GRIC members selected as Miss Indian Youth of Lawrence and Indian Youth Brave

Native American Student Services of Lawrence Public Schools/USD 497 announces Indian Youth of Lawrence royalty

February 17, 2017

Submitted by Jennifer Attocknie

Native American Student Services

Lawrence, Kan., January 30, 2017 – Native American Student Services is pleased to announce the winners and runner up for our 2017 Ambassadors.

The Jr. Miss Youth Runner-Up, Alicia Robinson, South Middle School, 8th grade, represents the Omaha Tribe. Jr. Miss is Devon Yellow Bird, South Middle School, 8th grade, is Oglala Lakota and Three Affiliated Tribes/Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikira.

The Indian Youth of Lawrence Brave is Derek White. He is an LHS, sophomore, is a Gila River Indian Community member, Laguna Pueblo, and Navajo. The Miss Indian Youth of Lawrence is Kaitlen White. She Derek’s sister and an LHS senior. She is a Gila River Indian Community member, Laguna Pueblo, and Navajo.

The Indian Youth of Lawrence Pageant was held on Saturday Jan. 28 at South Middle School in Lawrence, Kan.

The youth competed in an essay category, impromptu questions, as well as contemporary and traditional talents. The contestants displayed skills ranging from reciting poetry in German, and playing orchestral instruments such as flute and violin to presenting traditional tribal dance, artwork and knowledge.

They were supported by their families and friends as well as a few teachers in attendance.

Special thanks to the judges Jancita Warrington, Haskell Cultural Center, Potawatomi/Menominee; Tracey Morris, Head Start Family Engagement Coordinator, Lawrence, North Carolina Cherokee; and Judith Snyder, elder, retiree, Haskell alumnus, Kickapoo/Citizen Band Potawatomi/Assiniboine of Lawrence.

Native American Student Service of Lawrence Public Schools serves the American Indian/Alaska Native student population, kindergarten through 12th grade.

It is funded by Title VII and Johnson O’Malley federal grants as a partial fulfillment of treaty obligations. USD 497 has about a 5% Native student population, representing almost 100 tribal nations.

This wide variety of diversity within this group of about 560 students is due to the proximity to Haskell Indian Nations University, the only inter-tribal university in the U.S.