Jaryaca Baker Crowned 2008 Brighton Seminole Princess

2008 Brighton Jr. Miss Rumor Juarez Also Crowned

By Susan Etxebarria

BRIGHTON — Contestants were aglow with excitement at the 30th anniversary of the Brighton Seminole Princess Pageant, held Feb. 14. Crowned as the 2008-2009 Brighton Seminole Princess is Jaryaca Baker. The 2008-2009 Brighton Jr. Miss Princess is Rumor Juarez.

Emcee John Madrigal introduced guests and contestants, then outgoing Brighton Seminole Princess Amber Craig gave some words of wisdom.

“I can relate to what the girls are going through right now because I know they are nervous,” said 2007-2008 Brighton Seminole Princess Amber Craig.

The 2007-2008 Brighton Jr. Miss Seminole McKayla Snow also encouraged the contestants.

“I would like to welcome everyone here tonight and say to all the girls, ‘Good luck,’ ” said Snow.

Chairman Mitchell Cypress took a moment to recognize the girls’ parents.

“Brighton has always had good parent involvement in all the kids do, whether it a princess pageant like this, or softball and football leagues,” he said. “You can just tell from all the number of contestants tonight how involved the parents are.

“It takes courage to get up and walk across this stage,” the Chairman continued. “At this age I never would have faced a big crowd like this.”

Current Seminole royalty, including Miss Seminole Jennifer Chalfant, Jr. Miss Seminole Alicia Nunez, Jr. Seminole Rodeo Queen Ashton Baxley and Little Miss Seminole Brianna Bowers, also wished the contestants good luck.

There were nine contestants in the 9-11 age range vying for the Brighton Jr. Miss Seminole crown. Five young ladies, in ages ranging from 13-14 competed for the Brighton Miss Seminole crown.

The contest required the girls to compete in three categories. First each individually modeled their traditional outfit. They each took the microphone, telling the audience about themselves and why they wanted to be chosen as the Brighton Princess.

Then each performed a talent presentation with the emphasis on demonstrating their knowledge of Seminole culture and traditions. Last, each contestant had to answer an impromptu question.

First on stage, the nine Brighton Jr. Miss Seminole Princess contestants introduced themselves and later performed their talent, as follows:

Tyra Baker, 10, daughter of Jason and the late Tanya Baker, a fourth grade student at Pemyatv Emahakv Charter School. Her hobbies include riding dirt bikes and playing softball and volleyball. Her talent was to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Creek.

Airianna Nunez, 11, daughter of David and Anita Nunez, a student at Central Elementary in Okeechobee County. She plays volleyball. Her talent was a cooking demonstration in which she made Indian tacos.

Lanie Sedatol, 9, daughter of Mona and Preston Baker, is a third grade student at Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School. She plays softball and basketball. Lanie’s talent was reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in Creek.

Apolonia Nunez, 8, daughter of David and Anita Nunez, is a third grade student at Glades Christian Day School in Okeechobee City. She said she loves gymnastics and is an honor student. She performed a demonstration about beads made and worn by Seminole women.

Lahna Sedatol, 9,daughter of Preston and Mona Baker, is a fourth grade student at Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School. She plays basketball, softball and is a member of Seminole 4-H. She sang the song “Ten Little Indians” in Creek.

Kiylier Baker, 12, daughter of Preston and Mona Baker is a sixth grader at Yearling Middle School in Okeechobee County. She has a 3.3 grade point average, and plays softball and basketball. Her talent was exhibiting beads and other Seminole arts and crafts.

Breanna Billie, 11, daughter of Emerson and Jeannie Billie, attends Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School. She said she likes to ride horses, plays softball, basketball and babysit her brother. Her talent was demonstrating the various styles of beaded Seminole women’s jewelry.

Justice Baker, 11, daughter of Jason and the late Tanya Baker said she likes to ride horses and babysit. Her talent was showing slides of animals and naming them in Creek.

Rumor Juarez, 9, daughter of Wendy and Rudy Juarez, attends Central Elementary in Okeechobee City. She serves on the Student Council, and likes to write, sing and dance. Her future plans are to attend Florida State University and become a pediatrician. Her talent was singing the gospel hymn “It Will Be A Wonderful Day” in Creek.

Next, the Brighton Miss Seminole Princess contestants introduced themselves.

Jaryaca Baker, 13, daughter of Mona and Preston Baker, is a seventh grader at Yearling Middle School. She wants to attend college and play college softball. Her talent presentation was singing “Amazing Grace” in Creek.

Lois Billie, daughter of Sandy and Betty Billie, is an eighth grader at Osceola Middle School in Okeechobee County. She plays basketball and softball and said she wants to earn a college degree and come back and work for the Seminole Tribe. Her talent was demonstrating how to make pumpkin bread.

Margie Alissa Dorgan, daughter of Salina and John Dorgan, is a member of the Panther Clan. She is an eighth grade student at Moore Haven High School. Her talent presentation was a slide show she narrated about the history of wearing beads among the Seminole women. She showcased the various styles and designs of necklaces, belts, and hair barrettes.

Erena Billie, daughter of Emerson and Jeannie Billie, is a seventh grade student at Yearling Middle School, who said she wants to get a softball scholarship to go to college. She demonstrated how men’s traditional turbans are constructed and decorated.

Kasandra Baker, 14, daughter of Jason Baker, is in the seventh grade at Yearling Middle School, and said she wants to go to college to become a doctor. Her talent was to sing “Happy Birthday” to her sister in Creek and English, asking the audience to join in.

Finally, to great excitement and applause, the winning contestants were announced with an eruption of tears, beaming smiles and flashing cameras.

The winners for the top talent also went to Jaryaca Baker and Rumor Juarez. All the girls won trophies for being either runner-ups or participants in the contests.

Salina Dorgan headed the Brighton Seminole Princess Committee. Jo Leigh Jumper, Camellia Osceola, Chartlotte Burgess, Terry Hahn and Joyce Piz assisted her in producing this memorable evening.