Login

Gallup Sun

Thursday, Mar 28th

Last update12:57:39 AM GMT

You are here: Community Features Hard work pays off for Tiny Tots Pageant

Hard work pays off for Tiny Tots Pageant

E-mail Print PDF

Little ones share culture while having fun

“Hard work pays off” were the encouraging words of one child’s father to help her win in the 2019 Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Tiny Tots Pageant program held Aug. 5 at the El Morro Theatre.

This year’s 2019 Tiny Tots contestants included five little girls ranging in age from 5 to 7 years old all competing to be “Little Princess”; Contestant #1  5-year-old Maya Faith Morez, of Gallup; #2 6-year-old Samiya Sage Curley, of Window Rock, Ariz.; #3 6-year-old Shanoah Largo, of Gamerco; #4 6-year-old Kimora Liah Hannaweeke, of Waterflow; and #5 5-year-old Destany Jaklyn Lutsie, of Gallup.

In the past couple pageants, competitions included Little Brave Boys contest, Best Dressed Grandpa and Grandma, however no one signed up for those contests this year. Despite the low number of sign-ups, coordinator Fran Palochak praised all the little girls who competed and all who attended the event.

“This year was absolutely incredible, we had five very talented young ladies 5 and 6-year-olds,” she said. “They really showed us how well they know their culture.” Despite the absence of little tiny tot boys, the show was fun and exciting to watch.

“We’re going to start early next year and try to get some boys to compete for our Little Brave contest.” said Palocheck.

All of the Tiny Tots contestants introduced themselves in their own Native language followed by an introduction in English. Then they modeled their traditional dress reflecting their cultures. They also wore beautiful Native American jewelry of turquoise and stunning silver. As the tots paraded across the stage, Master of Ceremony J.T. Willie hyped up the pageant, speaking in both Navajo and English.

Intermission brought on a special performance by the Anshekwe Bear Dance group from the Pueblo of Zuni also consisting of small children. Past performances of groups from Zuni are always a crowd pleaser showcasing the different tribes that surround Gallup.

The next portion of the pageant primarily focuses on the talent of the tiny tots, which ranged from singing and speaking nursery rhymes in their native tongues to demonstrating how to make dough for frybread, as contestant Largo did. Her supplies were brought onto the stage: flour, and not just any flour, but Blue Bird flour, which is a must among all dough makers, salt, water.

“First I’m going to get the dough and pour into it water,” said Largo.

Oohs and aahs went through the crowd as six-year-old Largo mixed the ingredients and finally produced a perfect dough ready for frybread. Emcee Willie chirped in and offered his sentiments on having someone make frybread just for you,” he said.

“My grandma told me that you must be really special in order for some lady to make frybread for you.”

Contestant Hannaweeke sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in Navajo and performed a basket dance as well. Standing beside the stage was the current Little Princess waiting to give up her crown; 6-year-old Sydney Peyketewa, of Zuni. When asked how her reign was and how it felt to be giving up her crown, she had mixed emotions.

“Sad, because it was fun and cool, ” said Peyketewa. “I’m going to do more beauty pageants,” she added.

Peyketewa’s mom said she is going to concentrate on getting through the second grade for now.

It came time for the announcement of who would be crowned Little Princess.

No tot would  go home empty-handed. Each one would win a teddy bear set, while the winner would take home a shawl, sash, crown, and a huge teddy bear, bigger than the contestant.

Taking 5th place was contestant Lutsie; 4th place went to Largo; 3rd place to Curley; 2nd place to Hannaweeke; and 1st place to Morez. Amidst all the picture taking as the pageant ended, Morez nonchalantly said she was just going to have fun with her new title.

“I’m just going to stay home and have fun,” she said.

Dad Liam Morez  said, “The last thing I told her before I went to work was, hard work pays off and you work hard and listen to your mom, you’ll get that crown you want,” as he attempted to contain his joy over his daughter’s big win.

By Dee Velasco
For the Sun