Leadership Competition Winners
2024 – 2025
Ella Mounce
ᎣᏏᏲ Osiyo! Ella Mounce is the 20-year-old daughter of Michael and Tonia Mounce. She is the granddaughter of Louise Mounce. Her Cherokee name is ᏣᎨᏳᎢ (Tsa-Ge-Yu-I), and she is part of the Wolf clan. She is a sophomore at Northeastern State University, where she majors in Graphic Art. She is involved in several organizations on campus, including the Aspiring Educators Association (AEA), where she is the treasurer, and the Northeastern Student Government Association (NSGA), where she serves as a senator on the judicial committee.
She is an active community member, volunteering with the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center and JOM programs in her spare time, helping with their cultural events. Over the summers, she works as a Camp Cherokee Counselor, teaching kids more about their culture. She also loves spending time with her family, singing and playing music with her father, spending time talking with her mother, and learning how to make cultural crafts and play native games with her cousins and uncles.
Her platform as Miss Cherokee is encouraging language and culture early in our youth. She believes that the revitalization of our culture begins with our youth and wants to encourage parents to pass on all the knowledge they have to their children, no matter how much they may know. She wants parents not to be ashamed to encourage their kids to use the language and talk about their culture openly, because only by not being ashamed of their culture will it begin to thrive.
Dayci Starr
ᎣᏏᏲ Osiyo! Dayci Starr, 15 years old, is the daughter of Denise Starr and the granddaughter of the late Dennis Starr and Irene Starr. Her Cherokee name is ᎤᏬᏗᏯ (U-Wo-Di-Ya). Growing up in the Zion Community, she carries a wealth of knowledge in traditional Cherokee ways, reflecting a deep-rooted connection to her heritage. Her grandparents, who are Cherokee speakers, have greatly influenced her aspirations, and she hopes to make them proud through her efforts in preserving the language and culture. As a sophomore at Sequoyah High School, Dayci exemplifies academic dedication and civic engagement through her involvement in HOPE Club, Student Council, SWAT, Youth MOVE, and FCA/FCS. She is also a committed athlete in cross country, basketball, and softball, demonstrating her strong sense of teamwork and perseverance.
Beyond her school commitments, Dayci serves on the Adair County 4-H officer team in various roles, including as Jr. President, and she currently holds the title of Recreation Leader. An educator in her own right, Dayci has taught the Cherokee language and cultural traditions to adults and youth alike. Her teachings include not only the language itself but also hands-on practices such as making corn husk dolls, beadwork, basket making, and leather crafting, all of which help keep these traditional arts alive. Her platform as Junior Miss Cherokee focuses on language preservation, a cause close to her heart. Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Cherokee, Dayci is a passionate advocate for language learning, encouraging everyone to embrace the Cherokee language at any skill level to instill pride and a sense of belonging. Representing the Cherokee Nation as a goodwill ambassador, she also works toward her aspirations to educate and inspire future generations.
Maggie Rhodes
Maggie Rhodes is 12 years old and in seventh grade. Rhodes has many extracurricular activities she is involved with, including learning Cherokee, softball, basketball and track. Rhodes loves to knit, sing and bake. Rhodes appreciates Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner along with the Council of the Cherokee Nation for allowing her the opportunity to represent the Cherokee Nation.
Ella Snow Raper
Ella Snow Raper, ᏣᏫᏳᎩ tsa-wi-yu-gi, is 10 years old and currently in fourth grade. Raper is a member of the Wolf Clan and a Cherokee Nation citizen. She is a member of her school’s Gifted and Talented Program and serves in the Leadership group. Raper has completed a Cherokee Community Language class. Raper loves to play basketball, softball and cheer. She is an active member of Euwasha Baptist Church.
Kaden Evens
Kaden Evans is a second grader who loves Jesus. Evans is a member of the Wolf Clan and a Cherokee Nation citizen. Evans’s Cherokee name is ᏓᏄᏩ ᎠᎾᎵᎯ da-nu-wo-a, which means “Warrior.” Evans loves playing stickball, football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. He embodies the treats of a warrior through strength and leadership. Evans enjoys working hard and making his family proud.
Ellci Vann
Ellci Vann is 6 years old, and currently in kindergarten. Vann is a member of the Deer Clan and a Cherokee Nation citizen. Vann loves spending time with her brother and two dogs. Along with learning Cherokee, Ellci loves playing basketball, doing cartwheels, drawing and reading. Vann loves representing her tribe and the Deer Clan as a Little Cherokee Ambassador.
Copper Evens
Cooper Evans is 6 years old and currently in kindergarten. Cooper is a member of the Wolf Clan and a Cherokee Nation citizen. Evans’s Cherokee name, ᎠᏥᎳ a-tsi-la, meaning “fire.” Evans matches his namesake with his strong leadership traits. He loves playing stickball and sharing the story of “How the Opossum Lost his Tail.” Along with stickball, Evans plays basketball and baseball. He is inspired by Michael Jordan. Evans prides himself on being a hardworking Cherokee and following Jesus.
