Mariebella Emilia Eliza Carmen Duran Rodriguez
2023 Princess of the Fiesta de Taos Mariebella Duran
Mariebella Emilia Eliza Carmen Duran Rodriguez was born in Taos in August. 3, 2006, and is the daughter of Thomas Duran and Bella Rodriguez-Duran. She is the granddaughter of the late Carmen Oliveza Rodriguez, Jose Enrique Rodriguez, Carmen Valerio Duran and Jose Tomas Duran.
She has four siblings; Cynthia (Brandon), Richard (Roxanna), Rachel (Benny) and Nicholas (Jannelle); and three nephews, three nieces and one on the way.
Mariebella is a Taos Academy graduate and an honor student. She is active on the student council and is secretary of the National Honor Society.
Mariebella plans to complete her high school diploma and an associate degree in minors from the University of New Mexico in 2024. She would then like to pursue a degree in Speech Language Pathology at New Mexico State University.
She is an active member of San Francisco de Asis Mission Parish, where she has served as an altar boy for the past nine years—and as an instructor for new ministers. She also founded a youth choir in San Francisco and plays guitar there. Mariebella is also very active in the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe and has been participating in the youth group for the past seven years.
Enrique and Patricia Gonzales
Robert and Victoria Gonzales
Lillyanna & Emelina Lujan
Claren and Stephanie Martinez
Claudio and Antonette Martinez
Gary & Samantha Martinez & family
Meregildo & Debra Martinez
Aunt Helen and Uncle Isaac Montoya
Dolores & Gilbert Pacheco
Sonia, Pat, Tony and Frankie Romero
Jessica & Sierra Trujillo
Patrick, Celsa Vigil & Boys
Allyson, Megan, Elizabeth and Jacqualyn
Knights of Columbus Taos Valley Council 7313
Las Pistoleras Cultural Institute of Arts
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Redwolf Plumbing & Excavating LLC
Romero’s Rio Grande Propane San Francisco de Asis Church
STADZ Records Inc. (Jimmy Stadler)
Natalia Augustina Veronica Flores
2023 Princess of the Fiesta de Taos Natalia Flores
Natalia Augustina Veronica Flores was born on November 8, 2003 in Taos. Natalia is the eldest daughter of Mark T. Flores II and Rosa O. Flores. Natalia has one sibling, her younger sister Tatiana Flores.
Her grandparents are Tina Jo Martinez and Juan and Maria Sanchez. Maternal great-grandparents are the late Jose and Ramona Sanchez of Jalisco, Mexico, and Pedro and Elisa Solis. Paternal great-grandparents are Polito E. Martinez and Tina V. Martinez of Talpa, NM along with George M. Flores and Edith A. Flores of Santa Fe.
Natalia grew up in Taos, where she attended St. Francis Church of Ranchos, where she completed her First Communion and Confirmation. Natalia was a 2022 graduate of Taos High School where she excelled in both her studies and her sports as a Taos High Varsity cheerleader. She worked hard alongside her team and became a three-time state champion and runner-up.
To continue Natalia’s education, she attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona from 2022-2023. She looks forward to being closer to her family and friends and will attend the University of New Mexico in the 2023-2024 academic year.
Chuby’s Construction Co.
Adventure Ski Shop – Moises Martinez
Gutierrez Enterprises, Inc.
Elevated garage door – manual vigil
Marlene and Arnold Quintana
Martyr’s Steakhouse – Kimberley Armstrong
KSWV 99.9FM Que Suave/Gonzales Family
The Plumbers—Max Stroback
Ariana Juliette Ruth Masters
2023 Fiesta de Taos Princess Ariana Maestas
Ariana Juliette Ruth Maestas was born on May 12, 2006. She is currently a student at Taos Academy Charter School and will graduate next May. In the last four years she has received scientific awards at regional and state level. This year she made it to the Regional Science Fair in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and won first place in her category – medicine and health.
She competed in the state competition in Socorro, New Mexico, and received second place in her Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, Biomedical and Health category, along with two special awards. Ariana has competed and made it to the Nationals in Washington, DC
After graduation, she plans to join either the Air Force or the Army and is considering becoming a kindergarten teacher. She has been with the Civil Air Patrol for four years. She also participated in a dance group with Lucita Trujillo for eight years and now serves as a mentor to other students in the class.
Ariana is the daughter of Michelle Maestas and the late Moises Maestas. Her siblings are Naticia, Miranda, Jonathan, Shawn, Dominic and Tanya, her great-grandparents are the late Flavio and Antia Abeyta, Bences and Corina Maestas, and Ernest and Carmen Velarde. Ariana comes from a very loving, caring family and is a passionate assistant to the Lord Mayor of the Church of San Francisco de Asis.
Josh Vigil & Tonya Maestas
Michael Wilfred and Olivia Gonzales
Stadz Records – Jimmy Stadler
Diamond Finish Construction
Frances and Ernestine Cordova
Burrito Heaven – Ristras de Taos
Johnny & Christine Valerio
Tomasita Garcia & Flavio Abeyta
Evelyn Abeyta and Francine Cordova
Johnathon Star & Shawn Masters
Dominic J Duran Bau
Margaret and Loriann Trujillo
Tao’s Financial Strategies
Church of San Francisco de Asis
Michael and Suzanne Valerio
Zaira Yarely Ruiz
2023 Princess of the Fiesta de Taos Zaira Ruiz
Zaira Yarely Ruiz was born on April 24, 2007. While her birth was planned by the grace of God and the advice of the doctors in Taos, she was born in Bernalillo due to a high-risk pregnancy.
She is currently a junior at Taos High School. She loves to dance and was a member of the Mystic Dance Team where she competed nationally. She was also involved in a UNM program for high school students called STEM.
Zaira dreams of one day becoming a music producer. She has volunteered at special events at Taos Health Care, also known as the Taos Living Center. At the age of six she was a gymnast. From a young age, she participated in the first mariachi band at Enos Garcia Elementary School. At the age of two, she took part in the children’s parade as a flower, and at the age of eight as a Moiana character.
She enjoys spending time with family and alone, watching shows and creating diamond artwork. Her family is from Mexico, however she moved to the United States 22 years ago making her of Mexican descent and Native American.
She has an older sister, Karen A Ruiz (Cortez), and a brother, Jael S. Ruiz. Her parents are Angel Ruiz and Monica Mandujano (Ruiz). Her paternal grandparents are the late Angel Ruiz Senior and Rosa Maria Gandara (Ruiz). Her maternal grandparents are Monico Mandujano and the late Maria del Carmen Chavez.
Antonio’s Mexican Restaurant
Roberta Montoya & Infinity Martinez
Frances & Ernestina Cordova
Diamond Finish Construction
