List of Appearances through July 31, 2008

Teen Miss & Miss Lumbee Pageant
Coronation Ball
40th Annual Lumbee Homecoming Parade
AISES Powwow
Sugar & Spice Fashion Show
Outdoor Concert
LRDA Fireworks Show
Television interview with Tribal Chairman, Jimmy Goins
Vacation Bible School, Hyde Park Baptist Church
Caring Touch Home Health Care Family Day
Youth Empowerment Powwow
Miss North Carolina All American Pageant

Happy Birthday, Miss Ashley!

Vacation Bible School at Hyde Park Baptist Church

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
After a fun week of learning about the Fruit of the Spirit, Drew had the opportunity to dance at the Grand Finale of VBS at her church, Hyde Park Baptist Church in Lumberton, NC. Church is a big part of Drew's life, but Jesus is an even bigger part. Last September, Drew accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Let me just use this opportunity to say that there is no greater joy as a parent than knowing that your child is a born again child of God and will spend eternity in heaven. All the crowns and sashes in the world cannot compare. It is my prayer that Drew will always bear good fruit!

Thanks, Page and Ms. Sharon, for coming to watch Drew dance. We had a fun time hanging out with you at the Waffle House afterwards. Thanks also to Ms. Belinda (VBS Director) and Ms. Barbie (Drew's VBS teacher) who both worked hard to make VBS so special.
www.lovinglumberton.com

Television Interview with Tribal Chairman, Jimmy Goins

Pictured below are Drew, Kayla, Page and Ashley with Tribal Chairman, Jimmy Goins. The ambassadors were all smiles for the cameras as they were interviewed by Mr. Goins. The interviews aired on WPEM-TV47 on Sunday, July 20th.
During Drew's interview, Mr. Goins told her that the month of November would be very busy, and he asked her if she was going to keep up with her homework. Drew's reply was, "Probably not!"
Mr. Chairman, not only as Drew's mother, but also as her teacher, I assure you that Drew will be keeping up with her homework.

It's Official!

On Monday, Drew signed her contract. She is pictured with Mr. James A. Hardin, Executive Director of LRDA.












*Mr. Hardin, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

40th Annual Lumbee Homecoming

Homecoming day started early and ended late, but it was a fun, fun day. Drew and the other ambassadors attended the following events: Lumbee Homecoming Parade, AISES powwow, Sugar & Spice fashion show, the Outdoor Concert, and the Fireworks Show. Drew was a tired, but happy, princess when she went to bed Saturday night. It was truly an exciting start to Drew's reign.

Coronation Ball---It's time to really dance!

After one last wardrobe change, it was time to really dance. Goldrush & a DJ took the stage and the party began. Drew had a ball dancing. In fact, we all did. I haven't danced in years. After the dance, I asked Nick & Drew how I did, they said that they weren't too embarrassed by my dancing, but I probably should just watch next time. Drew, Kenda, Kayla, Brooke, Alexis Rising, and Alexis Jones danced and danced. Drew did stop dancing for about 5 minutes to gulp down a piece of chicken. Other than that, she stayed on the dance floor until I dragged her off at 11:15pm.

Coronation Ball---It's time to dance!

While guests at the ball enjoyed a buffet dinner, Drew, Kayla, Page, and Ashley took off their regalia, changed into their white evening gowns, touched up their lipstick, and took down the Navajo buns. Thanks, Miss Ashley, for working on Drew's hair so she could look pretty for her dance with her Dad.

After dinner, the girls & their escorts were formally introduced to the ball guests. Drew was escorted by her dad, Kyle Chavis.

Finally, it was time to dance! Drew had been waiting all day. If you know Drew at all, you know that Drew LOVES to dance. At practice earlier in the day, she couldn't pay attention to what she was supposed to be doing because she was trying to figure out where the dance floor would be that night.

Kyle and Drew took the dance floor and danced the waltz, with Drew leading of course. She had informed Kyle earlier in the day that she had learned how to waltz at dance class and she would help him get it right. It was precious to see the two of them. Both were so happy, Daddy and his little princess. (Kim, stop crying!) At the end of the song, Drew wanted to dance with Nicholas. Now, if you know anything about Nicholas, you know that he doesn't LOVE to dance. However, it was Drew's special night and he happily obliged.

Coronation Ball---Traditional Crowning & Oath

After a long wait, it was finally time to line up and get serious. The girls came in one by one and after they were smudged, the outgoing queen crowned the new queen with the traditional crown. The traditional crown is passed down from queen to queen. Kenda crowned Drew and then Drew took her oath. The other girls followed until all of the new queens were crowned and had taken their oath.

Drew's oath:

I, Emily Drew Chavis, do affirm that I will uphold my duties as Little Miss Lumbee. As an Ambassador, I will encourage, promote and enhance the values and culture of the Lumbee People in all I do and say.



Kenda, as you were crowning Drew, I was thinking that Drew has big shoes to fill. I knew from the moment you were crowned that you would be a terrific Little Miss Lumbee. You have served your community, your tribe, your family and your Jesus well! Congratulations to both you and your family on a job well done!

Coronation Ball---Before the Ball

While waiting on the ball to begin, the new queens and the outgoing queens were able to spend some time with each other. As always, Taley and Alexis were entertaining; Miss Jocelyn was busy taking care of everyone; and Kenda was there being her normal, sweet self. As the mom of a newly crowned queen, it was nice to see how well the 2007-2008 queens got along. It was also nice to see the bond starting to form with the 2008-2009 court. Drew & Ashley instantly connected. Drew fell totally in love with "Miss Ashley". Drew & Kayla had fun putting on make-up in the bathroom and just being little girls who were playing princess for the evening (and for the next year!). We all laughed as Page told us how she still wasn't sure she was going to win even after she had won all the trophies. The highlight of my evening was when I got to pray for and with the girls and their moms.

Nicholas

Thanks to everyone who has been concerned about Nicholas over the past week. If you spoke with Nicholas during the weeks leading up to the pageant, you know that he did not want his sister to win. Not because Nicholas didn't think that Drew was good enough, but because Nicholas likes to be at home and he knew that Drew being Little Miss Lumbee would require a lot of traveling. I am happy to report that Nicholas is doing fine. He has even named himself official bodyguard to the new ambassadors and is on a mission to protect them at all costs. He's a good big brother and in his own way has told Drew that he is proud of her. In fact, last night at bedtime, I overheard him say to her, "Good night, Drew, I love being your brother and your bodyguard." In case you are still worried about Nicholas, he says to let you know that books and Krispy Kreme doughnuts will ease the pain.

Drew & Kayla's First Appearance as Little Miss & Junior Miss Lumbee

Poised with confidence and smiles Drew and Kayla took the stage to introduce themselves at the Teen/Miss Lumbee pageant on Thursday night. After the pageant there were many photo opportunities.








Drew & Miss Forsyth County, Erica Dellinger
Erica is the only Lumbee Ambassador to hold all four Lumbee titles: Little, Junior, Teen, & Miss.







Drew & Miss Indian World







Drew & former Miss Lumbee, Morgan Hunt








Drew, Morgan, & Miss UNCP , Jamie Hunt

New Lumbee Ambassadors

Congratulations to the 2008-2009 Lumbee Ambassadors!
Junior Miss Lumbee Kayla Morgan
Teen Miss Lumbee Page Jones
Miss Lumbee Ashley Haywood

Little Miss Lumbee Pageant

What a great pageant it was! Drew was glad to be the one to wear the crown home, but in all honesty, it was a tough pageant and all of the girls did a fantastic job. Any one of them deserved to win. Mahlea, you are precious and that smile of yours is infectious. Kaylee, you looked so beautiful and Drew has enjoyed getting to know you. Keep singing for the Lord! Bailey, can you please teach Drew how to fancy dance like that? Tala, you too were beautiful and have the voice of an angel.

At the end of the night, Drew came home with the title of Little Miss Lumbee, the talent award for her lyrical dance to "Let Them Be Little", the best dress award, and my personal favorite, the Congeniality award, which was voted on by the contestants. Congratulations, Drew!

Thank you to all of Drew's sponsors and everyone who gave for her signature poster. She could not have done this without your support!






Oh, I forgot to mention that Drew won a bicycle too!






See Lumbeehomecoming.com for more pageant pictures.

The Journey Begins!!!

"Hello, everyone! My name is Emily Drew Chavis, your new Little Miss Lumbee!"