By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The Ms. Senior America pageant was held on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 22. And the Mesquite community came out in support of one of its own.
More than 40 local residents showed up at the Mesquite Community Theatre to support the reigning Ms. Senior Mesquite, Ann Murphy. Murphy also holds the title for Ms. Senior Nevada and was competing at the pageant for Ms. Senior America.
Due to the pandemic the Ms. Senior America Pageant, a nation-wide contest, had to be held virtually this year. So Murphy’s supporters were having a watching party to view the Virtual Pageant together on the big screen at the theatre.
The Ms. Senior America program is the world’s first and foremost pageant which emphasizes and highlights 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. The pageant has been held for 42 years now.
But this year’s virtual pageant had contestants from each state creating their own video presentation where they performed their “Gown Walk,” gave their Philosophy of Life statement, and displayed their talent performance.
Virtual Hosts David Manning and Denise Bears told everyone that the six judges made their decision from the content of the video presentation, not from the quality of the video.
Before the pageant watching party began, Murphy herself made a statement from the stage. She thanked everyone for coming to support her.
“We do not know exactly how this Zoom will work,” she said. “But if for any reason you need to leave, don’t worry I will not take it personally.”
Excitement was in the air in the lobby of the theatre as the pageant began. There were some rough spots with the virtual projection. The whole pageant lasted a full three hours. The audience did get to watch each contestant’s video presentation.
In her presentation, Murphy appeared queenly and beautiful in her pink gown, holding the flowers given to her by her partner Jim Russell.
In the end, Murphy was not the one selected for the crown. The honor of Ms. Senior America 2021 went to Laura Morgan of North Carolina. The local audience agreed that, if Murphy did not win, then Ms. North Carolina would have been their choice.
Even so, the consensus among the members of the local audience was that Murphy will always be Mesquite’s Queen.
In closing, Murphy reminded everyone of a pageant motto: “It’s not the crown on your head, but what is in your heart that matters.”
