ᎣᏏᏲ Osiyo! Hannah Neugin is honored to represent the Cherokee Nation as the 2025-2026 Miss Cherokee. She is the daughter of Libby Neugin and is the granddaughter of Glinda and Bobby Neugin. She is 20 years old and from the Lost City Community.
Hannah is a graduate of Sequoyah High School and is currently attending Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems with a minor in Computer Science. She is active in her university’s music department, where she shares her love of music and leadership through groups such as the marching band, wind ensemble, and pep band. Through her involvement with the American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) and the Center for Tribal Studies, Hannah promotes leadership, cultural engagement, and opportunities for Native students. In her free time, she enjoys playing the flute, going to concerts, spending time with family and friends, and seeking out opportunities to learn something new.
In 2024, Hannah was honored to be chosen as a Remember the Removal Bike Rider. Through this program, she gained a deeper understanding of removal and developed a profound admiration for her ancestors’ sacrifices and strength. She has also served as a Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Councilor, where she advocated for Cherokee youth and encouraged them to take pride in their culture.
Her platform as Miss Cherokee is Cultural Preservation Through Reconnection. Hannah believes that preserving Cherokee culture depends on welcoming those who feel disconnected, while also encouraging those with cultural knowledge to share openly and without judgment. She hopes to inspire citizens to reconnect with our language, traditions, and community, as she believes cultural preservation begins with reconnection. As Miss Cherokee, Hannah seeks to walk alongside others in their journeys of learning and reconnection, just as others have walked with her.
