GRIC will be represented by Autumn Cooper at the Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program

Oct. 4, 2019

In the last edition of the GRIN, former Miss Gila River, Autumn Cooper, shared her experiences following her 2018-2019 reign. We now catch up with her as she prepares for the Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program.  This year’s 58th annual pageant will feature six young women competing for the pageant title on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

Cooper’s platform for the pageant is “Love Yourself and Self Confidence,” as she inspires young people to find comfort in their own skin. “No matter how we look, no matter what shape we are, we are all beautiful in our own way,” Cooper said.

She’s carried out her message through numerous presentations and workshops she’s hosted as Miss Gila River. And even now she continues to host similar programs for youth she works with at her job with the Community’s Employment & Training Department. “We all need the confidence to build ourselves and to love ourselves,” she said.

While preparing for the pageant, Cooper said that she’s continuously meeting with elders, her family, and current Community Council representatives seeking advice and wisdom.  Cooper also credits former Miss Indian Arizona 2017-2018 Mariah Sharpe as someone who’s encouraged her to run.  Sharpe built rapport with several young women and has supported Cooper during this process.

The other contestants are Kiara Goseyun, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Teya Johnson-Tiger, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Audriana Mitchell, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Ki-Ana Reina, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and Amy Spotted Wolf, Tohono O’odham Nation. 

Tickets are $17 for adults and $7 for children and are available for purchase in advance at chandlercenter.org, and more information about the pageant is at missindianarizona.com.