Onsae Named Native American Youth Ambassador

Hale performed a comedic sing-along as her modern talent/skill. For her traditional performance, Hale prefaced a basket dance by explaining the symbolism of the so-called “wedding basket.”

Cynthia Freeman is an honor roll student of Coconino High School. Her parents are Nelson and Alice Freeman of Cameron. She was escorted by Tyler Johnson, who was introduced as a cousin-brother from Kayenta.

Freeman’s modern performance was the reading of a poem she had penned in both French and English. She also introduced the four sacred mountains, including their Navajo names, and performed a mountain song.

Escorted by Arnold Eddy, Brunlissa Williams is tenth grader attending Coconino High School. Her mother is Louise Barlow of Leupp. An avid horseback rider and musician, Williams performed “Legend of Fort Apache” as her modern talent/skill. She also demonstrated the grinding of corn using a traditional mano and metate.

Entertainment throughout the competition provided a lively distraction to the anxious audience. The Apache Crown Dancers of Cradleboard Elementary School in Whiteriver, Arizona. Comprised of five boys, six girls and three adult drummers, these young dancers performed between the modern and traditional skill/talent demonstrations.

As the scorekeepers tallied the points, LaTamara Barlow (Miss Dook’o’osliid 2001-2002), Memarie Tsosie (Miss Western Navajo Teen 2001-2002) and Shamaray Yazzie (Miss Indian Youth of Flagstaff 2001-2002) performed for the audience.

Barlow performed a song in Navajo about her mother. “I respect and love my mother very much, and I hope you guys do, too,” she said. She also dedicated a song about Iwo Jima to the terrorism victims of September 11. She finished her performance with a peyote song.

Tsosie sang in her own beautiful, powerful voice, while Yazzie performed a dance.

In the end, Jessica Onsae was named Native American Youth Ambassador 2001-2002. Judging by her performance, she will fill the duties of her title beautifully.

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