Savannah Cunningham, at only 18-yearsold, has already attained the crowning achievement of becoming the second runner-up for the Strawberry Queen Pageant during the 78th annual Strawberry Festival in Stilwell.
From the humble town of Bunch, nestled in the intersection between Sallisaw, Stilwell and Tahlequah, she and her family spend most weeks on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Sequoyah County helping to sell her family’s produce at the weekly Sallisaw Farmers Market.
Her family has been in the farm business full-time since 2014, though her father has been an accomplished farmer since 2003. On their farm, they raise a variety of animals such as sheep, pigs, cows and chickens, and grow just about every vegetable you can think of, from tomatoes, onions, cauliflower and peppers, to some root crops and squashes. Over the last year, Cunningham has even started her own garden growing different herbs.
Cunningham was home-schooled by her mother on the family farm and graduated on May 23. She was taught using an un-home schooling approach alongside other family groups, allowing the younger children to obtain important social skills and go on field trips.
In the un-home schooling method, she was taught both inside the home, but a higher emphasis was placed on outside hands-on learning in real-world situations, such as in cooking, doing simple construction and interacting with all walks of life.
Working with her family at the farmer’s market has been one of the greatest opportunities for her to learn these skills.
“It has taught me business skills, such as money management and how to build valuable connections with those around me,” Cunningham said.
One of her closest friends, whom she met over eight years ago, was a fellow vendor at the market. Last summer the pair went on a mission trip to Kentucky to help with Vacation Bible School at a local church there.
Aside from working at the farmer’s market, participating in the Strawberry Festival has been one of Cunningham’s greatest accomplishments.
“The experience has helped me to learn how to better help and be involved with the community,” she said.
Before winning as the runner-up, she was crowned Strawberry Princess in 2011. Growing up, she always attended the pageant with her mother and dreamed of being part of it someday.
“The girls always looked beautiful and were great role models for the community,” she said, putting a great emphasis on community, stating that she loves being a part of the community and it is the reason for doing what she does.
Through the pageant experience, Cunningham had the opportunity to travel to Oklahoma City, where she met state representatives, the governor, and senators. She even sat in on a Senate session, and watched as state bills were discussed and passed. Later, she helped distribute strawberries to the chief and representatives of the Cherokee Nation. She was also interviewed by two local radio stations, Bill’s Country and Lake’s Country in Tahlequah.
One of Cunningham’s favorite parts of the pageant was getting to know the other contestants, many of whom are now among her closest friends. In preparation for the pageant, she learned to perform a step-turn, sit properly, and carry herself in a ladylike manner, although she says that most of the points in order to win came from her interview.
Cunningham is passionate about both her home in Adair county and her work in Sequoyah, appreciating how easy it is to meet people and how there is always a friendly face to talk to and pray with.
In the future she hopes to one day open a bed and breakfast with her mother, continue her involvement with the community, and eventually get married and start a family.
