60th Annual Miss Indian Arizona Program to Feature Miss Gila River Alyse Marrietta
Kyle Knox
Gila River Indian News
After a yearlong hiatus, the Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program will host a live competition featuring the Community’s 2020-2022 Miss Gila River, Alyse Marrietta. This year marks the 60th Annual Scholarship Program. It will showcase five contestants, all vying for the title of Miss Indian Arizona.
The event will be livestreamed Sat. Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. at www.missindianarizona.com for all to watch.
Building on her experience as Miss Gila River, Marietta says she is excited for the pageant and the opportunity to take her pageantry to the next level. She understands the prestige of the Miss Indian Arizona title and is humbled to be among all the contestants this year.
“I’m excited to get to know all the contestants because I truly believe it’s not a competition between us but a competition with ourselves,” said Marrietta. “And I look forward to representing my Community, family, and myself in a positive and uplifting way.”
The pageant this year will be a hybrid virtual style, streamed live without an audience. Contestants will be performing every aspect of a regular pageant live, except for a choreographed dance routine.
Marrietta’s focus for the pageant is ensuring her remarks for the speaking portions of the program are polished. She is also preparing on other aspects that she didn’t experience running for Miss Gila River.
One element of the MIA program is an evening gown event. “MIA is known for being very elegant, and this is part of that, so I’m looking forward to this experience,” said Marrietta. Even, so, she says walking in heels is the an aspect of the event that makes her slightly nervous.
As with most pageants, contestants must choose a platform for their reign. Marrietta has decided to continue her current platform as Miss Gila River – that of “Self-Care.” Her platform promotes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. She says that balancing all these aspects is foundational for setting goals and creating a fulfilling life, something she has shared statewide during her time as Miss Indian Arizona.
Marrietta acknowledges two former MIA titleholders from the Community, Daryl Jay, and Victoria Quintero, for support and looks to them for inspiration. She informed both women that she would be applying and she says they’ve been nothing short of encouraging. In addition, she acknowledges Autumn Cooper as an excellent example, having watched her served on the MIA court for two years. And lastly, she also thanks Jr. Miss Gila River Sineca Jackson for her constant support during this time.
This year’s pageant contestants are SuNigh Antone (Tohono O’odham Nation), Lorraine Cooley (San Carlos Apache Tribe), Alyse Marrietta (Gila River Indian Community), Vanessa Lister (Navajo Nation), and Skehg’ Hiosik Galindo, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
The program will feature a farewell to the outgoing MIA court, 2020-2021 MIA Amy Spotted Wolf (TON) and 1st Attendant Autumn Cooper (GRIC). For more information about each contestant and the program this year, you can visit www.missindianarizona.com.
