Tuesday night was spent dancing and celebrating for the new Miss Indian UNM.
Jessica Valdez, a UNM sophomore, was crowned in SUB Ballroom A after submitting a personal statement, showcasing her talents and responding to an impromptu question.
She said the competition was like a roller-coaster ride.
"Your heart beats real fast and then you breathe," Valdez said. "I had great girls running with me and I think we fed off of each other's energy."
Three UNM American-Indian students were up for the title and were judged on personal statements and talents. They were rated on impromptu questions including context, poise and knowledge of native language, among other things.
"We are very lucky this year to have such a diverse group vying for the title," said Miss Indian World and UNM student Onawa Lacy.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Valdez's newfound interest in flamenco had her performing four coplas for the contemporary talent category. She chose the buffalo dance as her traditional talent because she said the dance brings a lot of joy to her family's heart, and she said she hoped it would do the same for the audience.
The talent scores held the most weight in the competition - the impromptu question and personal statement were equal in value.
Valdez said education is the biggest problem indigenous people face. It is a crucial part of American Indian's lives, she said, and she would like to share it with others.
Her first duty will be to serve as mistress of ceremonies Friday at a reception for Miss Indian World contestants in the SUB. She will also speak at the American-Indian student graduation and serve as an executive officer of the Kiva Club.
Serving on the judge's panel were UNM Regent Sandra Begay-Campbell, Associate Professor Anita Pfeiffer, Student Affairs Specialist Yvonne Pe§a, Tribes Program Director Eric Tippeconnic and Angela DeLorme-Gaines from the law school.
Valdez's main focus as Miss Indian UNM will be to help students, and she said she hopes they can look to her as someone they can trust.
Gifts ranging from flowers to scholarships were given to Valdez, with the final gift being a crown.
First runner-up in the pageant was UNM senior Stephanie Scissons, and the second runner-up was fourth-year UNM student Kimberly Gleason. The runners-up received gift cards and carnation bouquets.
Outgoing Miss Indian UNM Jerelene Yazzie said she believes in Valdez and assured her before the competition that everything falls in place when wanted badly enough.
"I still am in awe of this whole thing right now," Valdez said. "It was really good, my heart was pounding. That is the thing that I remember the most - my heart was pounding, and I am so excited. I've been on a roller coaster and I feel like I'm just getting off now."
