Ms. Mesquite To Be Contender For Ms. Senior America

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

It has been a long time waiting, but Mesquite resident Ann Murphy is making final preparations to compete in the Ms. Senior America pageant next month.

The road to the national pageant has been a bit unorthodoxed for Murphy. She competed and won the title of Ms. Senior Mesquite in a local pageant held in 2019. But due to the pandemic, there was not a pageant held in 2020, so she has retained the title and duties for 2021. Unfortunately, the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant was also cancelled for 2021.

But Murphy had high goals. She wanted to compete at the national level no matter what. So she petitioned the board of the Ms. Senior Nevada pageant to give her a shot. After meeting their requirements, Murphy was given the board’s permission to represent the state of Nevada in the Ms. Senior America Pageant.

The pageant will be held in a virtual format on August 28. Murphy has already turned in all of the required videos which include a gown walk, interviews, talent, and philosophy.

There is a watch party being planned by the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant Board so that the community can view the national pageant. Details on that will be publicized when they are available.

Murphy said that she wanted to enter the pageant to have an opportunity to encourage and help women all across the country.

“I want to empower women to be the best they can be,” Murphy said. “If I win Ms. Senior America, I will travel the states encouraging other women to pursue any unfulfilled dreams.”

Murphy, 78, was born and raised in Wisconsin growing up on a family farm. She married a military husband and has lived in seven different states.

She first came to Mesquite in 2000, left for a few years and came back agai in 2016. She said that she loves the weather, the vibe of the West and the small town atmosphere of Mesquite.

Murphy has been a fitness instructor and personal trainer for 58 years, wherever life took her. She teaches many classes weekly at the Mesquite Recreation Center including Body Sculpt, Pilates, and yoga.

She also teaches once a week at Mesa Valley Assisted Living facility. She has volunteered teaching yoga at the Veterans Center and is a spokesperson for Alzheimer’s Association.

Murphy volunteers her time speaking about Alzheimer’s at groups who ask her to come. She began doing this service work for Alzheimer’s Association when she learned that they use a yoga chant to help patients. She contacted them about the chant. Her interest was stimulated, and they asked her to help.

Presently Murphy lives in Sun City Mesquite, with her life-partner, Jim Russell. She also teaches classes there at the Pioneer Center three days per week.

After her reign as Ms. Senior Mesquite is over, Murphy will be part of the Pageant board, where she will help share her knowledge and experience and encouragement with other ladies who have attained the Age of Elegance (55) and wish to enter the pageant to represent Mesquite.

Murphy shared her life philosophy which she has prepared for the pageant competition. “Carpe Diem!” she said. “You are as old as you let yourself be. So live while you are still living, by traveling and experiencing life. Rather than making excuses, make a change. Be nice because nice matters. Be mindful, be accountable and be responsible, and no matter what….Smile.”

Pageant contestants raise money for their chosen charity. Murphy raised the most money over her other six contestants in her competition. Her fundraising efforts benefitted the Mesquite Veterans Center and We Care for Animals.

Anyone wishing to have more information about the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant, Inc. may call 435-669-5978 or go to senioramerica.org.