomore this fall at East Central Community College and is an athletic training major. Kyla is sponsored by the Conehatta Development Club.
• Lexi Alaysia Flint is the 17-year-old daughter of Cindell Hickman and Corey Flint and is from the Red Water Community. She will be a senior at Leake Central High School in the fall. Lexi is sponsored by the Red Water Development Club.
• Jordan Shawnette Mack is the 18-year-old daughter of Vertina John-Harris and Geno Mack and is from the Conehatta Community. She will be a sophomore at the University of Mississippi and majors in political science. Jordan is sponsored by the Gaming Properties of Pearl River Resort.
• Peja Tazzlyn York is the 19-year-old daughter of Lucius Todd York and Twyla York and is from the Pearl River Community. She will be a sophomore at Ursuline College in Ohio and is a biology major. Peja is sponsored by the Pearl River Development Club.
Sydney Alyse Ben is the 19-year-old daughter of Alyssa Ben and is from the Pearl River Community. She will be a sophomore at the University of Mississippi this fall and majors in pharmaceutical sciences. Sydney is sponsored by the Choctaw Health Center Employees Association.
• Leilaya Jayde McMillan is the 17-year-old daughter of Barry and Raeline McMillan and is from the Pearl River Community. She will be a sophomore at East Central Community College this fall and majors in pre-nursing. Leilaya is sponsored by the Choctaw Residential Center.
• Angel Bahlantah Clemmons is the 18-year-old daughter of Angela Hundley and Sammy Clemmons, Jr. and is from the Bogue Chitto Community. She plans to attend Mississippi College in the fall and major in business. Angel is sponsored by Willis Engineering.
• Akaysha Syntae Polk is the 16-year-old daughter of Kendra and Damion Polk and is from the Tucker Community. She will be a junior at Neshoba Central High School. Akaysha is sponsored by the Choctaw Shopping Center Enterprise.
• At the conclusion of the pageant, one of these outstanding young women will be selected to succeed reigning 2022-2023 Choctaw Indian Princess Cadence Raine Nickey. The newly-crowned Princess will serve as the Tribe’s representative and goodwill ambassador at many special events, such as groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, conferences and other special ceremonies, occasionally alongside Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. On a personal level, she will be a role model for little girls to look up to and will inspire many of them to one day run for Choctaw Indian Princess.