NEO Crowns Lillye Smith as 2026 Miss Indian NEO
Contestants were evaluated on academics, leadership, Native dress, poise, their prepared speech, and responses during a Q & A.
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Miami, Okla. — Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College crowned Lillye Smith of the Keetoowah Nation as the 2026 Miss Indian NEO during the annual pageant Thursday, Oct. 22, in Commons Hall Auditorium.
Smith was selected from three NEO students competing for the title. Landry Roland of the Cherokee Nation was named runner-up, and Miranda Parra-St. John of the Osage Nation also competed. Zoe Sitsler, the previous Miss Indian NEO, was on hand to pass the crown to Smith.
Contestants were evaluated on academics, leadership, Native dress, poise, their prepared speech, and responses during the question-and-answer portion of the competition.
"We had an incredible pageant with three incredible young ladies," said NEO Native American Student Association Coordinator Paul Atkins. "I am so proud of our students and the preparation and effort they put forward for this event. Congratulations to Lillye Smith for winning the title in a very close competition, as well as to Landry Roland and Miranda Parra-St. John. I would also like to thank our prestigious judges and Cara Cowan Watts for serving as our emcee."
Three judges with connections to Native communities, culture, education, and advocacy evaluated the contestants.
Candice Byrd-Boney , a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Quapaw Nation, and Osage Nation, is an actress, shell carver, and storyteller. She also serves as a director of the Cherokee National Youth Choir.
Jeane Burgess , a member of the Peoria Tribe, is the founder and president of Tall Oak Media, a full-service publicity agency for authors and publishers. She also celebrates Indigenous women through her podcast, Bloodlines: Tales of Indigenous Women , and works with John 3:16 Mission in Tulsa, where she leads a Your Story Matters group for men and women in recovery.
Dr. Jaquetta Shade-Johnson , a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is an assistant professor of Cultural Rhetorics at the University of Colorado Boulder. She is a member of the Digadatseli'i Cherokee Scholars and a founding member of the Cherokee Collective for Ecologies and Foodways.
As Miss Indian NEO, Smith will represent the college throughout the academic year at campus and community functions, including parades, national holidays, and other special events.
The pageant was sponsored by the NEO Native American Student Association (NASA) . The organization provides opportunities for students to connect through cultural events, educational programs, leadership, and advocacy while encouraging academic success, cultural pride, personal growth, and greater understanding throughout the NEO community.
Atkins also thanked the NEO community, families, friends, and guests who attended the pageant and supported the contestants.
"We are thankful for everyone who attended and supported these students," Atkins said. "Without their support, events like this would not be successful."
