The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Pow Wow has become an institution in the Atmore area, but within the festivities programs like the annual Princess Contest have also become traditions.

The process to become a Poarch Creek Indian Princess is more complicated than an uninformed person might assume.

Contestants must go through an interview process the night before the competition and on the day of the competition, they must answer a question on stage before a large crowd of those attending the annual Pow Wow.

Contestants are judged based on qualities like values, confidence, knowledge of tribal policy and community involvement, among other things.

The 2012 Poarch Creek Indian Princesses include: Elementary Princess Kinzie Rackard, Junior Princess Madison McGhee and Senior Princess Samantha Miller.

Rackard is a student at Bratt Elementary. McGhee is a sophomore at Northview High School, while Miller is a senior at Baldwin County High School in Bay Minette.

The first alternate at the elementary division was Sydney Lisenby. The first alternate at the junior division was Shawnee Mcgee. The first alternate at the senior division was Destany Morris and the second alternate at the senior division was Elizabeth Mitchell.

The new princesses were given their new dress wear by the outgoing princesses. The past year’s princesses included: Senior Princess Breiah Adams, Junior Princess Kennedy McGhee and Elementary Princess Mallory Gibson.

New Junior Princess Madison McGhee also received the Spirit Award as voted on by her peers. The Talent Award wound up being a tie between new Senior Princess Samantha Miller and first alternate Destany Morris.

Following the awards, outgoing Senior Princess Breiah Adams gave a heartfelt farewell speech that had a number of people in attendance emotionally stirred. She thanked all those who made her tenure a positive experience.