Local teen wins pageant

STAFF WRITER

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Miss Portales’ Outstanding Teen Madison Belcher, 16, was crowned Miss New Mexico’s Outstanding Teen Saturday at the finals for the Miss New Mexico teen pageant.

Correspondent photo: Ronnie Cain

Miss Portales’ Outstanding Teen Madison Belcher waves to the crowd Saturday afternoon after she is crowned the 2016 Miss New Mexico’s Outstanding Teen.

Sharron Melton, 1993 Miss New Mexico and mistress of ceremonies, hosted the final show for the teen pageant.

“There are so many young people who have learned from these young ladies,” said Melton. “They can do anything they set their minds to.”

Sasha Butcher, the 2015 Miss New Mexico Outstanding Teen, also shared encouraging words for the contestants and for potential future contestants.

“Just go out and do it,” said Butcher. “The friends I make, even on the state level, are incredible. Anyone who wants to try can do it.”

“(It’s) really an accomplishment,” said Butcher. “It’s bittersweet. I’m excited to see what’s next.”

The four runners-up were Miss Duke City Teen Sienna Mascarenas, Miss Las Cruces Teen Abrianna Morales, Miss Land of Enchantment Teen Ashley Purcella, and Miss Holloman Teen Misa Tran.

Rounding out the top 10 were Miss Albuquerque Teen Theresa Kennedy, Miss Alamogordo Teen Samantha Madigan, Miss Sandia Teen Analesa Maldonado, Miss Rio Rancho Teen Kenzie Haarlow and Miss Roswell Teen Abbi Roe.

Miss Las Vegas Teen Andrea Gomez was awarded with the Miss Congeniality award. Morales and Roe tied for the Scholastic Achievement award. Kennedy was awarded with the Teen in Action award for her platform, “PAVE: Shattering the Silence on Sexual Violence.”

For the talent competition, Belcher performed a piano piece called “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” which incorporated pop, classical and ragtime musical styles.

During the evening wear, on-stage question portion of the contest, Melton asked Belcher what important issue she would discuss with the U.S. president.

Belcher responded that she would discuss international agriculture.

“It’s such an important part of our lives,” said Belcher, adding that she would discuss with the president to make it a goal by 2050 to provide enough resources to feed nine billion people worldwide.

This response relates to Belcher’s platform for the pageant, titled “Growing Roots of Change: Increasing self-sufficiency Through Agricultural Education.”

Belcher will be receiving a $1,000 scholarship and will be traveling to Chicago to model for Rachel Allan as part of her prize package.

Belcher will be competing at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant in August in Florida.