• Hometown: Round Rock, Arizona (Chinle Agency)
• Age during reign: 20
• Education: Skyline High School 1996, Mesa Community College majoring in Dental Hygiene, Brigham Young University majoring in Public Relations
• Clans:
  • Mother: Coyote Pass People (Ma'iideeshgiizhnii)
  • Father: Bitter Water People (Todich'ii'nii)
  • Grandfather: Under His Cover People (Bit'ahnii)
  • Nalii: Water's Edge People (Ta'baahi')

She is the daughter of Robert James and Aurelia Begay of Chinle, Arizona. Twenty year old Sevaleah is a native originally from the small community of Round Rock, Arizona which is within the Chinle Agency. She was raised by her grandparents in a traditional hogan and participated in herding sheep, weaving, planting and gaining valuable teachings such as songs, prayers and stories. A 1996 graduate of Skyline High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sevaleah was a student under the Indian Placement Program and was active in many extra-curricular activities. Her hobbies include horseback riding, running and reading.

As a child, her dream was to someday become Miss Navajo Nation and to proudly share with her people the teachings bestowed upon her by her elders. Her dream became a reality on September 12, 1998. Prior to this honor, she also held the prestigious title of Miss Central Navajo 1997-1998.

As the Goodwill Ambassador of the Navajo Nation, Sevaleah will represent the beauty of the Navajo way of life. Her main focus and goals is to continue the preservation of the Navajo culture, language and history of the Navajo Nation as well as helping her people understand the importance of modern technology. By combining the elements of balance and harmony, we will adapt to both the traditional and modern worlds.

When ask the question, "If you were selected as Miss Navajo Nation, what important message or theme would you want to personally stress and emphasize during your reign? Why?", her answer was the following.

"If selected, I would show my deepest respect for my people and mother earth. I would sing my people's songs, tell my people's tales and prayers with my people. Most importantly, I would promote and perpetuate our traditional culture, history, language and our Dine' people in the most positive manner possible. Our sacred Dine' philosophy teaches us to set high standards for ourselves and challenge ourselves so we can all live together on this land respecting one another and live in everlasting happiness with Beauty surrounding us as we walk. We can learn to stand together by means of our clanship and develop a strong sense of belonging and learn to walk together and have all things around us and in us in beauty."

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