Sharayah crowned as Miss Alamo

The crowning of Miss Alamo is more than a pageant title. For the community, it’s the opening ceremony to Alamo Indian Days and a tradition that builds leadership, confidence and cultural pride among young women.

This year’s pageant, held last Wednesday at the Alamo Community Center, named Sharayah Secatero as Miss Alamo 2025, with Keola Padilla as first runner-up.

Coordinated by Veronica Smith and the Miss Alamo Committee and sponsored by the Alamo Navajo School Board, the event challenged contestants to showcase their skills, traditional knowledge and voice.

“The pageant is a chance for the young ladies within the community of Alamo to challenge themselves to take on these roles as ambassadors,” Smith said. “They represent our community in a positive way—advocating for students, for our people, and providing leadership for their peers.”

Beyond the crown, Miss Alamo serves as a community leader, attending school board and chapter meetings, local events and advocating for education and wellness.

“They remind kids of the importance of attending school every day, valuing education, and promoting drug- and alcohol-free living,” Smith said.

The competition itself included five categories: fry bread making, speech and introduction, traditional dress, traditional talent, and impromptu questions.

Contestants were scored by a panel of three judges across all categories.

In the fry bread contest, participants provided their own tools and ingredients while demonstrating confidence and skill in preparing the food, according to Smith.

The speech category asked contestants to introduce themselves, their clans and families, and explain why they wanted to serve as Miss Alamo. The traditional dress portion required participants to model their clothing, jewelry, and moccasins, and to explain their cultural and personal significance.

For the talent segment, Secatero presented on Navajo moccasins and weaving, while Padilla demonstrated the grinding of blue corn. Both impressed the judges with their knowledge and presentation Smith said. The final round, impromptu questions, tested their ability to think and speak on the spot.

Last year’s Miss Alamo Maile Pino crowned Secatero as the new Miss Alamo. Pino also gave a speech and was presented with her own crown for her service and representation of the community.

This year’s Miss Alamo Secatero is a junior at Alamo Community School, is active in volleyball and other extracurriculars. She is Towering House Clan, born for Bitter Water Clan. Her paternal grandparents are Apache and her maternal grandparents are Two Who Came to Water Clan. She is the daughter of Greida Vicente and the late Rick John Secatero. Her maternal grandparents are the late Lee and Anna Vicente and her paternal grandparents are John Jay and Gladys Secatero.

Miss Alamo runner-up, Padilla, a freshman at Socorro High School, is also an athlete and maintains close ties to the Alamo community. She is Two Who Came to Water, born for Salt People. Her maternal grandparents are Star of the Red Streaking People and her paternal grandparents are Apache. She is the daughter of Martika and Rob Padilla Sr. Her grandparents are the late Lola Apache, Jimmy Secatero and Caroline and Robert Padilla.

Smith expressed gratitude to the Alamo School Board for sponsoring the event, as well as to local vendors and community members who created the crown, sash belt, and gifts for contestants.

“When everyone hears about Miss Alamo, they know that Alamo Indian Days is approaching,” she said.

The two-day celebration of Alamo Indian Days begins Oct. 10.

See PHOTO GALLERY: Miss Alamo