From left: Jaden Waters and Cydnee Miller.

Mr. and Miss American Indian OSU 2025-26 crowned

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor, Department of Brand Management | 405-744-7193 | jordan.bishop@okstate.edu

Saturday, Oklahoma State University crowned its newest Mr. and Miss American Indian inside the Student Union Theater.

Cydnee Miller, an accounting and finance major, received the Miss American Indian OSU title, and Jaden Waters, a history/pre-law major, was named Mr. American Indian OSU.

Miller, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, discussed her platform, “Mental Wellness among Native Americans,” in depth as she took the stage during the pageant.

“This issue is especially pressing on college campuses, where students often struggle with financial burdens, academic pressures and other challenges that affect their well-being,” Miller said. “At OSU, there is a large Native American student population, yet only a handful are involved in the Native American Student Association. Moving forward, it's crucial to foster a stronger sense of community, support and encouragement to ensure that Native American students feel seen, heard and empowered in their mental health journey.”

Waters is a member of the Kiowa tribe, and the platform he chose to pursue in the pageant is “Importance of Native American Philosophy.”

“This year, I hope to collaborate with other scholars on writing more meaningful pieces on Native American Philosophy,” Waters said.

Miller and Waters both said that one of their top goals is to increase the number of Native American students who join the Native American Student Association.

‘My goal is to encourage Native American students to engage in activities that not only benefit their well-being but also keep them connected to their culture,” Miller said.

Miller and Waters both received a $1,000 scholarship for winning the titles of Mr. and Miss American Indian.

The pageant was the last event of OSU’s American Indian Awareness Week, where students celebrated and promoted Native culture, sovereignty, and student success.

Visit sovnationcenter@okstate.edu to learn more.