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Miss Indian Arizona 2018 - 2019 Participants

Mandy Leigh DazenMandy Leigh Dazen - White Mountain Apache Tribe

Mandy Leigh Dazen is twenty-one-years of age and the daughter of Navene and Manuel Dazen and she has five brothers and six sisters.

She is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and hails from Whiteriver, Arizona. Her talent will be a demonstration of the sacred responsibilities that Apache women must uphold in her culture. She has served on the White Mountain Apache Tribal Youth Council as Co-President and the National Indian Health Board Tribal Youth advisory Board 2018-19.

Mandy has been involved in Community Service Projects; Visiting with Youth and Elders in the Community and outreach serving the homeless. She attended Northland Pioneer College. 

Should she be selected as Miss Indian Arizona her platform would be to bring  awareness of mental health disparities that affect youth, adults and elders to her community  with an educational focus on medical careers.


Anissa GarciaAnissa Angel Garcia – Gila River Indian Community

Anissa Angel Garcia is twenty-three-years of age and the daughter of Daren Pedro-Martinez and Mario Garcia and has three brothers and one sister.  She is a member Gila River Indian Community and resides in Sacaton, AZ. Her talent presentation will be sharing an O’odham traditional song.

Anissa is a traditional basket dancer and toka player. Her awards include 2016 recipient-25Under25, and Miss Gila river 2017-18; She has served on the Akimel O’odham/Pee Posh Youth Council; volunteered for community events such as Mustering In Days, Five Tribes Treaty of Peace, Wellness Center, Huhugam Heritage and many more.

Anissa has attended Central Arizona College and is presently attending Chandler-Gilbert Community College.  Should she be selected as Miss Indian Arizona her platform would be to promote and encourage youth to live a life of wellness through traditions.



Nicole ManuelNichole Marissa Manuel – Tohono O’odham Nation

Nichole Marissa Manuel is the twenty-three year old daughter of Nadine and Edwin Williams and  has one brother and one sister. She is a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and lives in Florence Village, Arizona.

Nichole will sing a traditional song which reminds her that no matter what struggles we face, there is always hope tomorrow. She attended Central Arizona College pursuing an Associate’s Degree; served on the following; T.O. Nation Youth Council; National Unity Representative; former Miss Tohono O’odham; traditional teaching for children and volunteered for community planning committee, feast day, church and service to the elderly. 

Should she be selected as Miss Indian Arizona her platform would be to break the silence and always remember that Domestic Violence holds no social, economic, racial, or cultural boundary

Ki-Ana ReinaKi-Ana Symone Reina – Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Ki-Ana Symone Reina is the twenty-two-year old daughter of Nellie Silversmith-Reina and Edward Reina, she has four siblings.  She is a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Ki-Ana attends Scottsdale Community College, pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Communications. Her talent presentation will be the Chiyer also known as Bird Dancing. 

Ki-ana plays the traditional women’s game of toka which she teaches and demonstrates at community events; She & her toka students assist the community cleaning the gardens, building benches for the garden and assisting elders. 

Should she be selected as Miss Indian Arizona her platform would be to promote healthy eating through traditional foods by learning to incorporate gathering, preparing and eating traditional foods to eliminate disease.

Niagra RockbridgeNiagara Rockbridge – Navajo Nation

Niagara Rockbridge is the nineteen-year-old daughter of Debra and Gary Rockbridge and she has four brothers. She is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and lives in Chinle, Arizona. 

She attended Pinon High School and is a certified veterinary assistant.  As her talent, she will explain the significance of 4 sacred mountains, partially sing a Navajo song. Presentation will be done in Navajo and English.

Niagara has served on the Future Farmers of America; awards include: Miss Pinon High School; Miss Teen Navajo; National Society of High School Scholars and Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council.

Should she be selected as Miss Indian Arizona her platform would be to bring awareness of fundamental law  to the youth and communities and to educate them about the importance of speaking their voices.

 

 

Angel TarangoAngel Monique Tarango – San Carlos Apache Tribe

Angel Monique Tarango is the twenty-one-year old daughter of Geralynn Irving and Frank Tarango, she has five siblings. She is a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and lives in Peridot, Arizona. Her talent will be demonstrating how to make the sacred white paint that the Apache people use in the coming of age ceremony. She is attending Eastern Arizona College and has attained a Licensed Nursing Assistant certification.

Angel is the current Miss San Carlos Apache. She is in the United States Army Reserve and has earned many awards while serving; Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon and a Sharpshooter Badage, to name a few. Angel is a member of the , National Honor Society and graduated with honors.

She volunteers at  Monthly Luncheons Honoring Elders. Should she be selected as Miss Indian Arizona her platform would be to promote youth leadership development and community engagement.        

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