These Senior Queens could teach a master class on living life to the fullest
The Senior Queen Finalists descended once again on glittering Las Vegas for the 2018 Ms. Senior USA Pageant, where they received a warm welcome from Planet Hollywood and Saxe Productions. Delegates began Pageant Week, as usual, with a goody bag that included the now standard $2000 gift and coupon book for the Miracle Mile Shops, followed by the next morning’s Queens’ Breakfast hosted by Cafe Hollywood, with live interviews filmed by Producer John Trigg of NBC Affiliate KSNV. Later, more than eighty Queens and their guests were treated to a western hoedown “Meet and Greet” at the PBR (Pro Bull Riding) American Bar and Grill. Several Queens in gown, sash, and crown first “crowned” the sequined Bull and then, led by JoAnn Bechtel of Pennsylvania, Barbara Travis of Mississippi, and Paula Lee of Texas, jumped on the intimidating mechanical bull for an adrenaline pumping ride and photo op!
Pageant week continued with the ABC Las Vegas Affiliate KTNV hosting the Founding Queen Ms. Senior Universe Kat Ray on the Morning Blend television show, where host JJ Snyder was presented with a community service award and crowned as the “Pageant Media” Queen. The newly upgraded Liberace Mansion hosted almost 100 Queens and their guests for the Queen’s Gala in the newly redecorated main ballroom with the reigning Queens, Ms. Senior USA 2017-18 Debbi Miller, Ms. Senior Universe 2017-18 Donna McGuffie, Ms. Super Senior USA Sally Beth Vick, Ms. Senior China Universe Sophia Fradelis, and others performing for the attendees. Queen Kat Ray, along with Las Vegas celebrity DJ Michael Susara of High Flyin’ Entertainment, emceed the event with everyone joining “Liberace” in an evening of dancing and entertainment. One of the original Super Senior USA Queens, Cindy Doumani, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, followed by the presentation of the Pageantry magazine Spirit Awards. The Pageantry Spirit Awards were presented to: Ms. Super Senior California USA Jan Fowler, Ms. Senior Florida USA Gailyn Saahir, Ms. Senior Kentucky USA Judy Cook, Ms. Senior Maryland USA Karen Moore, Ms. Senior Massachusetts USA Pamela Kiriaji, Ms. Senior Minnesota USA Lynn Perry, Ms. Senior Nebraska USA Cherie Kidd, Ms. Senior Ohio USA Correan Baker, Ms. Senior Oklahoma USA Vickey Rose, Ms. Senior Tennessee USA Debbie Watts, Ms. Senior Texas USA Paula Lee, Ms. Senior Utah USA Shelley Gish, Ms. Senior Virginia USA Ginger Hannums, Ms. Senior Washington USA Linda Allbright, with an Honorary Spirit Award presented to Michael Susara of High Flyin’ Entertainment. June Lacey, Ms. Super Senior Minnesota and a recent stroke victim, was presented with an Honorary Ms. Super Senior Sweetheart Sash.
The pageant finals were held in Planet Hollywood’s luxurious SAXE Theater. The judges, Amie Jo (host of syndicated TV show Sizzle. Vegas), Hadi Sadjadi (an artist and actor who has appeared in several movies including Into the Night), Ninon de Vere De Rosa (President of KidsTalk Productions and host of Vegas Live with Ninon), Ellen Stokes (founder of the Miss Fabulous Las Vegas Pageant) and Gayle Anderson, who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in creating the International Office of Protocol under what is now the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, would have the difficult task of selecting the next Ms. Senior USA.
Before announcing the new court and finalists, it should be noted that these are “Senior” women who have a commitment to community service and possess an infectious and enviable energy. The Senior Queens include military veterans, cancer survivors, a city mayor, doctors, attorneys, CEO’s, gymnastic and dance instructors, Olympic participants, and amazing women who have raised families and supported their country through good and bad times and who seemingly traverse the country on a weekly basis. In the months leading up to the 2018 Ms. Senior USA Pageant, the state Queens participated in an exhaustive state application process which then produced the national finalists. Over the months, the national state finalists joined their national reigning queens at more than fifteen national and international events.
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