The Town of Mountainair is set to celebrate some of its most distinguished citizens and a beloved local tradition at the upcoming Mountainair Hall of Excellence event next month.
Mayor Peter Nieto announced the 2025 Hall of Excellence inductees last week and the revival of the Pinto Bean Queen competition.
This year’s Hall of Excellence inductees include Eugene “Gene” Schmitz, William “Tommy” Eschberger, James “Jimmy” Sullenger, Ernest Rubi, Patrick “Pat” Lucero, Ramona “Monie” Torres Dew, and Erineo “Eddie” & Amalia “Mollie” Padilla. Larry Gustin was announced as the first Class of 2025 inductee in January. The Hall of Excellence inductees will be feted at a March 29 ceremony.
“These individuals have each made extraordinary contributions to our community, and this ceremony will celebrate their hard work, dedication, and lasting impact on Mountainair,” Mayor Peter Nieto said. “We are deeply grateful for their devotion and the many ways they have shaped the story of our town.”
Nieto also announced Lionel and Edith Miranda as inductees in the hall. Edith Miranda died on Feb. 5 and will be inducted with her late husband, Lionel, with their daughter, Roberta, accepting the award at the ceremony.
“Edith was a cherished member of our community during her time here, having worked at the local bank in the early 1980s and been an active participant in St. Alice Catholic Church,” Nieto said. “Though she had since moved away, her connection to Mountainair remained strong.”
The Pinto Bean Queen competition will also be held alongside the Hall of Excellence celebration.
The tradition of crowning the Pinto Bean Queen dates back to 1941 when Dorothy Anne Shockey was the very first to hold the title. According to the Town of Mountainair, several queens were crowned throughout the 1940s, and the competition was revived in 2023. That year, the honor went to Aaliyah Lopez, who was then a junior at Mountainair High School. This year, on the 84th anniversary of that inaugural competition, a new Pinto Bean Queen will be crowned.
This year, the age requirement has been changed to allow individuals of all ages to participate. Contestants must reside within the Mountainair Public School District and be available for the 10 p.m. crowning ceremony on March 29. Voting will take place in person at the Dr. Saul Community Center during the Hall of Excellence event, concluding at 7 p.m. The crowning will occur during a dance featuring Nathaniel Krantz.
Interested Pinto Bean Queen contestants can sign up at this link: https://form.jotform.com/250425143096048
This special event promises to be a memorable occasion, filled with recognition, gratitude, and celebration,” Nieto said. “We invite all of you to join us in honoring these outstanding individuals for their achievements and to reflect on the collective spirit that makes Mountainair such a unique and vibrant place.”