Pageant winners looking forward

After a week of long nights, early mornings and daily events the Miss New Mexico and Miss New Mexico Outstanding Teen pageants have come to a close so the new title holders can prepare for the Miss America pageant.

Miss Portales’ Outstanding Teen Madison Belcher, 16, was crowned Miss New Mexico Outstanding Teen Saturday along with the 2016 Miss New Mexico Stephanie Chavez, 23, the former Miss Albuquerque.

Greg Smith, executive director of the Miss New Mexico scholarship organization, said the pageant had a turnout of over 400 people and awarded $22,000 in scholarships over the week.

“It was a great time had by all,” said Smith.

He said the pageant had no major problems throughout the week except for the expected bumps from handling so many people at one time.

The girls said the week was tiring, but they had so much fun that it barely mattered.

“We didn’t get a whole lot of sleep, but I feel like I have grown a lot,” said Belcher.

Belcher said she is going to take with her the two simple strategies she used for the MNMOT pageant to the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant — hard work and doing her best.

“I just hope I can serve New Mexico,” Belcher said.

She said her friends and fellow competitors surrounded her Saturday night and gave her a literal round of applause, where they clap in a circle, to celebrate her win. She said this is something they had done all week and that friendship is what the pageant was all about for her.

“I was just overwhelmed by all the support,” she said. “In the future, I really look forward to getting to keep in touch with all the girls I have met.”

She said over the next couple weeks she will have the opportunity to travel across the country, see the Miss Texas pageant and try out a whole new outfit, which she will use for the national competition.

Chavez said she has similar endeavors ahead of her but unlike Belcher, who already lives in Portales, she will be settling into her new Alta Terra home to prepare for nationals.

She said she also looks forward to maintaining all the friendships she has gained at Miss New Mexico.

“This week was demanding, we spent a lot of time on our feet, with early mornings and late rehearsals, but I got to hang out with my friends and hear their stories, hear their laughter, and I am just so excited about that,” Chavez said.

She said with all the expectations and business ahead of her, she wants to make sure she brings a smile and an upbeat perspective through the whole adventure.

“You have to maintain happiness through the whole thing; it is so important,” she said.