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Miss Indian Arizona 2024 - 2025 Participants

Mavis ThomasMavis Renee Thomas - Gila River Indian Community

Mavis Renee Thomas is representing the Gila River Indian Community. She is the 22- year-old daughter of Marky Thomas and Tyrone Jose. Currently, Mavis attends Tohono O'odham Community College and is majoring in Computer Science. She plans to earn a degree in Computer Science and minor in dance. Mavis enjoys dancing, painting, drawing, writing poetry, and singing. One of her goals is to open a music and dance studio that "will focus on Native youth in foster care" and will be open to everyone. She desires to inspire youth and show that "anything is possible if you put your mind to it." One of her accomplishments includes holding the title of Miss Gila River (2023-2024). If selected as Miss Indian Arizona, Mavis’ platform would be "Advocate for Native youth in foster care by incorporating culture through arts."


Tonana BenTonana Amber Ben - Navajo Nation

Tonana Amber Ben is representing the Navajo Nation. She is the 21-year-old daughter of Brenlla Gilmore and Gerald Ben. Tohana is currently attending Arizona State University and majoring in Biomedical Sciences. Her educational goals are to successfully graduate college and pursue a doctorate in genetic research "to focus on how we can improve health and learn more about genetic diseases." Throughout Tonana's academic journey, she has been awarded the President's honors list and was an Education Forward Scholar. Other accomplishments include earning the title Miss Indian Arizona 1st Attendant 2023-2024 and being an elected member of the American Indian Science Engineering Society chapter at ASU. In her free time, Tonana enjoys sewing traditional clothes, running, playing intramural basketball at ASU with an all native team she formed, and spending time with her dog Kora and cat Chitty. If selected as Miss Indian Arizona, Tonana plans to "Promote cultural resilience amongst urban indigenous communities."



Isabella NewmanIsabella Kara Newman - San Carlos Apache Tribe

Isabella Kara Newman is representing the San Carlos Apache Tribe. She is the 23 - year-old daughter of Darice and Garrold Newman. Isabella graduated from Dartmouth College and received her Bachelor's degree in Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages with a minor in Government. She currently works as an executive assistant for the San Carlos Apache Tribe in the Office of the Chairman. Isabella would like to pursue law school to practice international indigenous law as an attorney. Isabella states, "I have a passion for history and understanding cultures around the world." Some of her accomplishments include Most Improved Player in pickleball and Cadet of the Year in her high school JROTC program. In her free time, Isabella enjoys reading, writing, playing pickleball, beading, and hanging out with her friends and family. If selected as Miss Indian Arizona, Isabella plans to "Promote Achieving Confidence and Success through Education."

Stacia ScottHannah Nockideneh - Navajo Nation

Hannah Nockideneh is representing the Navajo Nation. Sshe is the 21-year-old daughter of Lisa and Frank Nockideneh. Currently, Hannah attends Arizona State University and is majoring in Physics and Mathematics. She plans to continue her educational journey by earning a Ph.D. in physics. After graduate school, she would like to pursue a career as a particle physicist and hopes to someday be selected as the Nobel Prize winner in physics. Outside of her interest in physics and astronomy, Hannah enjoys beading, running, staying physically active, painting, and trying new places to eat. She states that her personal goals, "are to always learn something new and create good habits" such as undertaking beadwork and creating a healthy work-life balance. One of her accomplishments includes earning the Miss Indigenous ASU (2023-2024) title. Her platform, if selected as Miss Indian Arizona, would be "Embrace education to transform our futures for Indigenous communities."

Lehua\\\\\\\\orselaLehua Lani Dosela - Gila River Indian Community

Lehua Lani Dosela is representing the Gila River Indian Community. She is the 24-year- old daughter of Lorraine and Arvis Dosela. Lehua currently attends Arizona State University where she majors in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. She plans on also pursuing a Master's degree. Her professional goal is to become a firefighter for her community and educate others on the importance of fire safety. Lehua also desires to "teach the youth the O'odham ways of life" as she states, "learning and practicing our cultures is important and vital for future generations." Her accomplishments include being crowned Miss Gila River (2023-2024), being a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, serving as Vice-President and the Public Relations Officer for the Inter-Tribal Student Organization, serving as Chair of the Gila River Youth Conference, and serving as District 6 Representative of the Akimel O'odham Pee-Posh Youth Council. Her interests include beading, sewing, exercising, and learning O'odham songs, dances, and language. Her platform is to "Promote the preservation of traditional ways through the acts of community service."

 

 

2023 Miss Indian Arizona