Sponsor Spotlight - Nevada Mining Association

As a mining engineer, I am blessed to have a career in a state like Nevada and living in the capital of Nevada’s gold belt, ELKO! Nevada has a long history as a leading mineral-producing state. Since the gold and silver rush in the 1850s, which inspired Nevada's statehood in 1864, to the present, Nevada has been a hotbed for mineral and metal mining. There’s great importance to the mining industry for the Silver State’s economic and social infrastructure and it continues to produce the necessary minerals on which our society depends. Nevada is one of the special geologic places on the globe where wide arrays of minerals are prevalent, such as gold, silver, copper, barite, molybdenum, clay, silica, lithium, as well as the state’s abundance of geothermal heat which is mined for energy. More than 11,000 people are directly employed by the Nevada mining industry. The Nevada Mining Association has existed for more than 100 years - first established in 1912 as the Nevada Mine Operators Association and changed to the Nevada Mining Association in 1952. NvMA is able to extract the common needs of its many disparate member companies and speaks with one voice for the gold miners in Elko, the geothermal well drillers in the rural valleys, the parts distributors in Las Vegas, the geological engineers in Reno and the 60,000 other Nevadans who rely everyday on this vital industry.

Nevada Mining Association, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - Western Folklife Center

The Western Folklife Center uses story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world. Their exhibitions, educational programs, national radio and television programs, research and preservation projects, and their premier event, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, explore and give voice to traditional and dynamic cultures of the American West. Located in the historic Pioneer Building in downtown Elko, the Folklife Center is both a local and a regional nonprofit cultural center with an exhibition gallery, 300-seat theater, 20-seat black box theater, historic saloon and gift shop.

Founded in 1980, it is governed by a Board of Trustees along with a National Advisory Council made up of leaders in Western cultural life. In addition to its full- and part-time staff, a cadre of members, stakeholders and volunteers help the Folklife Center succeed in its mission. This year, I had an amazing time serving as a volunteer and attending the Cowboy Poetry Gathering events and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year. The 34th Gathering will be January 29-February 3, 2018. This year's Recruitment Cocktail Hour & Social will be on Wednesday, December 6 at 6pm at the Folklife Center.

Western Folklife Center, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - Coffee Mug Elko

The Coffee Mug Family Restaurant has proudly served the city of Elko for 30 years. Currently managed by Jeff Dalling, The Coffee Mug was founded by his grandparents, Charles and Shirley Smith, on January 1st, 1987. Located on 576 Commercial Street, Dalling’s grandparents served Elko for many years and gained the respect, trust and love of the community. After voting in last year’s general elections, the Coffee Mug was where I chose to have breakfast with a friend to celebrate America. It’s a great place to serve one, few folks, or large groups.

As someone who tends to get anemic, eating foods high in iron is important to me and I love liver. My mom does a great job at preparing liver and the only other place I’ve been impressed with their liver meal is at the Coffee Mug. One of my favorite items on the menu is their liver and onions option – it’s so delicious and cooked to perfection. Being that I’m a mining engineer, a while back I decided to try their Miner’s Delight sandwich for fun and I absolutely loved it! Whether you need a good meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or looking to satisfy your sweet tooth with stellar service, the Coffee Mug is definitely the place to go. Check out their menu at Coffee Mug.

Coffee Mug Elko, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - AM Engineering

When I went to Virginia Tech, my intention was to major in civil engineering because I thought it was the most versatile engineering field. Although God redirected my steps to mining engineering, which I grew to love, I'm very thankful for the civil engineering classes I took prior to switching my major. I believe they were a good foundation for me in general as an engineer - it helps broaden my critical thinking and how I approach problem-solving. A.M. Engineering is a Nevada-grown Civil Engineering Firm operating in all rural and urban areas throughout Nevada and the western United States. Headed by Owner/Operator (CEO) Aaron Martinez, P.E. - lifelong Nevadan who graduated from Elko High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada. A.M. Engineering specializes in Design – Build Engineering services, with an extensive line of experience assisting clients through all stages of their project. Their civil engineering services include: Streets & Highways, Residential & Commercial Development, Airports, Feasibility Studies, Hydrological & Hydraulic Analysis, Preliminary Engineering Reports, Erosion Control & Water Quality BMPs, Water Distribution and Treatment System Designs, etc. Located in the Blohm building on 5th street, A.M. Engineering also offers construction services and 3D laser scanning. Visit AM Engineering for a full list of their services.

AM Engineering, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Elko for Miss Nevada USA 2018 - Official Headshot

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I am doing great, thanks be to God. The Miss Nevada USA website has been updated and headshots for the 2018 Miss and Teen contestants have been posted. Thanks to Kelly Belmonte of KBMakeup and Naked Las Vegas for doing amazing makeup on me and Chezaray Photography for perfectly capturing the confidently beautiful that I am for my headshot. Go check out the website and see the beauties vying to represent the Silver State at Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2018 pageants. Remember to purchase your tickets to the preliminary and finals shows on the venue's website. I'll see you on January 7th!

Hard Hats and High Heels:
ELKO for Miss Nevada USA 2018

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 

Esther 4:14b

God bless you.

Jesus loves you.

Restored woman living for God's Glory,

Ruby B. Johnson.

Have you given your heart to God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior? If you die today, will you make it to Heaven? If no or you are unsure, do not waste any more time and receive salvation now.

Sponsor Spotlight - Ruby Mountain Photography

Still looking for gifts this holiday season for loved ones or need something for your home or business? How about some beautiful photography - specifically gorgeous photos from Ruby Mountain Photography? With the motto of "Capturing the Beauty of the High Desert," award-winning landscape photographer Susan Summer Elliott loves capturing the Ruby Mountains, the changing seasons and the captivating moods of ever-changing high-desert weather. Her photography reflect the purity of Nevada's true blue and the heartfelt glory of the West. Photography can be purchased online at Ruby Mountain Photography as well as locally in Elko at the Western Folklife Center, Northeastern Nevada Museum, and Blohm Jewelers.

Ruby Mountain Photography, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - Practical Mining

Elko is known as the capital of Nevada's goldbelt - the city's economy is based heavily on gold mining, with ranching and tourism providing additional jobs. As a mining engineer living and working in Elko, I find it to be a great place to interact and learn from so many professionals working in and for the industry. Located on Idaho Street in the Blohm building, Practical Mining LLC offers engineering services to the mines such as Reserves SEC Section 7 and NI 43-101, mine planning, underground mine design, cost estimates, backfill plant design, etc. Mark Odell P.E. is the sole owner-operator of Practical Mining with 25 years experience in managerial, operational and technical capacities in many types of underground and open pit mining environments. Educated at Colorado School of Mines with a BS in Mining Engineering, Odell is also a Registered Professional Engineer, State of Nevada, No. 13708, as well as a registered member in the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME).

Practical Mining LLC, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.