Brown wins coveted title

By Shelia Huffman

Joyce Brown of Flower Mound won the 2019 title of “Ms. Texas Senior America” Saturday afternoon at the Doubletree Galleria in Addison, Texas. Joyce has been a church volunteer for more than 25 years and volunteers at the Homeless Shelter, serving meals and offering words of encouragement to those in need. She performed a jazz dance to “I Won’t Dance,” in the talent competition of the pageant.

Women from all around Texas and the Dallas area gathered in the hotel’s ballroom to compete for the coveted title. MC’d by Mary Frances Hansen and Scott Murray, the afternoon began with evening gown competition, followed by talent competition.  All the contestants were lovely in their gowns and the talent was spectacular.

Texas Pageant Director and Production Manager Sarah Senter shared during a recent visit that the women have always been enthusiastic and vivacious, but that the talent has become stronger and stronger each year.

An afternoon of exceptional entertainment included performances by Sherry Dodson, Ms. Texas Senior America 2018, who shared with the audience her singing talent as well as some high spots from her reign and the quote, “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin!”

Las Vegas and cruise lines performer Richard Barry entertained with impressions from his repertoire that included Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and, of course, Willie Nelson. This isthe Ms. Texas Senior Pageant, after all.

All the performances were extraordinary. Contestant Betty Blankenship, singer, song writer and storyteller, accompanied by her guitar, sang her own original song. Contestant Debbie Wright wowed everyone with a riveting routine twirling not just one, but two batons, to the 50s hit, “At the Hop.”

A special performance by Lillie Madison, Ms. Texas Senior America 2012, (the first African American woman to win the title) brought the house to standing ovation with her rendition of “At Last,” as did First Runner-Up-in this year’s pageant, Kimberly Ghedi, performing “Think of Me” from “Phantom of the Opera.”

Kimberly, who won the talent portion of the pageant, is a resident of Plano, active in her church choir, their Praise Team and is pianist for the Children’s Choir.

Teresa Gwynne, Second Runner-Up, is from Arlington where she volunteers with Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets, fostering and finding homes for homeless and abandon dogs. She danced to “Park Avenue Beat” (The Perry Mason Theme.)

Plano’s Debbie Vincent was Third Runner-Up performing a delightful mix of dance styles to “The New Girl in Town” form “Hairspray.” Debbie volunteers at Minnie’s Food Pantry, Plano Independent School District, National Alliance of Mental Health and is a parent advocate for special needs children.

Ms. Congeniality went to Rosalind Holmes Taylor and the Mary Frances Hansen Community Service Award to Nora Creed-McClaskey.

All the women did a fantastic job, making a hard job for the judges: Landon Starnes, Lynda Ender, Susan Bullock Burroughs, Tracey Friend, Marcus Alexander and Marco Rayo.

The Ms. Senior America Pageant is the world’s first and foremost pageant to emphasize and give honor to women 60 years old or older. It is a search for gracious and talented women who exemplify the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. The pageant philosophy is based upon the belief that seniors are the foundation of America, and our most valuable treasure

If you would like to be a contestant in a future pageant, or know someone who would, contact Dr. Syntha West, PH.D at [email protected].

  Featured