New Miss Native American USU is crowned: Cultural pride, campus connections
Utah State University crowned its new Miss Native American, Cynthina Tsosie, on Nov. 20, continuing a decades-long tradition meant to uplift Indigenous women and their cultures on campus.
The pageant’s roots can be traced back to the early 1970s when Lida Ridley and Many Eagles worked with Native students to carve out space for Indigenous visibility within the broader Miss USU competition. Their efforts eventually evolved into a standalone event dedicated to honoring the teachings, strength and cultural identities of Native American women at USU, an annual celebration that remains central to Indigenous representation on campus today.
For outgoing Miss Native American USU Kaylee Warren, passing on the crown was bittersweet. After a year of representing her community, she said letting go of the title felt like closing the door on something deeply personal.
“I feel kind of sad because I had it for a year, and it’s always been with me on my journey,” Warren said. “But I’m also grateful because it gave me an opportunity to showcase what a Native woman is, what we are capable of, and showcase my culture.”
During her year with the title, Warren said the role opened unexpected paths. She traveled to powwows across the region, reconnecting with people she knew and forging friendships with Native royalty from other universities. Though USU did not host its own powwow during her reign, she said she’s excited for this year’s winner to experience that responsibility.
“I’m excited for her because it’s always been something that I’ve always wanted. I’m from a powwow family, so powwows are incredibly close to me,” Warren said. “I’m just incredibly excited for her to experience a powwow.”
This year’s titleholder Tsosie, an animal and dairy science major, said she entered the pageant almost on a whim, encouraged by friends and members of USU’s Center for Community. She described preparing for the event as a collaborative process, relying on peers, both Native and non–Native, to help refine her presentation and connect her cultural traditions to her chosen talents.
“You just never know what opportunities are going to be available for you,” Tsosie said. “Once it’s given to you, go for it.”
For Tsosie, creating a traditional cake as her talent was the highlight of the night. Even without prepared slides, she said she was proud to share something rooted in her culture while bringing humor and personality to her presentation.
Jayke Martin USU Miss Native American winner Cynthia Tsosie shows the audience how to make a traditional cake on Nov. 20.
“I thought I would wing it, but from the feedback and how I presented it, it showed I knew what I was doing,” she said. “I not only included humor but also that I know what my culture was and I’m proud to show it.”
With her new role, Tsosie hopes to broaden visibility for Native students across campus not just within cultural programs but in every academic department.
“I’m also representing an Aggie,” Tsosie said. “And because of that, I want to reach out to not only the agriculture department but the engineering, leadership and communications.”
For Tsosie, the pageant represented far more than winning a title. It became an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone, meet new people and build meaningful connections across the campus community.
“I don’t have to just connect with other Navajos or other Native Americans,” Tsosie said. “I want to meet new people. I want to hear their stories, engage in meaningful conversations and make an honest connection.”
Tsosie added one of the most rewarding parts of the pageant was the sense of camaraderie among the contestants. She described how practicing together created a supportive environment where they could give honest feedback and encourage one another to improve.
Jayke Martin USU Miss Native American contestants Kaitlynne Perkins, Abbrianna Lincoln and Giana Pugh stand at the pageant.
“I would do this again with the same contestants because it’s thanks to them that this is a positive experience,” Tsosie said. “When we’re all practicing our presentations, we actually encourage each other and talk about how we can improve them.”
For both Warren and Tsosie, the pageant stands as a reminder of the visibility and connection Native students bring to USU’s campus.
Warren said she hopes the next titleholder embraces the role fully, especially in the chance to represent the community.
“We’re a small population, and we don’t see much recognition,” Warren said. “I just want to shine on the Native community itself, just showing that we’re still here and that we’re still Native American, that we still practice what we were taught, that we were able to survive through all these centuries.”
Tsosie said she wants her year to be defined by outreach and encouraging others to step outside their comfort zones, showing the title extends far beyond cultural programs and into the wider campus community. She hopes students of all backgrounds feel welcome to engage, connect and learn from one another to take a chance, reach out and try something new.
“It’s a new experience for me. I have never done anything like this,” Tsosie said. “You never know what’s going to happen until you do it.”