About Ariel
Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I am incredibly proud to represent the community that has always been home to me as Miss Albuquerque Teen 2026. From the Bosque and the Sandia Mountains to Balloon Fiesta, Día de los Muertos celebrations, Old Town, the Santa Fe Opera, and performances at Popejoy, I see New Mexico as a vibrant place filled with culture, beauty, and connection.
I am currently a homeschooled senior enrolled in the Acellus Academy, where I maintain a 4.0 GPA on an honors pathway. Being homeschooled has allowed me to casually attend psychology and neuroscience classes with my mother at the University of New Mexico as she completed her own research. I was even allowed to help out in her lab in small ways which fueled my own desire to pursue biomedical knowledge. After graduation, I hope to attend the University of New Mexico and become involved in neuroscience research, building on my interest in psychology, human behavior, and the connection between the mind and body.
Outside of school and pageantry, I am happiest around the people, animals, and activities I love most. I am passionate about horses, painting, reading, nature, dancing, spending time with my family, and, of course, my four cats. I also love the city that has raised me, whether that means running around the Sandias, shopping, getting ice cream, dancing in Old Town, or attending local arts and community events.
As Miss Albuquerque Teen 2026, I want to use my title to become even more involved in the community that shaped me. My advocacy initiative, The Woman Behind the Symptoms, focuses on helping women and girls feel informed, heard, and supported in conversations about reproductive and mental health. While my online presence and podcast allow me to cast a broader net in those that I could help, I am always seeking to bring my advocacy to the community that I love in tangible ways.
My pageant journey has also challenged me to grow in ways I did not expect. After earning Best Resume, being named a semifinalist for Miss New Mexico, and winning a qualifier to compete for an All-American title, I am now preparing for National American Miss Nationals in Orlando in November 2026. I will also be presenting my senior STEM project as part of the iAM Camille Schrier STEM Award competition.
At the heart of everything I do, I am a curious, creative, community-minded person who values learning, family, meaningful connection, and making the most of the place I am lucky enough to call home.