McCall Crowned Miss Seminole

Jennifer-Diane Chalfant crowned Junior Miss

By Adelsa Williams and Elrod Bowers

HOLLYWOOD — On July 30, Christine Elizabeth McCall and Jennifer-Diane Chalfant were crowned Miss Seminole and Junior Miss Seminole, respectively, at the 2005-2006 Miss Florida Seminole Princess Pageant.

Vying for the Junior Miss crown were Chalfant, Amber Anochee Craig and Lazara Lanae Marrero. Competing for Miss Seminole were McCall and Danette Pearl Bowers.

The event was emceed by Brian Zepeda, Mr. Seminole 1991, and Mary Jene Koenes, Miss Seminole 1973, 1974.

Pageant week began on July 28 with a meeting between the Princess Pageant committee and the contestants, chaperones, judges and volunteers to read out the rules of the entire event and review the schedule of activities. After the meeting, contestants got on with the practices that took place each day in the Hollywood headquarters auditorium.

The 2004-2005 Miss Seminole JoJo Osceola and sister Mercedes Osceola greeted the contestants and chaperones for a welcoming dinner at the Hard Rock Café, where everyone had a chance to get acquainted.

During the same time, the Princess Pageant committee staged a similar welcoming dinner at the Council Oak Restaurant inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino where everyone else involved in the event got to meet and greet each other as well.

On the second day, the day got started with a group breakfast, followed by more practice time, rehearsals, group lunch and finally, a rendezvous back at the ballroom for an entertaining buffet style dinner.

Tribal citizen Mary Jean Koenes took charge of emceeing and introducing the contestants, who each had a chance to present themselves to the audience and say a few welcoming words.

Moses Osceola, President of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, addressed the audience with welcoming remarks as well and offered the contestants the best on their endeavors and commended Miss Seminole Jo Jo Osceola for a job well done representing the Tribe during her reign.

Following the introductions, flute player Sonny Nevaquaya entertained the crowd on stage with his soothing tunes while everyone enjoyed their meal. The crowd also was impressed with a magician that went from table to table entertaining everyone with his magical talent.

The second day events was the first day of judging for the contestants, whose posture, personal presentation, speeches and table etiquette played a role in the final decision of who would be crowned the day of the pageant.

On the third day, the contestants got up early for a day at the Contour Spa. After receiving manicures, pedicures and other treatments, the contestants each sat for a MAC makeup session in preparation the night’s event.

In semi-formal attire, the contestants, judges and committee traveled to the Tower Club in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Located on the top floor of Tower One, the contestants were judged on etiquette and poise while dining in the sumptuously appointed establishment.

On the day of the pageant, the contestants began their morning with interviews with the pageant judges. The Junior Miss contestants had a 10 minute interview and the Miss Seminole contestants were subjected to 15 minute interviews.

After lunch, the contestants were able to attend another makeup session or spend free time before leaving for the pageant.

Meanwhile, at the Hollywood Headquarters, people were already beginning to show up for the community dinner catered by Renegade Barbeque.

All at once, it was pageant time and time for the show. Zepeda and Koenes started off the pageant by introducing the committee, Tribal officials and the pageant judges.

The judges for the 2005-2006 Pageant were Miss Indian World Cassie Thomas, Miss NCAI Madeline Marie Soboleff Levy, Miss Florida USA Cristin Duren, Attorney William Cornelius and Miss Indian World Pageant Director Melanie Matthews.

Zepeda then presented each contestant, reading a short biography as they walked onto the stage. Koenes then described the traditional outfits of each contestant.

After the modeling portion, the contestants performed a talent presentation. Each of the presentations had to directly relate to the Seminole culture and ranged from a reading of the poem “Council Oak” to the process of making a sweetgrass basket.

When the talent presentations were finished, the contestants then engaged in the Impromptu Question segment of the competition. Easily one of the hardest portions of the contest, each contestant answered the questions with poise and authority.

After the Impromptu Questions, there was a short intermission and the audience was able to watch Seminole Broadcasting’s “Traditions Continue” video while the scores were tabulated.

After the intermission, Chairman Mitchell Cypress gave special gifts to each of the contestants and judges, as well as a special gift for Connie Gowen. The 2005-2006 Pageant was dedicated to Gowen, who was the first Miss Seminole crowned in 1957 and continues to volunteer her time every year in charge of the Judge’s Gifts and serving as Stage Mother to all of the contestants.

Then, the reigning princess, Junior Miss Krystle Young and Miss Seminole JoJo Osceola each gave their farewell speeches to the audience. Osceola received a special gift from the Princess Committee: $20,000 towards the purchase of a new car.

After the speeches, it was time to announce the winners. Jennifer-Diane Chalfant was awarded Miss Congeniality, a special title because it is determined by the contestants.

After a short pause, Koenes announced the 2005-2006 Junior Miss Seminole: Jennifer-Diane Chalfant.

The crowd began to get a little louder as the results were brought to the emcees and a loud cheer went up as Christine McCall was crowned the 2005-2006 Miss Seminole.

After the crush of family and friends finally thinned out, the contestants were able to head back over to Renegade Barbeque for a late night dinner.

The next day, as the other contestants headed home, the new princesses met for the first time in their official capacities with the Princess committee to go over what they could expect, and what was expected of them, throughout the next year.

Congratulations to our new princesses, Junior Miss Jennifer-Diane Chalfant and Miss Seminole Christine McCall!