On Aug. 14, New Mexico State University (NMSU) announced that student, Lianna Hartshorn, won the Miss New Mexico pageant and will participate in the upcoming Miss America competition. According to an NMSU press release, holding the title of Miss New Mexico, Lianna Hartshorn is dedicated to empowering children and women, with plans to extend her mission across the country.
“My goal for Miss America is to make history and become the first woman from the Land of Enchantment to win the Miss America title,” Hartshorn said in the press release.
Raised in Las Cruces, Hartshorn's involvement in pageants began at 14, leading her to enter the Miss Teen New Mexico contest within the Miss America organization, according to the press release. Following her win as Miss Las Cruces, she ambitiously advanced to the statewide platform and secured the prestigious Miss New Mexico title in June. Hartshorn now prepares for the upcoming Miss America competition in January as one of the event's youngest participants.
As the first Jewish Miss New Mexico, Hartshorn draws inspiration from her parents, faith, love for children, and commitment to education. In her hometown of Las Cruces, Hartshorn's parents operate the Freedom Church where she assists in nursery and Sunday school activities. Both her parents are alumni of NMSU, the same institution where she is pursuing studies in biology and chemistry. Hartshorn's mother is a nurse and, she wants to follow in her mother's footsteps by seeking a career in healthcare as a pediatric surgeon.
“I was inspired by my parents growing up because they do so much for their community and they always put people first,” said Hartshorn, according to the press release. “I also wanted to represent my people as well as shed light on past antisemitism that I have had to face with the struggle of being Jewish and facing that unfortunate ridicule.”
Hartshorn is dedicated to empowering women and encourages others to become more involved in their community and the Miss America organizations.
“I want to give hope to women regardless of their culture, ethnicity or religion, that they are able to be successful in organizations like the Miss New Mexico or Miss America organization,” Hartshorn said.