(06/18/2009) Autumn Rose Williams was crowned Miss Shinnecock Teen 2009 Saturday night in the ballroom of the Southampton Inn. Mattah Wright was crowned Miss Shinnecock Junior Teen 2009.
It has been 13 years since the Shinnecock Indian Nation has held its teen pageant, which awards its contestants based on speech and etiquette, knowledge of American Indian and Shinnecock history, ballroom and American Indian dance, regalia, sportswear, casual wear, evening wear, and talent.
Autumn is finishing her freshman year at the Ross School in East Hampton. Her parents are Lauryn Randall and Donald Williams Jr. Mattah will enter seventh grade at Southampton Intermediate School this year. She is the daughter of Wendy Gardner and Gordell Wright, a tribal trustee.
Cholena Smith was first runner-up in the teen category and Seneca Smith was second runner-up. In the junior teen category, Joshaya Trotman was first runner-up and Olivia Robinson was second runner-up.
Representative Tim Bishop served as one of the judges along with members of other tribes. More than 200 people attended the event.
All 13 of the contestants received participation certificates, bouquets, gift bags from the Body Shop, and movie tickets donated by Alternatives Counseling Services. Alternatives will sponsor the Miss Shinnecock Teen and Miss Shinnecock Junior Teen’s visits to powwows and conferences across the country. J.L.