In its tenth year, the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant committee decided to celebrate its history and all of the women who have participated in a dream started by Jean Watkins in 2005.

Cindi Delaney, left, stands with Ms. Senior Mesquite Founder, Jean Watkins after the gala on Saturday with a board of all of the participants in the pageant’s 10-year history. Photo by Jim Lavender.

Cindi Delaney, left, stands with Ms. Senior Mesquite Founder, Jean Watkins after the gala on Saturday with a board of all of the participants in the pageant’s 10-year history. Photo by Jim Lavender.

Nearly 100 people came together last Saturday to celebrate at Envy Nightclub as a majority of former contestants were also in attendance. With the lack of contestants for the 2015 Pageant, the event was refocused on honoring Watkins which included a slideshow, fashion show and a short roasting by emcee, Cindi Delaney.

Special guests from Las Vegas, Charlie Christy, the Executive Director and President of the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant and Dotty Reid, the Secretary & Pageant Coordinator as well as their first Queen, Dorothy Guralnik, who won in 1986 and is their current Treasurer, were also in attendance to show their support and appreciation to Watkins.

Entertainment throughout the event was provided by Toby Burnside, co-owner of Envy Nightclub and Kat Ray, the 2013 Ms. Senior Nevada Queen.

Delaney took a few moments to ‘roast’ Watkins and her fun side, noting a trip that she had taken to Cancun.

“Jean is the only person on the planet that would go to Cancun and wear a muumuu and wear a big hat,” she said, sending the crowd into laughter.

“Morris Workman used to call her our little ray of sunshine, because she always has this beautiful disposition about her,” said Delaney. “She’s always trying to make things better.”

“She was determined that this pageant was going to be a success,” Delaney continued.

MSM Founder Jean Watkins sits on stage as Cindi Delaney, behind her, enlightens the community about the person Jean is, sharing a few of the many stories she has of her. Photo by Jim Lavender.

MSM Founder Jean Watkins sits on stage as Cindi Delaney, behind her, enlightens the community about the person Jean is, sharing a few of the many stories she has of her. Photo by Jim Lavender.

In a final comment on stage, Delaney spoke to Watkins and said, “Jean you have touched so many lives, and if you look around this room, none of these people would not be here enjoying this had it not been for your bravery and going to Las Vegas to become our very first Ms. Senior Mesquite.”

Delaney and Geni Barton, President of the MSMP, presented Watkins with a special jacket that had been embroidered with the words “Jean Watkins, Founder of Ms. Senior Mesquite.”

And with that, Watkins received a standing ovation of appreciation from the attendees before she was able to make her speech of the day. She cited that she could not have created the pageant’s quality if she didn’t have the support and help from the committee that has worked to bring the pageant to life each year.

“The pageant highlights all of the wonderful things that you have done in your life that make you who you are, the beautiful person you are today. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have a lot of little wrinkles; you make mistakes but they are part of what makes us a success,” said Watkins. “We help people get past these tiny little obstacles that may have prevented them from being the wonderful people they are.”

 

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Founder, Jean Watkins, waits with Phyllis Litman and Karen Beausoleil during the fashion show last Saturday. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.

 

But the day kept getting better as Loretta Green, wife of Councilman Rich Green, was crowned as the Ms. Senior Mesquite 2015 Queen. According to the Bylaws of the organization, a queen had to be crowned, and with Green being the first runner up for 2014, she defaulted to the position. Green will go on to Las Vegas in August to compete for the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant, and if she wins that one, she will go on for the Ms. Senior America in October.

In an email to the MLN, Barton wanted to thank the sponsors who made the event such a success:  (In no particular order) VV Thrift Store, Stephen’s Boutique, Ready Golf, Canton Chinese Cuisine, Rooster Cottage, Los Lupes Mexican Restaurant, Eureka, Debbie Oskin, Checks n Mail, Lisa Napoletano, Mary Nelson, Terry Blackburn, CasaBlanca, Betty King, Danielle’s Chocolates, Redd Hills Cinema, Have Boutique Will Travel, Crazy for Hair and Oasis Chiropractic.

From left to right, Larry LeMieux, Geni Barton and Cindi Delaney go over the script and events prior to last Saturday’s Gala. Photo by Jim Lavender.

From left to right, Larry LeMieux, Geni Barton and Cindi Delaney go over the script and events prior to last Saturday’s Gala. Photo by Jim Lavender.

The afternoon affair was one for the books, and everyone is looking forward to seeing what 2016 will bring with their next pageant.

Presenting the 2015 Ms. Senior Mesquite Queen, Loretta Green, standing here with her husband, Councilman Rich Green. Photo by Jim Lavender.

Presenting the 2015 Ms. Senior Mesquite Queen, Loretta Green, standing here with her husband, Councilman Rich Green. Photo by Jim Lavender.

Members of the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant were in attendance to show their support for the MSMP. From left to right are Dorothy Guralnik, Jean Watkins, Charlie Christy, Dottie Reid and Geni Barton after the gala. Photo by Jim Lavender.

Members of the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant were in attendance to show their support for the MSMP. From left to right are Dorothy Guralnik, Jean Watkins, Charlie Christy, Dottie Reid and Geni Barton after the gala. Photo by Jim Lavender.

All of the attending former queens gathered for a photo together with founder and first queen, Jean Watkins, in the middle. Photo by Jim Lavender.

All of the attending former queens gathered for a photo together with founder and first queen, Jean Watkins, in the middle. Photo by Jim Lavender.