CHOCTAW — The 69th Annual Choctaw Indian Fair is set to open with 12 young Chahta Ohoyos (Choctaw women) vying for the honor of becoming the 64th Choctaw Indian Princess and the next ambassador of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

The Choctaw Indian Princess Pageant will begin at 7 p.m. on July 11 at the Main Stage, after opening ceremonies hosted by Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson at 6 p.m.

Contestants attended pageant practices throughout June. The annual banquet sponsored by the Community Development Partnership is set for July 9.

In addition to crowning the new princess during pageant night, other awards will be presented, including Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, Media Competition Award, as well as first and second alternate.

The 12 contestants are:

• Hannah Shea Bell is the 19-year-old daughter of Crystal and Scott Watkins and is a member of the Tucker Community. She will be a junior at Mississippi State University this fall. She is sponsored by the Tucker Development Club.

• Tenecia Shamae Bell is the 20-year-old daughter of LeAndrea Morris and John Bell Jr. She is from the Conehatta Community. She will be a junior at Mississippi University for Women this fall. She is sponsored by the Conehatta Development Club.

• Lauren Raen Ben is the 18-year-old daughter of Robert and Olivia Ben and is from the Pearl River Community. This fall, she will be a freshman at Meridian Community College. She is sponsored by Non-Gaming Properties of Pearl River Resort.

• Brooke Rena Dixon is the 20-year-old daughter of Charisity Tubby and Gregory Dixon. She is a member of the Red Water Community. She currently attends Meridian Community College. She is sponsored by Memorial of Billie Jean John Tubby.

• Maranda Kay Frazier is the 18-year-old daughter of Timothy and Misty Frazier. She is a member of the Henning/Bogue Chitto Community. This fall, she will be a freshman at Dyersburg State Community College. She is sponsored by the Tennessee Choctaw Community.

• Elisah Monique Jimmie is the 18-year-old daughter of Karla Keats and Elijah Jimmie and a member of the Pearl River Community. She will attend East Central Community College, where she will be a freshman this fall. She is sponsored by the Gaming Properties of Pearl River Resort.

• Jayasri Jordan Mitch is the 18-year-old daughter of Ray and Alvina Mitch. She is a member of the Standing Pine Community. This fall, she will be a freshman at Millsaps College. She is sponsored by the Choctaw Health Center Employees Association.

• Kaylee Jordan Routh is the 19-year-old daughter of Edward and Tina Routh and is a member of the Pearl River Community. She will be a sophomore at the University of Southern Mississippi this fall. She is sponsored by the IKBI Construction Company.

• Katelyn RayAnn Shoemake is the 18-year-old daughter of Gregory and Tracy Shoemake. She is a member of the Conehatta Community. She will be a freshman at East Central Community College. She is sponsored by the Department of Schools.

• Sydni Joy Tangle is the 17-year-old daughter of Diana and Liasha Alex and Jimmy Tangle. She is a member of the Standing Pine Community. She will be a senior at Leake Academy this fall. She is sponsored by the Standing Pine Development Club.

• Kaliyah Symone Tubby is the 17-year-old daughter of Samihah Willis, Linda and Bradley Alex and is a member of the Pearl River Community. She will be a senior at Choctaw Central High School. She is sponsored by the Pearl River Development Club.

• Tara Dawn Willis is the 17-year-old daughter of Vannessa Cotton and Lester Willis and is a member of the Bogue Chitto Community. This fall, she will be a senior at Choctaw Central High School. She is sponsored by the Bogue Chitto Development Club.

One of the contestants will be crowned by the 2017-18 Choctaw Indian Princess Kassie Lann Cox. Throughout her year-long reign, the newly crowned Choctaw Indian Princess will serve as a goodwill ambassador of the Tribe.

To learn more about the 69th Choctaw Indian Fair, visit www.choctawindianfair.com, “Like” on Facebook at Choctaw Indian Fair, follow on Twitter @ChoctawIndianFair or call the fair hotline at 601-650-7450.