Miss Navajo Nation, Alyson Shirley

    

Alyson Jeri Shirley, Miss Navajo Nation

Ms. Shirley spoke to our Rotary club today.  She grew up on a farm with her grandmother.  There was no running water or electricity.  She had to haul water, cut wood, & butcher sheep.  She applied to participate in the September 2015 Ms. Navajo competition 2 weeks before the deadline.  She was a student at Chandler College.  She needed a scholarship to finish her education at ASU where she plans on majoring in political science.  Her childhood experiences helped her during the competition.  She had to butcher a sheep in 1 hour without getting her traditional dress dirty.  The competition lasted one week. Her skill was quilt making.  She competed in the fashion show also.  The number one requirement for the candidates in this competition is that they speak fluent Navajo.  She will be the ambassador for the Navajo Nation while traveling throughout New Mexico over the next year.  The crown she wore was designed by the former Ms. Navajo.  The crown is retired every 4 years.