Gladys Hughes, who is Ms. Mississippi Senior America 2003 and the state director of the Mississippi Senior America Pageant, calls for contestants to enter the state pageant. The event will be held in Picayune on September 7, and 8, at the Senior Center where Suzanne Shelley, the reigning queen and the National Ms. Senior America will crown the 2007 winner.

Ms. Suzanne Shelley lives in Hattiesburg and has made many appearances throughout the state during her year as reigning queen. She charmed the audience and the judges with her philosophy of life statement and her piano rendition of “Liebestraum. Her activities since becoming the National Queen have given her the opportunity to travel to many state pageants, and she will appear at the Grand Ole Opera Theater in Nashville late in July. She has made many new friends from all over the United States.

Hughes says, “The Pageant is looking for women who are over the age of 60 to participate in the activities. The contestants will be interviewed by judges and will be looking for a woman who has a positive attitude toward aging and has the ability to communicate.”

The Evening Gown and Poise section will give the contestant an opportunity to make an appearance on stage. The judges will look for poise, grace, and confidence. Each contestant will be asked to state her Philosophy of Life. It should include the principles that have guided her throughout her life.

The talent part of the competition will demonstrate that the gifts of talent do not diminish with age and should continue to be shared. Talent might be shown in singing, dancing, painting, sewing, magic, dramatic readings—serious or humorous, playing an instrument, art, photography, etc.

The woman who wins the title of Ms. Mississippi Senior America 2007 will then advance to the national competition that will be held November 5-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Senior Center of South Pearl River County will host the event and they are looking forward to meeting women from all over the state. Hughes stated, “It’s a fun activity in which to be involved.” Anyone interested in an application for participation in the pageant may call (601) 799-1714 or (601) 799-3497. For more information about Senior America, Inc. log on to www.senioramerica.org.