Miss Salt River & Jr. Miss Salt River Updates

Miss Salt River Manderee Lynn Jose is surrounded by her family.

Kumduum/ske:g tas. My name is Manderee Lynn Jose. I am 22 years old and the daughter of Raylene Josephine Galvez and Winston Earl Jose Jr. My maternal grandparents are the late Lorena Regina Baptisto and the late Eugene Delbert Galvez. My paternal grandparents are the late Jennifer Ann Washington and the late Winston Earl Jose Sr.

I am your newly crowned 2019-2020 Miss Salt River, and it’s an honor to have been chosen to represent not just our beautiful Community, but our Onk Akimel O’odham and Xalychidom Piipaash. I am excited for what is to come, and I will be focusing on what I can do to uplift, motivate and be a goodwill ambassador.

With this title I plan on being more involved and interacting with all the people in our Community—not just by attending events, but also by learning more about the culture. During my reign, my platform will be “Culture Revitalization.” I am truly passionate about learning our people’s traditions and I have always found joy in learning. Now, I wish to share that joy with others through learning and growing with the people of our Community.

Being able to represent my people in this way means the world to me, and I am grateful for this opportunity. I will put my all into everything I do and represent our beautiful Community with humility and respect.

If there is any way I can be of service to you, please do not hesitate to contact the Miss Salt River Committee at (480) 362-7954.

Masapo!

Jr. Miss Salt River Teegan Smith and her family.

Ske:g tas! Good day. I would like to express what an honor it is to introduce myself as the 2019-2020 Jr. Miss Salt River. I am Teegan Smith, the daughter of Daniel Smith Sr. and Davina Dallas. My paternal grandparents are Brian Smith and Vernetta Makil. My maternal grandparents are the late David Easchief Sr. and Angelina Dallas. I am Onk Akimel O’odham, Xalychidom Piipaash, Tohono O’odham, Hopi, Navajo, Mountain Cahuilla, Paiute and Warm Springs.

I am 15 years old and attend Westwood High School, where I will be entering the new school year as junior class vice-president. I am currently serving as the clerical secretary of the Young River People’s Council. I enjoy playing softball, playing basketball, traditional dancing and spending time with my friends. My future plans are to attend college out of state for my undergraduate degree and then attend ASU College of Law to become an attorney practicing Indian law.

As Jr. Miss Salt River I not only represent my Community, but I also want to encourage our youth to learn our traditions and be proud O’odham/Piipaash individuals. I look forward to attending events and educating the people I meet about the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Sapo.