The Glendale Star
16
August 12, 2021
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Ms. Senior Arizona gears up to crown 2022 queen BY JORDAN HOUSTON Glendale Star Staff Writer
PUZZLE ANSWERS
After a year of uncertainty, Arizona’s most elegant senior women are refusing to let the pandemic’s aftermath slow them down. The Cameo Foundation’s 32nd Ms. Senior Arizona pageant is gearing up to crown its next queen on Aug. 21. Following a forced hiatus last year, the foundation will crown its 2022 Ms. Senior Arizona, according to Ms. Senior Arizona Pageant Executive Director and former 2004 queen Herme Sherry. The nonprofit organization will not crown a 2020 or 2021 title holder due to COVID-19-related obstacles, Sherry explained. “We are crowning 2022 this year,” she said. “The reason we are doing that this year is because they are doing a virtual national (pageant) this year, and some states chose to do it, but we couldn’t get in. “So, we are going to go ahead and crown 2022 for next year.” This year’s pageant, open only to women 60 and older, was originally slated to take place in January, Sherry said. However, the foundation was required to reschedule due to the nature of the virtual 2021 pageant structure. Tucson resident Ava Genung, who was crowned in 2019, is the reigning Ms.
Senior Arizona. Selected from a group of 20 contestants, the 2022 Arizona queen will go on to compete in the national competition next year, Sherry said. Ms. Senior America pageant is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to enriching not only “the lives of seniors” but also to encourage them to “tap their energy to enrich the lives of others.” The Valley Vista Performing Arts Center, located at 15550 N. Parkview Place in Surprise, will host the August competition at 6 p.m. General tickets are $15, while VIP seats are $25. Proceeds from the event will also go toward supporting domestic violence survivors via the Cameo Foundation, Sherry said. Ms. Senior Arizona honors the “Age of Elegance,” Sherry said, by embodying the motivation and inspiration of senior women, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. More than just a “beauty contest,” the pageant seeks to reenforce the importance of self-worth, inner beauty and charm. It strives to offer older women a platform to showcase their achievements, talents and values, Sherry explained. “Our pageant searches for a gracious lady who will represent the seniors of Arizona,” Sherry said. “We like to say,
‘A beautiful young 2019 Ms. Senior woman is a gift from Arizona winner Ava Genung. God, and beautiful old (Photo by people are a work of Pablo Robles) art.’” Contestants are judged on four categories: their philosophies of life, judges’ interviews, evening gown presentations and talent. The Cameo Foundation spends five weeks of rehearsal with the contestants prior to the big day, Sherry said. “We work on them with their philosophies of life and make sure their timing is right,” she said. “Then there is the talent, which can be anything — we’re open to professionals but also to everyone.” “Some people come in and say, ‘I out of this and how it changes the lives have no talent,’” she continued. “And of many,” Sherry said. “Some of these then I tell them, ‘You do have a talent, women are doing things they never we just don’t know what it is yet — but thought they’d be doing over 60.” we will find it.’” Following her 2019 win, Genung has To be eligible, contestants must live flourished in her extended role as Ms. in Arizona for at least three months pri- Senior Arizona to continue to support or to the state contest, according to the the foundation, Sherry shared. Ms. Senior Arizona website. There is “Ava has been a great queen,” the also a $125 application fee. 2004 pageant winner said. “She was All competing contestants are giv- in it three times and won on her third en the opportunity to participate in time. She’s been great and has perthe Cameo Foundation, a national formed in many places.” organization comprised of previous Contestants are allowed to compete contenders. Dedicated to supporting for the title three times — but no more the pageant, club members perform than two consecutive years. throughout the state to raise funds to Genung snagged the top talent award send their queen to nationals each year. for her jazz dance to a Motown medley, The local nonprofit works to provide most photogenic and best philosophy resources to arm its members with the of life. “needed expertise and self-confidence For more information about the to maximize their potential,” its web- Ms. Senior Arizona pageant and ticksite continues. eting, call 602-788-9556 or visit “We get a lot of heartwarming things msseniorarizona.com.
