by Jill Fite
Area 9 Education Chair
Do you have a princess in your handbell choir? Many of you will think: YES, I have a ringer who THINKS she is a princess, WANTS to be a princess, BELIEVES she should be treated like a princess, or TRIES to dominate the choir like she is royalty. I’m not talking about any of those princesses.
Meet Lani Kauahquo. She is the Hobart Powwow Princess. She lives in Hobart, Oklahoma. Lani is 13 years old and in the 8th grade. She goes to Hobart Public Schools, attends the First United Methodist Church, plays the flute in band, and sings and acts in local productions at Shortgrass Theater. She tried handbells for the first time a year ago and has learned quickly.
Lani was chosen as Hobart Powwow Princess because of her age and lineage in the Kiowa and Ponca tribes. She will retain the title until she resigns or another princess is appointed. Her responsibilities include: attendance at monthly Powwows at Red Buffalo Hall in the Carnegie Tribal Complex, participation in special family powwows, and representing her office in parades and ceremonial events.
Lani has a rich Native American heritage. Her mother was Kiowa Tia-Piah Society Princess. Her great-grandfather is Richard Kauahquo, a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. His great-grandfather is the famous Chief Lone Wolf, primary chief of the Kiowa Tribe in the 1800s. Lani’s great-grandmother is Diana Kauahquo (Roughface), a member of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. Both Kiowa and Ponca lineage influence her daily life. She wears Kiowa regalia because her hometown is part of the KCA (Kiowa Comanche Apache) Tribe.
It is a pleasure and a privilege to have Lani in our church bell choir. She has a wonderful attitude, sweet personality, and youthful enthusiasm for ringing. Do you have a princess in YOUR handbell choir?
