Socorro County Fair, Rodeo royalty announced for year’s event

Local girls made their families proud in the Socorro County Fair and Rodeo competition last Saturday where they showcased their skills to the judges for the chance to be crowned.

Fair royalty contestants gave demonstrations on their fair projects, while rodeo contestants showed their horsemanship skills with a queen-set pattern, a hot lap and their own pattern, followed by a horsemanship interview with judges.

After a group lunch, all the Rodeo and Fair contestants modeled, gave prepared speeches, answered impromptu questions, and had one-on-one interviews with the judges.

The winners will be crowned at the Socorro Rodeo Complex on Friday at 6 p.m. and participants will also be in Saturday morning’s parade on California Street.

Sonja Gerard said a lot of work and preparation goes into it and she is grateful to everyone who helped and supported the girls. Sonja and her daughter, Jamie Gerard, are coordinators this year.

2024 Socorro County Fair Contestants

Fair Queen - Iliana Perez; Iliana Elizabeth Perez is the 16-year-old daughter of Rene and Josephina Perez. She is a junior at Socorro High School. She has won multiple district championships, runner-up awards for track, and local awards for showing livestock. This year, she is showing two market goats, and in the past, she has also shown market swine. Ilianna is a member of the Socorro FFA chapter, tumbleweed 4-H club, Socorro warrior wrestling team, club Warrior Wrestling team, is a football manager, and participates in the San Miguel Youth group and student council. She plans to graduate in 2026 and attend NMSU to major in criminal justice and minor in forensics.

Fair Princess - Janeah Angel

Janeah is the 12-year-old daughter of Jedi and Jill Angel. She attends Sarracino Middle School, where she plays volleyball for the Lady Braves. Janeah was recently elected as the 7th grade treasurer for student council. She has been named Miss Congeniality in the Socorro County Fair Royalty Pageant for the last three years. She is well known by teachers and staff at her school where she has been named Student of the Month as well as being placed in a classroom as a peer teacher for special needs students. Janeah plans to be an esthetician one day and has also considered becoming a NICU nurse.

Fair Sweetheart - Lexie Fernandez

Lexie is the 9-year-old daughter of Juan and Joni Fernandez. She is in the 4th grade and is home-schooled. This year, Lexie is showing a market steer for the first time. In the past she has shown a booster goat and was the first attendant to the Socorro County Fair Sweetheart last year. Lexie’s future goals are to win Grand Champion Steer at the Socorro County Fair and to win the title of Socorro County Fair Sweetheart. She is a member of the Mavericks 4-H club and dances hip-hop and folklore at the Rising Stars Dance Studio. Lexie would like to become a veterinarian because she loves animals big and small.

Fair Sweetheart - Kodei Ulibarri

Kodei is the 7-year-old daughter of Richard and Jaclyn Ulibarri. She is in the 2nd grade at Midway Elementary. Her current fair projects are fancy poultry, fancy rabbits, clover bud programs, baking and leathercraft. Kodei has earned awards in rodeo for reserve all-around cowgirl and weekend all-point sheep rider. She has won awards for her chickens and rabbits in the fair and was the top cookie seller for Girl Scouts two years in a row. She has a small business where she sells chicken eggs and is an active member of the Tumbleweed 4-H club. She is active in rodeo and competes in barrels, poles, goat tying, flags and sheep riding. She also loves to bake. Kodei participates in events with the New Mexico School for the Deaf and Hands and Voices, and when she grows up, she would like to be a police officer.

Rodeo Contestants

Rodeo Queen - Rebecca Summers

Rebecca is the 17-year-old daughter of Raul Summers. She is a senior at Magdalena High School. She loves to cowboy and is a self-proclaimed “cowpoke” and loves to spend her time doing just that. She has been named top horse judger for the Dexter and Magdalena FFA Chapters and enjoys showing livestock at the local, state, and national levels. She plays volleyball and is a powerlifter. In the future, Rebecca would like to attend a trade school to get her associate’s degree as well as welding and machining certifications to be an aviation and structural mechanic for the U.S. Navy and offshore welding.

Rodeo Princess - Micquelia Padilla

Micquelia Padilla is the 13-year-old daughter of Thomas and Luz Padilla. She is in the 8th grade at Sarracino Middle School. Micquelia loves to ride horses. She works on her horsemanship skills, trains on queen patterns and sometimes rides for fun. In 2023 she was the Socorro County Rodeo Princess 1st attendant. She has won academic awards and spots. She is in the Mavericks 4-H club and has been training and showing pigs for the last 3 years. Micquelia plays volleyball, basketball and runs track. In the future, Micquelia plans on finishing school close to family, attending NMSU, and eventually veterinary school.

Rodeo Sweetheart - Emiliana Lopez

Emiliana Lopez is the 10-year-old daughter of Manuel Lopez and Christy West. She attends Midway Elementary. Emiliana would like to become the Socorro County Rodeo Sweetheart because she was inspired by older girls to participate and would like to be the person who inspires other girls to run for titles as well. She would like to be a role model and teach others about the rules and requirements of the competition. Emiliana thinks this title and others like it give girls a great opportunity to build confidence and shine. Emmy likes crafting, making bracelets, and gardening. She plays volleyball and basketball, dances, and, of course, loves to rodeo.