News

The American Indian Center for Excellence (AICE) and the Native American Student Association (NASA) at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) recently hosted the annual Miss Indian NEO pageant and freshman Karley Jones (Quapaw) from Scammon, Kan., was named as the 2020 Miss Indian NEO. The competition, in its ninth year since its re-introduction to campus, was open to NEO students who met GPA requirements.

Jones was selected for her involvement in NASA, pageant performance, and academic success. Along with the title and the chance to compete in the national competition, the Presidential Partners from NEO contributed a $200 scholarship to Jones. “I am very honored to have won Miss Indian NEO! This means so much to represent my nation,” said Jones. “I am very excited to see what this year brings. My goal is to make people more aware of Native Americans and the culture that comes with us.”

The pageant took place along with other campus events recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which included a college campus self-defense workshop by Redcloud Anquoe and a Rock the Native Vote voter registration drive. Jasha Lyons Echo-Hawk, public speaker, Native activist, and community builder, served as the emcee for the event. This year, Jones was joined by contestants Madison Gardner representing the Cherokee Nation, Samantha Goodeagle representing the Osage Nation, and Meika Mathews representing the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. For more information about AICE, contact Rachel Lloyd at rlloyd@neo.edu and for a full photo album, visit facebook.com/gogoneo.