Four young women vie for Ceremoial queen

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Four young women were introduced as this year’s candidates for the Miss Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial 2007-2008 title during Wednesday’s Ceremonial Queen Luncheon.

LaSasha Ross, Verrica Livingston, Emily Ellison, and Anthnette Fern Spencer will compete this week in the areas of modeling traditional Native American regalia, public speaking, essay writing, modern talent, traditional or cultural talent, and Southwest fashion demonstration. Visitors to Wednesday evening’s Preview Night were able to meet the candidates and cast their vote for the winner of the Miss Photogenic honor. The modern talent competition will be held today at 5 p.m. at the small amphitheater at Red Rock State Park, and the traditional talent competition will be at 5 p.m. on Friday.

On Saturday evening, the new Ceremonial Queen will be announced during the Indian Dance Performance in RRSP’s main arena. Anna Ballenger, the current Miss Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, will crown her successor.

The following is a brief biography of each young woman running for the title:

• LaSasha Ross, 18, is from Chinle, Ariz. The daughter of Lynn and Santana Ross, she is a 2006 graduate of Chinle High School. Of Navajo and Ute descent, Ross works for the Chinle Office of Youth Development, is a pre-nursing student at Diné College, and plans to earn a degree in nursing. Ross is a former Miss Headstart, Miss Chinle Junior High School, and Miss Tseyi.
• Verrica Livingston, 19, is the daughter of Victoria Dale-Livingston and Robert Livingston Jr. of Twin Lakes, N.M. Livingston graduated from Tohatchi High School in 2005 and is currently a student at the University of New Mexico. She is studying Early Childhood Multi-cultural Education and is preparing to become a preschool teacher. Livingston is a member of the Navajo tribe.
• Emily Ellison, 25, is from Gallup and has ties to the Manuelito and Chichiltah, N.M. communities. The daughter of Cindy Smith and Thomas Ellison, she is Navajo and Zuni. A graduate of Gallup High School and New Mexico State University, Ellison is currently employed with the Gallup McKinley County Schools and is working on a master’s degree in Elementary Education at Western New Mexico University. She is also considering attending law school and a career as an attorney.
• Anthnette Fern Spencer, 23, is the daughter of Marjorie Jones of Gallup and is a member of the Navajo tribe. A 2002 graduate of Gallup High School, Spencer is currently a student at Diné College, where she is majoring in Political Science and minoring in American Indian Studies. The former Miss Eastern Navajo and Miss Indian New Mexico is planning to become a tribal advocate.

Judges for this year’s competition include Charlotte Begay, Joe Lee, Lisa Rodriguez, Gina Spolar, Leroy Gabaldon, and Johnty Cresto.