The Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant is back and welcoming South County contestants to try their luck for the crown. The pageant, which will be held on April 26 at the Florissant Performing Arts Center — located at 1 James J. Eagan Drive — crowned its first queen in 1989.

Pageant contestants are all 60 years old or older. They are asked to recite a 35-second personal philosophy of life, be interviewed by a panel of judges, model an age-appropriate evening gown and perform a 2 ¾ minute talent presentation. 

After that, a queen is crowned and two runners-up are selected. After the pageant, all the women who participated are accepted as members of the Missouri Senior Cameo Club, a nonprofit organization that sponsors the pageant and does entertainment shows at senior centers, retirement communities and special occasions.

“In 2009, some friends asked me to be in the Senior Missouri Pageant. What a fun and exciting experience!” Cathy Loyd, a past participant, said. “Staying active in the pageant each year makes me realize how special this pageant is. Participating in the pageant allows me to be a member of the Cameo Club and perform in the variety shows. It is so heart-warming to see the audience smile and tap their feet to the music. We perform in senior facilities in our area. The ladies of the Cameo Club are talented, caring and giving.” 

The nine seniors from South County who have participated in the Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant in the past are Pat Bruder, Cathy Loyd, Mary Chard, Susan Pellegrino, Sharon Houston, Marlene Grant, Fran Ettling, Janet Kraus and Mary K. Spencer. 

“Participating in the Missouri Senior Pageant was a wonderful experience. It was one of the best weekends of my life,” past participant Sharon Houston said. She later added, “We are determined to have a Queen from South County.”

For more information, contact Susan Pellegrino at msmosenior@gmail.com or 314-640-5789.