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Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

CHINLE — For the young lady who holds the Miss Central Navajo title, it is a prestigious and humble title, president of the Central Navajo Fair board Irene Bahe said.

After some community members came forward saying that LaSasha Ross, the young woman who had been crowned

Miss Central during the Central Navajo Fair, violated policies regarding the titleholder, Ross was revoked of the title on Sept. 2 and Renalda Gonnie was named as the new Miss Central by the fair board. 

But Gonnie does not have the Miss Central crown and sash because Ross has not returned them, Bahe said. The crown and sash belong to the Central Navajo Fair and Miss Central Navajo pageant committee.

The fair board has filed a report with the Chinle police and its attorney has sent Ross a letter to return the crown and sash or face legal action, Bahe said.

“If she does not do that, we’re going to file a complaint in court,” she said.

Ross was not available when telephoned numerous times last week and did not respond to messages for comment by 9 a.m. today.

The fair board wants to let the public know that Ross is claiming she is Miss Central Navajo but she is not the titleholder.

In addition to not returning the crown and sash, Ross is violating policies that the titleholder must work with the pageant coordinator to schedule visits and that requests for appearances must be in writing, the fair board said.

The board contacted the fairs throughout Navajo about the situation because it has heard that Ross is requesting to be in the parades.

Bahe said that the fair board gave Ross the opportunity to speak when it met to consider her removal. This action was referred to the board by the pageant committee. The panel voted unanimously to dethrone Ross because of community complaints and documentation, she said.

“We would like to see her return the crown and sash… and Renalda Gonnie will take over once they are returned,” Bahe said.

The role of Miss Central is to represent the Central Agency and to act as an ambassador and role model.