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Published: September 26, 2019

Crownpoint, NM – On September 4, 2019, Leomi Foster of St. Micheals Arizona, a sophomore dual majoring in Veterinary Technician and Welding Technology, was crowned the 2019-2020 Miss Navajo Technical University. Ms. Foster is Tábaahá born for Tóbaazhní’ázhi, her maternal grandparents clans are Kinlichíi’nii and her paternal grandparents clan is Honágháanii. She is the third Welding major to win the crown in the past three years following in the footsteps of Verna Casamero and Kuwanyauma Bahe.

“For me, holding a prestigious title means to honor and respect Navajo women and womanhood in every aspect and to display leadership and to be a role model that encourages the younger females to be comfortable with themselves,” said Ms. Foster as she discussed her platform and ambitions as the representative for NTU. “I also want to attend as many community events to promote good health, our Navajo language and culture, the educational opportunities at Navajo Technical University, and bring more awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.”

Foster outlasted two other competitors for the crown of Miss Navajo Technical University, including Early Childhood Multicultural Education major Nicole Brown of Sanders, AZ and Legal Assistant major Briana Ayze of Many Farms, AZ. The pageant involved three rounds of competition, including a contemporary and modern talent and forum for questions. For her contemporary talent, Foster displayed self-defense techniques to the audience and followed up her demonstration with a presentation on horses and their impact on Diné culture. She also answered questions on the Diné philosophy of education and her goals as Miss Navajo Technical University.

Miss Southwestern Navajo and the 2017-2018 Miss NTU Kuwanyauma Bahe crowned Foster at the pageant as the previous Miss NTU, Verna Casamero, had obtained employment as a welding assistant working for a company in Louisiana. The judging panel for the competitions included former Navajo Nation royalties, Ronda Joe and Angela Barney–Nez, NTU Human Resources director Ralph Roanhorse, and NTU Substance Abuse counselor Cheryll Atine.

Foster intends to complete and earn her certificate from NTU’s Welding Technology program this semester after she attained her American Welding Society certification in D1.1 3Gn.4G structural arc welding in the spring. After she graduates, Foster will try for her 6G pipe welding certification before continuing into NTU’s American Veterinary Medical Association accredited Veterinary Technology program.

Miss Navajo Technical University is available for public engagements and can be contacted at [email protected]. To learn more about the pageant and the competitions contact Mr. Micheal McMillan at [email protected] or at (505) 786-5100.