The value of kinship
Miss Navajo contestants from left, Ronda Joe, McKeon Dempsey, Shannon Gorman, Farrah Mailboy, Ann Marie Salt, and Koltey Tso, wait for the coronation to begin on Saturday evening at the Navajo Arts & Crafts store in Window Rock. Dempsey, second left, was named 2014-2015 Miss Navajo. (Times photo - Donovan Quintero)
New Miss Navajo Nation fulfills the requirement of culture
The day before the coronation ceremony, contestant No. 5 and the rest of the contestants walked in Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise. She signed autographs and introduced herself in Navajo.
Newly crowned 2014-2015 Miss Navajo McKeon Dempsey from Oak Springs, Ariz., smiles and waves at the cheering crowd on Saturday in Window Rock. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)
On Saturday evening, contestant No. 5 – McKeon Kova Dempsey – was crowned as the new Miss Navajo Nation.
It was an evening of high drama as the master of ceremonies took what seemed like forever to reveal the new Miss Navajo Nation.
When contestant No. 6, Ronda Joe, was announced the second runner-up, the nail-biting went into high gear.
Dempsey shed tears when contestant No. 4, Shannon Lynnise Gorman, was announced the first runner-up. It was evident that the 24-year-old had won the title to booming applause from the audience.
The audience watched as Dempsey, an expert sheep butcher, made her coronation walk embellished in the fine Miss Navajo Nation sash and the exquisite Naabeehó Bich’eeki’ crown.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow