Serving the High Plains

Former area high school students wins crown

Staff Report

A Logan High School graduate has qualified to compete in the Miss New Mexico state pageant to be held June 13-18 at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, where the winner will go on to compete in the national Miss America Pageant.

Leah Taylor, a 2014 LHS graduate and second-year student at ENMU was named as a 2016 title holder “Miss Quay County” on April 16 at a spring workshop at ENMU in Portales.

The initial Miss Portales Extravaganza was held in Portales in November, where Alexa Vigil, 20, of Portales was chosen Miss Portales, and Madison Belcher, 15, of Texico was chosen Miss Portales Outstanding Teen.

As with the extravaganza, Taylor said she and 10 other contestants performed talents as well as having personal interviews and an evening gown and swimsuit competition.

“Getting on stage in an evening gown or my swimsuit is not something I would of imagined myself doing two years ago,” Taylor said.

Taylor said her path to the pageants began a year ago, while attending ENMU and speaking with her friend, Diana Gallegos, Miss Ruidoso 2015. She said Gallegos explained to her how participating in the events was a great way to give back to the community. “Giving back to the community and making a difference is something that I want to do,” Taylor said.

Taylor said while competing in the pageant, she is advocating for breast cancer awareness and education. She said this is an issue that affects women of all ages. She said as part of competing in the pageant, she is excited and happy to raise funds for the Children's Miracle Network.

“I plan on holding a bake sale Saturday in Logan along with other events,” Taylor said.

Taylor said there are additional expenses associated with competing in pageants and will be trying to raise an additional $350 to cover those cost.

Taylor is a second-year student at ENMU who is studying to major in psychology with a minor in sociology.

The following were the winners of the spring workshop pageant held April 16 at Eastern New Mexico University:

• Leah Taylor - Miss Quay County

• Kaci Benge - Miss Lea County

• Kathryn Kincheloe - Miss Roosevelt County

• Amanda Schaap - Miss Clovis

• Marissa Manzanares - Miss Blackwater Draw

• Ashlea Watley - Miss Roswell

• Kagan Massey - Miss Hobbs

A summer workshop will be held June 4-5 in Albuquerque.