Page 45 - Robeson Living Summer 2022

LRDA Pages 1-56 5/25/22 4:34 PM Page 50

Little Miss Lumbee

Farewell

early. Aunt Tonya, thank you for the financial support unmatched. Thank you for everything you do for the
during my reign. I love you all. contestants.
Kaitlyn, the best pageant coach a girl could ever ask for. I To my Elrod Baptist Church family, I am blessed with the
could never thank you enough for helping make my best church family anyone could ever ask for. Thank you
dreams come true. Thank you for never giving up on me for all the love, prayers, and support throughout my reign.
and always reminding me that I am enough. To my teachers at Pembroke Elementary School and
Mrs. Jamie, thank you for driving me through parades and Prospect School, thank you for always being so
making sure I had the cleanest car in line up. understanding when I missed school for appearances and
for working with me to make up missed assignments.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Nu Bella Salon (the dream team), thank you for making Millicent, thank you for the beautiful beadwork and for
Philippians 4:13 sure my hair looked it’s best and for fitting me in
whenever I needed a last-minute appointment. I will having culture class with us. The lessons you taught will
I will never forget the night I was crowned Little Miss go with me throughout my lifetime. The Lumbee people
Lumbee. Hearing my name called was one of the proudest forever be grateful for your generosity. are blessed to have someone who cares so much about
moments of my life. Having the opportunity to represent Mooi Photography, Richard Mathis Photography, and Eye our culture, traditions, and history.
my beautiful people and teach others about our heritage Candy Photography, you are all so talented when it comes Mrs. Ivette and Mrs. Ruth, thank you for making my
and traditions was a dream come true. I never looked at to capturing the perfect shot. Thank you for all the beautiful regalias and for all the alterations throughout my
my crown as a prize. Instead, I looked at it as an beautiful pictures that were taken during my reign. They reign.
opportunity to educate, serve, learn, and make my will forever be cherished.
Lumbee people proud. There have been many people Taylor Brooke, my Tay, my saving grace, I could go on and Kendrix and Jonathan, you both have shown me so much
along the way who have shown love and support as I lived on about why I love you. You always make me laugh and love and I could never ask for a better vocal coach. You
guys are amazing.
out my dream and I love you all so much. I know if I want to take silly pictures or make silly videos,
First, I want to thank God for blessing me with such an you are always down. I have enjoyed our crazy car rides Mr. Hardin, LRDA staff, and LRDA Board of Directors, thank
you for the support, encouragement, and love shown
amazing opportunity. Without him, none of this would be and all the fun we had at appearances. I will never forget during my reign.
possible. when you spent the night with me, cuddled me in your
arms, and read me a bedtime story. I felt safe and loved Tribal Chairman Lowery, former Tribal Chairman Godwin,
Mama and daddy, thank you for always being my biggest and the Lumbee Tribe of NC, thank you for the support and
cheerleaders and encouraging me to never give up on my as I fell asleep in your arms. I love you forever and always. for always including us in your events.
dreams. You always make sure I know how special I am Kyla, my Tik Tok partner. I am forever grateful for the fun
and that I can do anything I set my mind to. Mama, I will times we shared and all the Tik Toks we made. I think Chancellor Cummings, thank you for being so supportive
always cherish all the talks, laughs, and encouraging everyone got tired of hearing us sing Tik Tok songs, but we of the Ambassadors and including us in events. We are
words you shared with during our car rides to my didn’t care, we would sing them anyway. We had so much blessed to have a university that continues the traditions
of our people and keeps our heritage alive.
appearances. Daddy, you made me feel like a princess as fun at appearances and even though it has come to an
you held my hand and twirled me around the dance floor end, our bond will forever remain. Don’t ever forget I love To my beautiful Lumbee people, what an honor it has been
at the coronation ball. How lucky am I to have the two of you more than you know. to represent people of such strength, beauty, pride, and
you as my parents. I love you both so much. Kynnady, where do I begin? You have truly been the best resilience. I hope I have made you proud.
Seth, Christian, and Jacy, my big brothers and my forever big sister. I have enjoyed every sleepover, car ride, and To the remainder of my family, friends, and supporters,
protectors. The ones I love beyond words. You are the appearance with you by my side. You always found a way thank you all so much for the support and love shown
best big brothers a girl could ever ask for. Christian, thank to make me happy whenever I was feeling sad. Thank you during my reign.
you for making sure my hair looked amazing when I for always being there for me. No matter what silly idea I To the next Little Miss Lumbee, you are in for the
couldn’t make it to the salon. Seth, thank you for had, you were down for it and never questioned me. We experience of a lifetime. Don’t take one single day for
surprising me at appearances when I didn’t know you will always share a bond that cannot be broken. You will granted and always remember your title is not about the
were going. Jacy, thank you for all the laughs and inside forever be my Kyn and I will forever be your Ry Bug. I love crown. It’s about being a role model, even when you think
jokes we share. you so much. nobody is watching. It’s about representing a tribe of
proud people who continue to fight for our place in
James, thank you for making sure I had a place to practice Mrs. Kayla, Mrs. Patricia, and Ms. Adrenna, the three of
when I was preparing to compete for Little Miss Lumbee. you are such amazing and strong women. Thank you for society. It’s about educating others but taking the time to
listen and learn as well. Enjoy your time as Little Miss
I appreciate you and all the running around you did to sharing your beautiful daughters with me and for always Lumbee because time flies when you’re having fun. This
collect sponsors for me. I love you. treating me like your own.
truly has been the best time of my life.
To my amazing grandparents, thank you for supporting me Mrs. Natascha, our amazing coordinator. You handled all
throughout my reign. You are always reminding me how the appearance requests, schedule conflicts, schedule
much you love me and how proud I make you. Your never- changes, and everything in between like a pro. I don’t
ending words of encouragement and all your hugs make know how you did it all, but I am thankful for you.
this little princess feel special. I love you all so much. Mrs. Crystal, you know how to put together a flawless For the last time, I am honored to say, I am your
Aunt Heather and Tamiah, thank you for taking me to pageant. The time and dedication you put into planning 2019-2022 Little Miss Lumbee
appearances when mama was not able to leave work and coordinating the Little and Junior Miss Pageant is Riley Madison Dial
Robeson Living ~ Summer 2022 Page 45