Holiday merry-makers

PORTALES — The 2019 little miss merry christmas candidates have been announced by the Ambassadors of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce. This year’s field includes 12 girls from ages 5-10 vying for the title.

As a part of Portales’ holiday tradition, the little miss merry christmas Contest raises funds to maintain the white Christmas lights that are on display throughout town and around the courthouse.

The contest runs until 5 p.m. Dec. 4. An official pre-parade Coronation Ceremony will take place at the historic Yam Theatre, 219 S. Main St., at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4.

The Christmas Jubilee and Lighted Christmas Parade is scheduled Dec. 6 with downtown activities beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the parade starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Portales Rec Center at 18th and Ave. I. The parade then travels to Avenue D then to Second Street and around the courthouse before disbanding at C&S, Inc. on First Street.

The contestant that raises the most money through donations collected by her sponsor and through additional fundraising efforts will be crowned little miss merry christmas with all runners-up receiving the title of Princess.

Celebrating its 33rd year, the Portales Christmas Jubilee is a holiday family tradition. This year’s activities include the Christmas Jubilee Lighted Parade as well as music and other activities on the square.

There is no entry fee for the parade but registration is required. Entry forms and detailed information for the Christmas parade can be picked up at the Chamber, 100 S. Ave. A, or call 575-356-8541 and the forms can be emailed or faxed. They can also be downloaded from the community calendar at: portales.com

• Addison Dominguez is the 10-year-old daughter of Juan and Debra Dominguez. She has a brother Landon. Addison is in the fifth grade at Dora schools. She has a dog named Lexi, a hamster Daphne and a horse called Biscuit. She plays volleyball, basketball and rodeo. She likes seeing family, eating good food and playing with the toys she gets for Christmas. Her sponsor is Creighton’s Town and Country.

• Alexandra Dorval is the 7-year-old daughter of August and Brett Cooper. She is a first-grader at Floyd schools. Her pets are named Anna and Hercules. Her hobbies include reading, coloring and playing. Her sponsor is Hydration Station.

• Annabelle Barr-Gilber is the 5-year-old daughter of Amalia McCubbins. She has an older sister Abby. Annabelle is in kindergarten at Brown Elementary School. She has three dogs, Houlk, Aurora and Blue. Her hobbies include dancing, reading, dress-up, playing with her older sister and playing sports. She likes getting presents at Christmas and Santa and his elves. Her sponsor is Do Drop In.

• Athena Valverde is the 6-year-old daughter of Anai Jimenez. She has an older brother Jeremiah. She has three pets and enjoys cheerleading. The things she likes best about Christmas are the presents, snow and decorating. Her sponsor is Super 8 by Wyndham Portales.

• Aubrey Jo Lemier is the 7-year-old daughter of Joe and Heather Lemier. She has three older sisters, Madison, Shelby and Cydney, who is a former contestant herself. She is a first-grader at James Elementary. Aubrey has a dachshund named Tilly and a horse named Wingnutt. She likes playing outside and riding horses. The things she likes about Christmas are being with family, getting gifts, Christmas lights and decorating. Her sponsor is J.P. Stone Community Bank.

• Elsie Lynn Mathews is the 6-year-old daughter of Jordan and Deveri Mathews. She has two younger siblings Avalon and John. She is homeschooled (Farm Explorers Academy). Her pets include dogs, a cat, and three mini horses as well as a barnyard of other animals. Her interests include 4-H, writing stories, piano and helping take care of her little brother. The things she likes about Christmas are that you sometimes get to see family and it’s Jesus’ birthday. Her sponsor is College Cleaners.

• Grace Maria Walton is the 8-year-old daughter of Mike and Alicia Walton. She has an older sister, Lucia. She is a second-grader at James Elementary. Her pets are Oscar and Ringo. She likes playing volleyball. She likes looking at Christmas lights. Her sponsor is Ace Hardware.

• Gracelynn Coddington is the 5-year-old daughter of Elaine Nettles. Her siblings include a twin brother, Grayson, along with four older sisters Brianna, Syndee, Desiree, and Rebekah. She is a kindergartner at Brown Elementary School. Her pets are dogs Skyy, Hank, Pepper, Gidget and Shadow along with three fish. She likes playing basketball and t-ball. The best things about Christmas for her are presents, Santa and Christmas lights. Her sponsor is Yucca Telecom.

• Graciella Love Rega is the 7-year-old daughter of Anthony and Claudia Rega. She has an older sister, Zabrina, and a younger brother, Anthony. She is a second-grader at James Elementary. Her pets are Weezy, Sage, Quasar and Luna. She likes cheer, softball and playing with her pets. At Christmas she likes that we get to celebrate Jesus’ birthday and decorating the Christmas tree and baking and cooking. Her sponsor is La Paz Restaurant.

• Kenya Rubi Neyra is the 5-year-old daughter of Cruz Moncada and Luis Neyra. She has a younger sister, Samantha, two older brothers, Fernando and Uriel, and an older sister, Britany. She is a kindergartner at Brown Elementary. She has two dogs, likes to draw and play with her dogs

and siblings. She likes Christmas food, presents and decorating the Christmas tree. Her sponsor is High Plains Building Solutions.

• Naomi Schaefer is the 7-year-old daughter of Brianna Blair, Shannon Schaefer, Matthew Burris and Cely Vicuna. She is the oldest of her siblings Elijah and Charlotte. Naomi attends second grade at James Elementary School. She has a dog named Sandy. Her hobbies include ballet, painting, music, Minecraft, skating and Barbies. Her favorite things about Christmas are that it’s Jesus’ birthday, Christmas trees and spending time with family. Her sponsor is La Casa Family Health Center.

• Talia Andrea Turner is the 5-year-old daughter of Samantha Orozco. She attends Pre-K at Brown Elementary. Her pets’ names are Bella and Maggie. She likes dressing up and being sassy. Her favorite things about Christmas are wrapping presents and baking cookies. Her sponsor is Hampton Farms.