Kadence Sayles, Ft. McDowell Yavapai/Lakota, was crowned Miss Native MCC and First Attendant Kaitlyn Yazzie, Navajo, was sashed during the winter pageant at Mesa Community College (MCC).
Contestants participated in qualifying sessions, including interviewing with the judges, introducing themselves, answering impromptu questions, demonstrating traditional talent, giving oral presentations of their platform and presenting a modern talent.
Sayles is studying creative writing at MCC. Her platform is to uplift and support the voices of two-spirit and queer individuals at MCC and surrounding communities. Her goals are to graduate from MCC and transfer to Northern Arizona University to study screenwriting so she can produce original stories that truthfully reflect her Native cultures.
Yazzie is a student senate officer for the Inter-Tribal Student Organization and an aspiring designer. She said she draws her inspiration from her mother, who is also a designer of traditional Navajo clothing. Her platform is to enhance Indigenous representation in the fashion industry, while creatively infusing both traditional and contemporary elements.
“The American Indian Institute at MCC has been hosting this event since 2014 but, due to the pandemic, we had to suspend the ceremony. We are so pleased that we were able to re-establish this important celebration," said Margaret Talia White, senior student services specialist. "Miss Native MCC and the First Attendant serve as Native American Student Ambassadors engaging with and representing their Indigenous communities and promoting the many opportunities at MCC. Groups wanting to schedule an appearance should contact our office at aii@mesacc.edu or call 480-461-7931.”
The royalty court is hosting and attending events throughout their reign to promote their platforms and raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples. Sayles and Yazzie have begun attending campus, local and regional events, including the Mountain View Alumni Night, the Skoden Winter Market, the S'edav Va'aki Museum (formerly the Pueblo Grande Museum), the MCC President’s Spring 2024 Welcome and the Mesa Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade. They will be honored guests at the upcoming 2024 Thunderbird Pow Wow on Saturday, March 9 at the MCC Southern and Dobson campus, located at 1833 W. Southern Ave. in Mesa.
