(Photo: Submission) Muscogee (Creek) citizen Jade McPeak pictured at the National Junior Miss United States Agriculture Pageant in Orlando, Florida.
Muscogee (Creek) citizen crowned as National Junior Miss United States Agriculture in Orlando
Darren DeLaune/Multimedia Specialist
McPeak, ray of sunshine in ‘Sunshine State’
CHECOTAH, Oklahoma — The new 2020 National Junior Miss United States Agriculture is Muscogee (Creek) citizen Jade McPeak of Checotah, Okla.
Ten-year-old McPeak was crowned as the National Junior Miss (NJM) Agriculture over the weekend of June 20 in Orlando, Florida. Several contestants from across the country competed in the two-day event.
McPeak said she brought some of her culture to the event when she had to do her introduction.
“I introduced myself in Creek,” Jade said. “My [great] grandpa [French Wildcat], and my JOM (Johnson O’Malley) teacher taught it to me.”
McPeak is already Oklahoma’s Junior Miss Agriculture but she felt that she could do good at the national competition.
“Being how she won the Oklahoma Junior Miss, she was able to compete for the national title,” her mother, Emmy McPeak said.
Away from pageants, Jade’s hobbies are showing her cattle and goats and taking care of them.
“I also like playing basketball and softball,” she said.
Jade has been active in the McIntosh County 4-H program for over three years. Throughout her reign as Oklahoma Junior Miss Agriculture, she was able to advocate for agriculture by reading to elementary students throughout her region and also attending several livestock shows.
Jade said she is going to enjoy being the NJM for 2020-2021 reign.
“I get to go other state pageants and crown their state winner,” Jade said.
National Director of the Miss United States Agriculture, Ciera Ingram believes events such as this pageant will help build strong leaders for the future.
“The idea behind the Miss United States Agriculture Pageant Program is to celebrate the agriculture industry and our local farmers all while promoting self-esteem, building strong leaders and awarding scholarships to encourage a continuous pursuit of education,” Ingram said. “As well as incorporating our motto: Teach. Inspire. Advocate.”
Jade hopes to continue teaching her generation during her reign and after about where food comes from and how it gets to their table.
Jade is the daughter of Jason and Emmy McPeak and is of the Hotvlkvlke (Wind Clan) and Koweta Tribal Town.