Search begins for Ms. Massachusetts Senior AmericaDate: 4/11/2019 What does a well-made cookie have in common with a contestant in the Ms. Massachusetts Senior America pageant? They’re both sweet, but not so much that it overwhelms each one’s distinctive flavor. They’re both put together firmly, so as not to “crumble” under pressure. And in both, the beauty is in the “bits” – so that “no matter the color on the outside, no matter any chips, dents, cracks or odd shapes,” both are “perfectly enjoyable and welcomed.”
That was the message attached to the Massachusetts-shaped cookies – each with a gold crown on Western Mass – that awaited any would-be contestants who attended an orientation for this year’s Ms. Massachusetts Senior America pageant at the Holyoke Senior Center on April 3.
Five hopefuls came to this first meeting – three more orientations will take place on April 10, 17 and 24 at 1 p.m. at the same location. Four of these would-be contestants were local women. One had traveled across the state. All were there to learn what being in the pageant was all about.
And learn they did, about the glitz and glitter of walking across the pageant stage, the group’s annual Margaretville night at the national pageant in Atlantic City, the categories they would be judged in at the local event, and all the support each of them would receive along the way as a contestant for the Ms. Massachusetts Senior America crown.
Pat Booth, a petite brunette who wore the Ms. Massachusetts crown in 2004, assured the would-be contestants that there was no need to be apprehensive about taking the plunge and joining the pageant.
“The greatest advantage [of this] is the camaraderie,” Booth shared. “At the rehearsals what we do is exchange [ideas] and help each other.”
Lorraine Gorham, who has been State Pageant director for the past 10 years, compared Ms. Massachusetts Senior America, which is open to women 60 years of age and older, to the Miss America pageant, “except we don’t do bathing suit, we do philosophy of life.”
This pageant’s focus is on “The Age of Elegance,” giving women a chance to “share [their] experience, knowledge and enthusiasm of life” and “be part of a national movement to dispel the myths of aging,” according to the Ms. Massachusetts Senior America brochure.
“It’s a transformative experience,” Marcia Morrison, the reigning 2018 Ms. Massachusetts Senior America shared with the gathering, which included past queens and contestants in addition to the new hopefuls. “I love these people. I love the Cameo Club and the service work we do, and going out and singing and dancing and showing people what over 60 looks like.”
The Cameo Club – comprised of every past contestant and queen from the Massachusetts pageant – is an ambassador group that entertains at VA hospitals, senior centers and retirement communities across the state, as well as at the Big E every fall.
Joanne Impoco, who serves as contestant coordinator for the Massachusetts pageant, explained to the hopefuls that as a contestant, they would each be judged in four different categories.
“You’re scored 30 percent on [personal] interview, 30 percent on talent, 20 percent on evening gown and 20 percent on philosophy of life,” Impoco, who also produces and directs the pageant, said. She added every contestant would receive plenty of coaching, rehearsal and assistance before the big day.
When one of the would-be contestants in the audience expressed a concern because she was still ‘discovering her talent,” Impoco assured her – and the others – that the group was adept at helping contestants find a place to shine, be it singing, dancing, comedy, reciting poetry or even a monologue.
“We [can] take nothing and make it into something,” she joked, adding, “We don’t force you to do anything, we just improve on what you can do.”
Advice on finding the right dress for the contest – “We don’t’ want any Mother-of-the-Bride or simple prom dresses – glitz it up, they judge you on the glitter!” Impoco said – and what to include on their biography form was also part of the presentation. Gorham also shared with the group that as contestants, each would also have the opportunity to accompany the newly crowned queen to the national pageant in Atlantic City in October.
“We go on a bus on a Sunday and come back on a Thursday night, and everyone comes back with a smile on their face,” Gorham said. “There always has to be a Margaretville night, shopping on the boardwalk and everyone knows where to find me, in the casino playing ‘Let It Ride.’”
When the presentation ended and the group moved to looking over albums from past pageants and refreshments, Dorrie Blakney of South Hadley shared with Reminder Publishing that she was there to make a second try at being a pageant contestant, after having to drop out for family reasons in 2018.
“I think it will be a fun activity and a worthwhile activity and a chance for friends, and fellowship,” Blakney said.
Annette Davis Harris, who was returning as a contestant for a second time – allowed to each past contestant on a one-time basis according to Impoco – was candid about what the first experience meant to her.
“I enjoyed the people and the camaraderie,” said Davis Harris, who at 62 is also blind. “It pulled me into a different area and I’m going to try again and maybe, be queen this time.”
The 2019 Ms. Massachusetts Senior America Pageant will take place July 14 at Holyoke High School. According to Impoco, would-be contestants have until April 24 to attend an orientation and join the pageant. To obtain an application or for more information about this year’s pageant, call Impoco at 525-7065, Gorham at 534-1318 or email ecwalsh@gmail.com.
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