ARIA Keilbach was crowned Miss Earth Northern Marianas at the pageant held Saturday at Marianas Beach Resort.
The co-founder of Boonie Babies will represent the CNMI in the international Miss Earth competition, which will take place in Manila this December.
In her official message on the Miss Earth Facebook page, Keilbach, 23, said she hopes to inspire action on environmental issues affecting both local residents and boonie dogs.
Her advocacy work, she stated, aims to “protect our island’s natural beauty, support our community, and ease the suffering of the boonie dogs who also call Saipan home.”
In an interview with the media, Keilbach said walking in a pageant was “completely outside [her] comfort zone,” but seeing the other contestants “absolutely killing it” on stage helped her enjoy herself and remain confident.
“I had no idea that there was so much that went into it,” she said. “I went into this thinking it would be a quick five minutes on stage — maybe turn around once and walk right back off — but it is definitely much more than that, and I’ve had so many hands helping me.”
Keilbach also took home two additional titles: Best in Swimsuit and Miss Earth Environmental Leader. The latter is awarded to the contestant who demonstrates strong action in protecting or enhancing the environment and raising awareness of environmental issues.
In the native costume portion of the pageant, Keilbach’s outfit embodied the spirit of the “boonies.” She wore a lush, jungle-themed costume and brought a boonie dog puppy on stage as part of the presentation.
During the question-and-answer segment, Keilbach was asked to address the “variety of environmental challenges primarily related to climate change, coastal hazards, and waste management” in the CNMI. Specifically, she was asked how she would locally address climate change and advocate for sustainable practices.
She responded: “I think in the CNMI, we have a very unique vantage point in which we are seeing these environmental crises first. We see the mounds of trash that wash up on our beaches from distant shores, we see the coastal erosion that has claimed yards of our beaches in just a few short years, and I think it’s incredible that these visual reminders are hitting so strongly right in front of us. … These environmental issues are happening right here, right now.”
She added that in her personal life, she focuses on making small changes, such as minimizing single-use plastics and encouraging others to do the same.
“Most importantly, I fundraise for spay and neuter here in Saipan, which is an important issue because boonie dog waste is being detected in our oceans and harming coral reefs,” she said.
Keilbach said she hopes the crown will help bring greater awareness to the environmental challenges facing Saipan.
“Of course, the Boonie Babies and the boonie dogs are my passion, but really, the people themselves and the islands need more eyes on the issues here — regardless of the dogs or not,” she said. “I definitely have lots of ideas spinning [for community programs]. Of course, some of them center around the dogs, some are beach cleanups, but mostly I’d like to see community round-ups to really focus on our island and the nature that needs to be preserved here. I think people really want to help — they just need an event to bring them together.”
She expressed gratitude to Miss Earth Northern Marianas president Dee Clayton, vice president Rose Ajoste, “Mama Ernie,” her best friends Shay and Emily for their hair and makeup help, and Lauren Cabrera — Miss Vermont USA 2011 and co-founder of the Saipan Humane Society — for her support. She likewise thanked Bianca Fink for the “incredible” floral art that helped her native costume come to life.
Runners-up and teen winners
The first runner-up, and recipient of the Miss NMI Air title, is Jazel Star Rebuenog. The second runner-up, Miss NMI Water, is Angel Calage.
Saturday’s pageant also marked the first time the Miss Earth NMI organization held the Miss Earth Teen Angel Pageant concurrently with the main competition.
The first-ever Miss Earth Teen Angel is Princess Geradino.
Her court includes:
1st runner-up: Darlincia Masga
2nd runner-up: Jessara Rogopes
3rd runner-up: Ny’Elle Brown
4th runner-up: Julany Indalecio
5th runner-up: Precious Castro
Geradino also won multiple special awards, including:
Best in Evening Gown
Miss Photogenic
Miss Exquisite Star (for enthusiastic participation in Miss Earth events)
People’s Choice
Best in Native Costume
Other special awards went to:
Angel Calage, Miss Friendship.
Jessara Rogopes, No Makeup Challenge for “natural beauty even without makeup.”
Julany Indalecio, Best in Fitness.
For her part, Geradino said she felt “really amazing” about her win.
“Being the first Miss Teen Earth really feels good, and I’m so excited to start my journey,” she said. “The first thing I’m really excited to do as Miss Teen Earth is work with the community, get out there, listen to their concerns, and just speak up for the voices that aren’t being heard.”
Aria Keilbach is crowned Miss Earth Northern Marianas 2025
The new Miss Earth Northern Marianas, Aria Keilbach, takes center stage at the conclusion of the pageant.
Aside from the overall title, Aria Keilbach, 2nd right front row, also won the bikini category of the competition.
Aria Keilbach is ready for the question-and-answer portion.
The Miss Earth NMI Pageant took place on Saturday, July 19 at Marianas Beach Resort.
The Native Costume portion of the competition showcased the contestants’ modeling talents.
Contestants on stage for the Native Costume portion of the competition.
The Native Costume portion highlighted design creativity, craftsmanship, and detail, as well as the contestants’ stage presence.
The outgoing Miss Earth Northern Marianas, Heavenly Pangelinan.
The first Miss Earth Teen Angel queen is Princess Geradino.
