By Ava Holly
It was an amazing afternoon at the Ms. Senior America Finals Oct. 19. Although the finals were held in Pennsylvania in 2022, this year they were back at the Tropicana in Atlantic City.
Forty-nine state winners graced the stage with evening gown competition, talent and philosophy of life categories in the pageant which celebrates a woman’s “Age of Elegance.”
The entertainment was fantastic. Not only did we get to see the talent of the 12 finalists, we enjoyed performers throughout the event including performances by the Cameo Club, the MC Steppers and more.
All of the entertainment was very well received. Among the crowd favorites were singers Max Valentino and Bobby Fischetti who wowed the audience with classic and unforgettable tunes.
At the start of the show, the top 12 finalists were announced:
Ms. West Virginia, Margo Jacobs; Ms. New Mexico, Patty Wells; Ms. New York, Mae Caime; Ms. New Jersey, Ferlie Almonte; Ms. Tennessee, Cheri Doane; Ms. Iowa, Cathy Roe; Ms. Georgia, Rebecca Berry; Ms. Arizona, Christina Robinette; Ms. Texas, Dr. Terre Quinn; Ms. California, Elizabeth Lomax Goldstein; Ms. Montana, Susan Shewbridge; and Ms. South Carolina, Dr. Catherine Pickren.
The talent and the evening gowns were spectacular and there was a nice turnout in AC for the event.
It was not just a one-day final. The contestants competed all week long with preliminary rounds, interviews and special events including a masquerade ball.
Hats off to founder Dr. Al Mott, President and CEO Denise Russo-Calazzo and Floyd Calazzo for bringing this much-needed event to fruition, and National Pageant Director and Ms. Virginia 2012 Kat Fanelli.
It takes creative directors, contestant coordinators and the team behind the scenes to pull everything off. The show would not be complete without them.
Let’s say hello to this year’s national judges: David Manning, Steve Newport, Elisabeth Howard, Maria DeAngelis, Pete Trabucco, Doris Hartell and Deborah Keith. The finalist event hosts were Barbara Mauldin and Carolyn Corlew.
This all takes a lot of work. Some of the events saw only one practice as people practiced virtually from afar. It really takes a village.
We must mention the New Jersey leaders: state administrator and
Co-Pageant Director Johanne Santori and Executive Pageant Director Terry Brightman Meade. Well done ladies.
In the audience were Sara Aarons, the oldest living Senior America winner at 104 years old. Born in 1919 in Flushing, N.Y., she was crowned Ms. New York Senior America in 1996 and became the National Queen in 1999.
Several others celebrating birthdays of 100 years old were recognized at individual events during the week. Other awards were awarded on stage including the new Community Service Award. This involves submitting an essay about what you love to do to help the community. The three winners were Ms. Oklahoma Karen Kim; Ms. South Carolina Dr. Catherine Pickren, and Ms. New York Mae Caime, who took home $1,200 each for charity.
The new Ambassador Award, given to the contestant who sells the most ads for the program book, went to Ms. Nevada, Caroline Sims.
The highest scoring non-finalist in talent was crowned, Ms. Jennifer Gentle. The coveted title of Ms. Congeniality went to Ms. Delaware, Dr. Debra Canale.
And now, as we say a beautiful farewell to Ms. Senior America 2022-2023 Debbie Robbins, let’s welcome in the new court:
Fifth Runner-up, Ms. Arizona, Christina Robinette.
Fourth Runner-up, Ms. New Jersey, (woo hoo) our own Ferlinda “Ferlie” Almonte.
Third Runner-up, Ms. New York, Mae Caime.
Second Runner-up, Ms. Montana, Susan Shewbridge.
First Runner-up, Ms. California, Elizabeth Lomax Goldstein.
And the winner, Ms. Senior America 2023-2024 is Ms. Texas, Dr. Terre Denise Quinn.
Congratulations all on a job well done. This is an exciting time for the “Age of Elegance.”
See you all next year!
