Tanya Mirabal Moya: N.M. representative, Belen High School teacher & avid dancer

Tanya Mirabal Moya, of Adelino, is a New Mexico representative for District 7, a Belen High School science teacher and is also the BHS Staters’ sponsor.

She lives in Adelino with her husband Jason Moya. Their children are Tori Peek, Trenten Peek, Jacee Moya and Joshua Moya.

Q What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?

A “Usually going through all of the things that I need to do and hope I don’t forget something.”

Q What’s a myth about your profession you’d like to bust?

A “That we run for office for the money. New Mexico state legislators do not get a paycheck. We get a per diem but only when we are in session or at a committee meeting. Many time that per diem is barely enough to cover the expenses we incur. We are the only state that is still a citizen Legislature.”

Q What were you like in high school?

A “I lettered in softball four years, soccer and drill team manager and in student council. I graduated No. 12 out of 222. I was very sociable and a part of everything I could be.

“Sometimes I could be a little grumpy and not be very nice though. Total tomboy and would hardly wear anything else but Rockies jeans and Justin ropers.”

Q What is the best advice you’ve ever received and from whom?

A “Former state representative and former chief of staff to former Gov. (Susanna) Martinez, Keith Gardner told me when I was running for office to above all protect your marriage and not have two different lives. Include your spouse in everything. This was great because my husband, Jason, is my favorite person in the world. I couldn’t have done what I did if Jason wasn’t right next to me.”

Q What did you want to be when you grew up?

A “Right out of high school, I went to college in Alaska to study aquatic resources so that I would work at a fish hatchery. After that, I had wanted to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, but I ended up getting married and having my first two children instead.”

Q Who inspires you?

A “Jesus Christ, He guides what I do on a daily basis. I wouldn’t be a teacher or a legislator unless I knew that God called me to do it. Also, my dad, Sebastian “Tany” Mirabal, has always inspired me to love people like God does, serve my community and help when ever I see someone in need.”

Q If you could work any other job for one day, what would it be and why?

A “To work in a big cat refuge. It has always been a dream of my since I was a child to pet a tiger, lion or especially a black panther or jaguar. It’s on my bucket list to one day pet one.”

Q What do you do in your free time?

A “As much as possible, go camping. The mountains reset my brain. I live a very busy and chaotic life, so I need the mountains to slow me down. If I can’t do that, then I am chilling with my husband somewhere, laughing at funny videos on Reels.”

Q What’s something about you most people don’t know?

A “I used to work in northern Nevada on a gold exploration drill rig when I was 20 years old. I was in steel-toed boots, hard hat and wild rag (because it was cold in Eureka) every day, but I would still have acrylic nails under my gloves. It was one of the most fun jobs I have ever had.”

Q What three books would you take to a deserted island?

A “Really, I would only take the Bible, but I would want two different translations — the New King James and the Amplified versions. I would also want a Bible Concordance so that I could look up the true meanings of the words in Hebrew and Greek languages. The Bible is the only book that I would want to read over and over again.”

Q You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?

A “Since it would be quite impossible to find the original owner of it, cash it. I would make sure to pay a tithe to my church first, then pay off our debt and the debt of my parents, my husband’s parents. Each of my four children would get some, too. I would also find needs in my community that I could help out with.”

Q Who is your best friend and why?

A “That’s easy, my husband, Jason. He is my favorite person in this world. I truly believe God created him specifically for me. He empowers me and gives me the courage to be the best version of me. He is patient with all my chaos and if you have ever spent time with him, he is fun to be around too. All I really need is God and Jason, everyone else is just a bonus.”

Q What’s your favorite song to sing when you’re alone?

A “Usually, a praise and worship song. Which one depends on what’s going on in my life at the moment. Right now, it’s ‘The Truth’ by Megan Woods. Many people have their own opinions of who I am, but I need to be reminded often of who God says I am.”

Q Where is your happy place, and why?

A “Anywhere with my husband, Jason. My favorite place, though, is with him on the dance floor. I grew up watching my mom and dad dance all night long and it was always my dream to be like them. I am lucky that I get to live my dream.”

Q Have you had a life-changing experience that led you to where you are today?

A “My divorce from my first husband. He left me as a single mom of two kids. At that point, we didn’t have much of anything. I know now God is all I need because at that point in my life God was all I had.

“After three years, God led me to move back home, where I met my husband, Jason, who is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Q What teacher had the greatest impact on you?

A “My fifth-grade teacher Mr. Sullivan at Rio Grande Elementary. During a parent/teacher conference, he told my mom to not harp on me about getting my homework done. I knew it was my responsibility to do it and if I didn’t, I would have to suffer the consequences.

“From that point on, I took it upon myself to achieve my goals, not only in school but in life, no one had to push me anymore.”

Q What is your favorite movie scene and why?

A “At the end of ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves,’ when Robin Hood saves Maid Marianne and she says, ‘You came for me, you're alive.'”

Robin says, ‘I would die for you.’ I am a sappy romantic! This is one of my favorite movies.”

Q If you could have dinner with one famous person — dead or alive — who would it be and why?

A “Kobe Bryant. I have always admired his drive and work ethic. I would love to hear what happened in his life that led him to be so focused on the goal. I wish I could be that way. Sometimes I just don’t have the energy.”

PHOTOS: Asked & Answered: Tanya Mirabal Moya

Q What are you most proud of?

A “My marriage and my children. My husband and I work hard daily to make sure that we put each other first. We are blessed with an amazing marriage that is centered on God. We have raised four strong, smart, caring and adventurous children. They are truly better people than we are. I couldn’t ask for a better life.”

Q How would you like to be remembered?

A “As a person who tried to make a difference in her community, whether it’s by inspiring a student to believe that their only limit is their own dreams and goals.

“Or as someone who not only got elected to serve her community but truly made an effort to be a part of it. I am proud to be from Valencia County. I hope to help make it a better place for future generations.”