SHS hosts joint princess, warrior pageant

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Golden Hills School Division hosted their second annual Princess and Warrior Pageant, Oct. 24, at Strathmore High School.

Students from Crowther Memorial Junior High School, Carseland School, Strathmore High School, Westmount School, and Wheatland Crossing were in attendance competing at the event. 

“We brought together five of our schools; each of our schools had contestants for Princess and Warrior, and we brought everyone together just so that … we are able to pull more elders in, we were able to pull in more people from Golden Hills, from Chief and Council out in Siksika Nation, all so that we could celebrate the accomplishments of our students,” said Cori Hampson, director of learning at Golden Hills School Division.

Though the Oct. 24 event was the second annual joint pageant, similar separate events have a history of occurring at each participating school respectively.

Strathmore High School hosts a powwow at the end of each academic year. Hampson explained Golden Hills School Division thought a joint pageant would be another opportunity to come together and celebrate culture and youth achievement.

“We actually had 19 contestants between the five schools who came for the warrior and princess pageant. We are getting a lot of excitement from our students and their families and it is a great opportunity for them because once they are crowned either princess or warrior, they have opportunities to represent our schools at events in Siksika or powwows throughout the year,” he said. “It is a great opportunity for them to grow their circles and get some experience public speaking and presenting.”

Representing their respective schools includes opportunities for participation at just about every event throughout the academic year.

Criteria for being crowned includes each student presenting an introduction of themselves, an impromptu question and answer period, and a performance of a talent or a dance. 

A panel of four judges presides over the event and scores each student based on their performances. Once the scores are added up at the conclusion of the pageant, the new princess and warrior are crowned. For the dance category, it is open to all styles that students may specialize in.

This year, the judging panel consisted of Elder Eileen Black, Samuel Crowfoot and Marsha Wolf Collar from Siksika chief and council, and Town of Strathmore Indigenous Liaison, Astokomii Smith.

“It is a great opportunity for our students and for us to build relationships between Golden Hills School Division and Siksika and just create opportunities for cultural understanding,” said Hampson.

A warrior and princess were crowned from each respective school. The winners were decided as follows:

Carseland School: Teigan Starlight and Alec Red Crow

Crowther Memorial Junior High School: Serenity Pretty Youngman and Jamin Black Rabbit

Strathmore High School: Trinity Pretty Youngman and Jerace Spotted Eagle

Westmount School: Amy Katona and Liam Breaker

Wheatland Crossing School: Urijah Yellow Old Woman and Karson Old Woman