SCOTT BROCATO:
Lianna, you first entered pageants when you were 14. Tell us about that first pageant.
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
So my first pageant was kind of a mistake, honestly, because my mom was really wanting me to do it. So she just one day said, “OK, Lianna, let's go dress shopping." And I'm like, oh, at 4? She said, “I signed you up for a pageant.” So I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. So my first competition, I did not prepare, and I made top 15 at the time. But I really enjoyed the experience. I made so many friends, I gained so many life lessons along the way, that I knew that this was one way that I can really make myself known and make a great impact within the society. So I decided to continue my pageant journey. But instead, with the Miss America organization, because I saw how many astounding women came from this organization, I wanted to be a part of that community.
SCOTT BROCATO:
What are the goals that you want to accomplish as Miss New Mexico?
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
So unfortunately, I have only one year with this role, but within that one year I want to accomplish so many things. I am a very ambitious woman, for sure. I have a CSI. All women within this organization have a CSI, or a community service initiative. And my CSI is called Education Across the Nation. So within my year, it is my goal to go to schools within New Mexico and help them appreciate education, and give them a profound love for reading.
SCOTT BROCATO:
What are you studying here at NMSU?
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
I'm studying biology. I'm getting my minor in chemistry and pre-medicine, so my end goal one day is to become a doctor.
SCOTT BROCATO:
Tell us about the two initiatives that you've started and their goals, the How to Start a Healthy Heart initiative and the Miss initiative.
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
So my How to Start a Healthy Heart initiative started when I was Miss Las Cruces, and within that time I was able to go to many schools within Las Cruces to teach students about how to keep their heart healthy, how ensure that they stay away from unhealthy habits that might affect them over a longer period of time within their health, including vaping, alcohol use, and so much more. I was able to teach them basic CPR because I was certified when I was in high school. And it was just a really great experience to share my love of science and anatomy with them as well.
SCOTT BROCATO:
Going back to the pageant, you're also the first Jewish Miss New Mexico. How important is faith in your motivation to compete and what are some other motivating factors?
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
It is a great honor to be the first Jewish Miss New Mexico because I think it brings a lot of diversity into the organization, and it also encourages women of other religious backgrounds to go ahead and continue to pursue their pageant dreams as well, because they too can become successful despite stigma or discrimination that they have been able to overcome within the past.
SCOTT BROCATO:
Did you face such a stigma or did you feel any stigmas when you were competing?
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
I did experience some anti-Semitism within a previous system. But within the Miss America organization, I have felt nothing but love from this community to show who I truly am and embrace my differences as well as the differences of others. But Faith is a huge contributing factor to me, so all my glory and honor goes to God because I would not be able to be Miss New Mexico without His guidance throughout my life, and It is because of Him I'm able to use these resources I have now to uphold his love and spread it across the nation.
SCOTT BROCATO:
Well, your parents are both NMSU graduates, and they own the Freedom Church in Las Cruces. Talk about their influence, your parents' influence.
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
Oh goodness, I can go on forever about this, because they truly are one of my greatest inspirations. So both of my parents actually grew up very poor, and because they were able to use their love for education, they were able to get a good degree here at NMSU, and it propelled them into great careers. And so because of it, they are no longer poor and they're able to provide for their family and me. And because of it, they understand how important education and opportunities, such as the Miss America organization, is, so they really try to push me and my brothers to do the best we absolutely can. And so they are very busy people, but they always put others above themselves. And I just want to continue their legacy.
SCOTT BROCATO:
While you're competing for Miss America, what are some of the things that go into preparing?
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
I think there's a lot of stigma that it's just the prettiest woman who wins.
SCOTT BROCATO:
That's the stereotype.
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
That is the stereotype. I think that's so unfortunate, because I've literally poured hundreds and hundreds of hours into just being at the point, as Miss New Mexico, whether that meant, win or lose, I poured who knows how many hours into it. Which goes into physical health: I made sure I was eating right, had a healthy diet, made sure I was exercising often. I also put in tons of hours into studying: studying for my platform, studying what was happening socially within New Mexico and within America, how I would be able to use my position for the greater good and so much more.
SCOTT BROCATO:
You've mentioned how busy your schedule is. How are you able to find and maintain a balance?
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
It is really hard, but I make sure that I obtain a schedule and that I stick to it, and I also rely on my family and friends, my support system, to ensure that I'm able to keep a healthy mindset and keep a good balance within my life.
SCOTT BROCATO:
Leanna Hartshorn, thank you for joining us today on KRWG Public Media.
LIANNA HARTSHORN:
Thank you so much.
