Many little girls grow up watching the Miss America and Miss USA pageants thinking “maybe one day that could be me.” There’s something about the excitement that surrounds a pageant and, this year, the Ms. Senior Forsyth County pageant was held on August 3rd with six contestants and an audience packed with supporters, bringing a national pageant to our area, showing a “girl” is never too old for a pageant!
Celebrating the “Age of Elegance”
In 1972, the first “Ms. Senior Citizen” pageant was held for senior women. By 1981, the pageant went nationwide, and the name was changed to Ms. Senior America by the founder of the event, Dr. Al Mott. This is the world’s first and foremost pageant to emphasize and give honor to women who have reached the “Age of Elegance.”
The pageant is a search for the gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans.
Linda Anthony, Ms. North Carolina 2013, and a co-director of the Forsyth County pageant said, “The philosophy of the pageant is based upon the belief that seniors are the foundation of America and our most valuable treasure. It is because of their knowledge, experience and resources that the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society. Today, we have about 25 states that hold pageants and, in North Carolina, we now have seven counties with pageants including Alamance, Davidson, Davie, Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham. This year’s pageant is completely new for Forsyth County. We have three co-directors for Ms. Senior Forsyth County Pageant – Sarah Daffron, Ms. North Carolina Senior America 2010, Jennifer Tuttle Gentle, Ms. North Carolina Senior America 2023 and me.”
Contestants were judged in four categories – Interview, Evening Gown, “I Believe” Statement and Talent and ranged in age from 65 to 89. The pageant had six contestants – Ronee Walker, Ruby Cain, Joanne Goetz and Karen Patterson, all from Winston-Salem, NC and Barbara Geer and Sandra Smothers from Kernersville, NC.
A Time of Celebration
The six contestants and 150 guests gathered at Mt. Carmel Church in Winston-Salem, NC for the pageant.
“Mayor Allen Joines greeted our audience, and Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough addressed the guests. We were thrilled with the turnout for this pageant and the contestants we had. Our winner was Sandra Smothers, and our first runner up was Karen Patterson. Sandra is ready to promote Senior America throughout Forsyth County and our state. She will also be entering the Ms. North Carolina Senior America Pageant in Pinehurst, NC on May 10, 2025. Sandra will make public appearances at county events and showcases. She will participate at events of sponsoring agencies upon their request and continue to share the importance that seniors have in our community,” commented Linda.
With the 2024 pageant in the books, the Ms. Senior Forsyth County pageant is now planning for 2025. For more pictures of the pageant, visit the Ms. Senior Forsyth County pageant Facebook page.
