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 - 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.

Sponsor Spotlight - Star Hotel Elko

One of the great things about Elko County is its strong presence of Basque culture. The Basques (Basque: Euskaldunak) are an indigenous ethno-linguistic group mainly inhabiting Basque Country (adjacent areas of Spain and France). The Basque festival held annually during July 4th weekend is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in Elko. The Star Hotel on silver street is a Basque, family style restaurant and lounge, serving excellent European style food in an old world atmosphere. Eating at The Star is an experience everyone must have as much as possible. It's perfect for any group size - the larger, the better! Their specialties include steaks and lamb dishes, which I love; also love their pre-meal soup and salad. The service is fantastic and Scottie and the entire staff are amazing. Check out their website (www.elkostarhotel.com) and get a glance of their yummy menu and plan for lunch and/or dinner at The Star. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu. And remember...COME VERY HUNGRY!

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

Ruby Mountain Hike

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I have been doing well - thanks be to God. A couple months, I went on a beautiful hike on the Talbott Trail at the Ruby Mountains with my friend, right before it got covered with snow in early November. It was a beautiful Sunday and a gorgeous view from up the Rubies to enjoy God's creation.

A little bit of Sporty and Scary Spice

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

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.

From Pit to Pageant - Mining Engineer to Run for Miss Nevada USA

Mining engineer and wildland firefighter Ruby B. Johnson wants to add another title to her résumé: Miss Nevada USA. Representing northeastern Nevada as Miss Elko County, Johnson plans to compete for the designation at the Miss Nevada USA pageant in Las Vegas on Jan. 7. “It’s very unconventional to have a mining engineer in a pageant,” Johnson said. A win in the Nevada contest would mean competing for Miss USA and possibly Miss Universe. The last time a Nevadan won the Miss USA crown was 2014, but no Nevada winner has won the top title in the program’s 66-year history.

“I feel it is time for the Battle Born State,” Johnson said. Nevada winners are rare, as are contestants from outside of the Las Vegas area. Johnson said she hopes to change that while shining a spotlight on the state’s mining industry and women in engineering. “It’s a wonderful mining state,” she said, “and it’s a wonderful place to be a mining engineer.”

Read the full article on Elko Daily Free Press

Ruby B. Johnson: Miss Nevada USA 2018 Contestant and Mining Engineer

Not only is Ruby a mining engineer for the US Forest Service, but she is also gearing up to compete as Miss Elko USA in the Miss Nevada USA pageant in January, with goals of being Miss USA and then Miss Universe! Yeah, I would be exhausted with all of that going on too! Nonetheless, Ruby still made the time to share a little bit about how she came to be Elko’s very own Wonder Woman...Ruby is excited to honor the name of our town because she has a genuine love for our area. “I love living in a state that’s mining friendly...I love being a part of a field that does well for the community. And one of the things I have so much joy about is Elko’s feel for community. Whether it’s my co-workers, my friends or through my local church, my faith is very important to me, the hospitality of Elko is really wonderful...I would like it to be! I see no reason to leave unless God tells me I’m outta here! But for now, I’m loving it.”

Read the full article on Anthony Around Town

Nevada - The Battle Born State

ANNOUNCEMENT - Miss Nevada USA 2018 Finalist

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I have been busy with work and traveling for trainings, and I'm thankful for God's blessings. So I have an announcement for all of you - I have been selected to be a finalist for Miss Nevada USA 2018 pageant. The Silver State has been so instrumental in helpful me grow in my career as a mining engineer as well as becoming a wildland firefighter over the past year and I'm honored to represent the capital of Nevada's gold belt as Miss Elko USA.

Miss Elko USA 2018
Miss Nevada USA Finalist

I'm looking forward to getting to know and work with Nevada's pageant gem, Shanna Moakler and her team and the sponsors, who have produced phenomenal women for Miss USA​ to represent the Battle Born state. After seeing how Nevadans came out in large numbers to show support for the victims and their loved ones after last week's tragic incident in Las Vegas, I'd be honored to represent this great state. I'm excited about this journey and to continue to do my part in advocating for the importance of mentoring the youth, women in STEM fields, empowering girls and women through When You Believe Foundation, Inc.​ and Body Confident, Beautiful Me​, as well as supporting the various initiatives Miss Nevada USA and Miss Universe​ organization champions. To live out my passion for service and excellence on a larger scale. Nevada's representative for Miss USA 2018 will be crowned on January 7th at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa​ in Las Vegas. Stay tuned for ticket details. 

I am preparing for this new crazy yet exciting adventure and I'll like you to join me in my journey on the #RoadtoMissNevadaUSA via social media and this blog. I am a confidently beautiful Sierra Leone-born, USA-raised woman who is taking a chance at living out an American dream and to serve as well as represent a state I have fallen in love with at the Miss USA stage. Please keep me in your prayers, everyone.

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.

My 1-Year ElkoVersary

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I am doing awesome, to God be the glory. A year ago on this day, I got in a plane from Maryland and moved to a small town in northeast Nevada called Elko, after accepting a job position. With God's grace, I have had an amazing year in my career and growing as a mining engineer and God has blessed me with amazing people in this town and beyond - through friendships, work, church, and community. During this year, I started gardening, became a wildland firefighter and resource advisor, ran my first relay, went ice fishing, serving as a leader in my church's kids and teens ministries as well as worship ministry, volunteered and attended Elko's Cowboy Poetry Gathering as well as the Annual Mine Expo, attended the Ruby Mountain Balloon festival, basque festival, and Elko County Fair. I have learned that there's more to Nevada than Las Vegas, and of course hike my namesake mountain range - Ruby Mountains - and so much more! Elko has been so good to me and I am happy to call it home.

My coworker, supervisor, and mentor

Attending Horizon Hospice's 11th Annual "Community Souper Bowl" in April. This annual fundraiser features endless servings of donated soups served, along with artist-created bowls. I believe I had about 15 different types of soups and they were delicious! Horizon Hospice is a non-profit, all-volunteer hospice providing a team of specially trained volunteers on call 24-hours a day. Horizon Hospice can provide pain medications, equipment and supplies, instructions in caregiving to help loved ones care for the patient, respite services, comfort care therapies such as music, art and essential oils, and bereavement support for surviving family members. The organization also operates Horizon Center, offering peer grief support groups for children, teens and adults. Hearing the story of folks that have been blessed with their services as well as the work the people of the Hospice does. It makes me so proud to be part of the community in this little ol' town of Elko which I call home.

Being prayed over by my coverings at the church God has planted me in in Elko. I am blessed to be part of Living Stones. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians‬ ‭4:11-16‬

Sometime in May I got to speak to some Cub Scouts at the Spring Creek Fire Station for their den meeting. Each week, the group has someone present on a certain career and the boys do a project on the career or speciality, part of their Webelos handbook. My co-worker, who's a firefighter, asked me to come and talk about what an engineer does as well as what exactly is a mining engineer. Being that Elko is a mining town, these kids know what mining is and have family members and/or neighbors working in the mines. My goal was to take them into the life of a mining engineer as well as the stages of mining and it's relevance in everyday life. The boys (and their dads/grandpa) had so many great questions and were really engaged throughout the presentation, which made it all the way enjoyable for me! It was pretty cool to have one of the sisters of a Cub Scout join us, little Miss Bella, and she was so into it too like the boys! I'm all about getting them when they're young, so hopefully I may have convinced a 9/10-year-old to become a mining engineer when he grows up as well as show Bella that girls can be engineers too and get to play with explosives!

LS Kids - Purple Room

July 4th at the Spring Creek Parade

Hiking Talbott Trail at the Ruby Mountains

Picking out weeds in my garden

Elko County Fair

Community Group - LS Teens High School Girls

Nevada Mining Association 2017 Convention in South Lake Tahoe

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 

2 Corinthians 1:20-22

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.

Ruby Mountain Relay 2017

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I am doing well, thanks be to God. On August 4-5, I participated in the Ruby Mountain Relay. I had such a good time running with my team - Run, Forest, Run. Best team I could've ever asked for, especially this being my first Relay ever! Being that our team split into 2 vans, leap-frogging each other, and I had to be in a van with 5 other people for 30 hours straight, a lot of bonding was done. Everyone was so encouraging to each other and I had a blast! Not many folks get to take part in a relay that they share a name with and it gets to be my first, and it's even better when you're surrounded by an amazing folks! Team RFR, thanks for the laughs, giving me water during half way points while I ran my 3 legs, and cheering for me when I took on some crazy uphill! My team was jealous that I could fall asleep so easily in the van and on the grasses during our rest times - but someone had to sleep for us. Haha. I had a great time, and I do see more relays in my future.

If there was an award such as "first to fall asleep in weird places" given at the end of the Ruby Mountain Relay, I'd have easily won it for my team that weekend. Running miles in these Nevada uphills with 7000+ feet elevations wore me out that after every van exchange, I was ready to pass out and prepare for my next leg every 10 hours. All this running had me exhausted that sleeping on comfortable and uncomfortable grasses, as well as the van felt like my bed! A lek mi yay.

Running my first leg. Didn't enjoy this one at all due to the ridiculous uphills I battled in Spring Creek, but thank God it was my shortest leg to run with 3.1 miles.

My 2nd leg was my favorite leg and I totally sprinted because I ran it around 12:30am, so it was nice and cold with approximately 60 degrees and I didn't have to deal with the heat I did from my first leg. The only thing I had to be cautious about where the snakes on the Ruby Valley Road but my team only saw one snake during these 2nd set of legs. The only thing I had to be cautious about were the snakes on the Ruby Valley Road but my team only saw one snake during these 2nd set of legs. It was a dark run but fortunately we had a full moon and when needed, I turned on my safety lights and head lamp to watch out for the snakes or road conditions. The area where I did my exchange after my 4.8-mile run had cookies, hot chocolate, brownies, and so many yummy treats. Definitely treated myself to at least 3 cookies since I was done with my leg - my teammates that were up next were a little jealous of us that were done but had theirs after they completed their legs.

Although my 3rd leg was my longest leg with 5.4 miles, it wasn't so bad - well except the ridiculous steep uphill I had to run for a quarter mile to the end of my leg. However, I conquered the heat by using a neck cooler, my teammates feeding me water after every other mile, as well as one of the other teams kindly soaking me with water. The support of teammates and other teams was remarkable - sportsmanship was evident in this relay.

So thankful for my teammates always showing up with the van every other mile with cold water for me to hydrate while I ran my legs. We were always equipped to give each other water and/or mist each other during the runs, especially the 2 hot legs on Friday and Saturday.

When you conquered your first relay, even better when you share a name with it - Ruby Mountain Relay 2017 was intense but so amazing! And let's acknowledge how beautiful the Ruby Mountains in the background are! The heat was intense and the terrains were challenging but having gorgeous views of the Rubies as I ran the past couple days made it so much better!

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:23

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.