Develynn Hall, Sophia Martin vie for 2023-24 Miss Shoshone-Bannock
Miss Shoshone-Bannock contestants Develynn Hall (left) and Sophia Martin
Develynn Hall: Integrity, honesty, humility important
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Develynn Hall is a contestant for Miss Shoshone-Bannock. She’s always wanted to run for the title and feels now is the time she’s ready for it.
When asked what it takes to be a good representative for Miss Shoshone-Bannock, she said it’s to have integrity, honesty, humility, and being open when it comes to learning.
She feels her background working for the tribes at the Sho-Ban Casino Hotel front desk for two years and working with youth at the Boys & Girls Club, as well as being in the Army National Guard and her work with the Fort Hall Veterans Organization have prepared her for this important role.
Develynn is 21-years-old and a resident of the Gibson District. Her Indian name is Dazseeum Yhp meaning “Star Woman.” Her parents are Bryce Hall and Helena Jack.
If selected as Miss Shoshone-Bannock her platform will be to fight to empower the youth. Her involvement with the Fort Hall Youth Council has shown her the importance of what youth can do in uplifting their community.
Enlisting in the Idaho Army National Guard has been a huge contributor to her growth by giving her more confidence, discipline and motivation.
“It allowed me to open up more freely within myself,” she said.
Her military occupation is a 74D; Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Specialist (CBRN). She attends drill at the Blackfoot Armory. She falls under the 1-116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team, specifically the 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment, Alpha Battery. Her job consists of conducting CBRN training for her unit, managing the CBRN room with various equipment, and advising the Commander on how to navigate CBRN situations and environments.
Her message to youth is to be involved within their community and to be supportive and encouraging of their peers.
Her honors include being a Private First Class in the Idaho Army National Guard. She’s a commanding officer of the Fort Hall Veteran’s Organization. She’s CPR/First Aid certified, Hazmat certified. She’s the Boys & Girls Club Youth Development Professional and a UNITY advisor.
She’s served her community by taking part in the color guard at powwows and events; being a tribal youth advisor; student travel chaperone for UNITY; teacher for Boys & Girls Club members; Idaho Out of School STEM Lab trainer.
Her hobbies include writing short stories and poems, spending time with her family and friends, traveling locally and out of state , and karaoke singing in the car with her friends.
Her educational goals are to go to Idaho State University and participate in the ROTC program.
Develynn late aunt, Tara Hall, has made a huge impact in her life and showed her how to be playful and interact with others, especially kids.
“At the end of the day we are big influences on how they are brought up and so I kind of strive to be like her,” she said.
Develynn is a traditional dancer. Her regalia was made by her great, great grandmother, Dolly Waterhouse Ponzo, it’s an old style dress learned from her mother.
During the competition, for her traditional dish, she will be making two types of traditional Indian tea. She learned how to prepare the tea by her grandmother Ilene Ballard Williams.
For her traditional talent presentation she’ll be deboning the hindquarters of a deer, which was a skill she learned from her father.
Sophia Martin wants to see youth thrive, enjoy life
FORT HALL — Sophia Martin, 20, is a Miss Shoshone-Bannock candidate.
She is the daughter of Lebyron and Amanda Martin. She resides in the Fort Hall District. Her Indian name is Standing with Horse.
Her platform as Miss Shoshone-Bannock will be to stand up to abuse, rape and sex trafficking. She wants people to know there are people who are willing to stand up for victims of it, to help them out of that kind of predicament. “Everyone matters I want them to know they can better themselves and turn their life around and not be scared to ask for help,” she said in her application.
She attended the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy where she became certified in blood pressure checks and drawing blood. She was able to graduate early and focus on herself to learn independence and entering adulthood.
Her message for youth is she wants them to know the world is bigger than the reservation. “I want to see them thrive, go out and enjoy your life but always remember there is a consequence to your actions.” She said if you got a chance take it. “Don’t ever let anyone belittle you, no matter what you do someone is always going to say something but it is your life go make something of yourself.”
Sofia’s involvement in the community is every year she volunteers to help pick up trash. She also volunteered to help at a shelter/thrift store where she helped give out food and necessities to those in need.
Her hobbies include going to powwows, hand gaming, rafting, paddle boarding, going on walks, being around horses, four wheeling, swimming, beading, attending relays and rodeos.
Sophia is looking into attending Central Wyoming College in Riverton to become a certified nurse’s assistant.
Sophia’s style of dance is traditional. She recently made both of her traditional dresses with her bahu Megan Pabawena. “It means a lot to me because we both learned as we went.” Her grandma Tracy Martin did a set of her beadwork and Pabawena helped her on another set. Her hutsi Armina Martin helped her make her high top leggings that was also a learning experience. She noted traditional is an old style dress — it’s been around before jingle and fancy style was brought up. She said old style traditional was danced when our people would get ready to go into war with the colonizers and other tribes.
Her traditional dish is making ash bread and dried deer meat with spring water. Her hutsi Armina and her uppah Lebron Martin Jr. are who sat her down, made her watch and learn.
Her traditional talent will be scraping and tanning a hide. She will show how her family scrapes and tans a hide.
Sophia said an experience that helped her grow as a young lady is learning from her mistakes she’s done wrong such as in school and trying to figure out her life. “We all do things we regret doing but it is up to you if you want to learn from it.”
She was first attendant to Miss Shoshone-Bannock 2022-23 Kaycee Dixey.
