
(Deming) - Ryan Gonzales, performing as Quack Gordon was the winner in the Great American Duck Royalty Pageant Thursday night sponsored by Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home.
Gonzales, from Deming, bettered five other competitors in winning the competition and took home $750 from the duck race, and another $100 from First New Mexico Bank, as well as a trip to the Inn of the Mountain Gods near Ruidoso.
Runner-up was Julisa Aldaco, also of Deming, as Thunder Strut Quack. For her effort, she took home $500.
In the Just Hatched Category, for ages 0-1, there were eight contestants. The winner was Isabella Chacon, Danica Patrick Duck. Runner-up was Ana Marie and Emma Ruiz as The Lucky Duckies.
In the Little Waddlers category, for ages 2-4, top honors went to Anastasia Harper as Little Miss Quick Quack, and runner-up in the field of five, was Niko Rodriguez as Mohawk Duckling.
In the Downey Duckling competition, for ages 5-8, there were three competitors. The winner was Jace and Jayden Moreno, as the Racing Rascals. Runner-up was Victoria Lynn Turner, as Sandy the Starter Duck.
There was only one entry in the Darling Duckling competition for ages 9-12. The winner by default was Josiah Mauldin as Cadillac Quack.
A near capacity crowd filled the Deming Public Schools Auditorium for the contest, with a new Master of Ceremonies, Noel Nunez, a local Deming teacher.
The pageant was organized by Amanda Mauldin.
All contest winners were from Deming.