Ms. Senior Mesquite 2016, Jean Hardman, won first runner-up in the 2016 Ms. Senior Nevada Competition. Submitted photo.

Ms. Senior Mesquite is looking for contestants for the 2019 pageant, which is scheduled on April 27.

The Ms. Senior Mesquite and Nevada State Pageants celebrate mature senior ladies and all that life has formed them to be. Not a “beauty” pageant, instead, a showcase of women’s contributions in life and community, sharing what they have accomplished.

The women who work year-round getting this pageant ready, the Ms. Senior Mesquite Board Members, work hard to gather the contestants, work on the publicity, arrange meet and greets, fundraisers and photo opportunities.

The ladies work with the contestants to gather ads coordinate them, proof and finally print them. The Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant is, after all, first and foremost a fundraising event. The contestants and board members offer businesses the opportunity to advertise in the program which raises donations for other non-profit groups in town.

Mary Nelson said, “With the loss of so many events that used to offer tables for the non-profits to generate funds gone, it’s even more important that we work hard to raise some money to help them keep going. It certainly isn’t everything they need, but we all do the best we can because they all do the best they can. It’s all about contributing and helping the other groups that assist in keeping the community vital and thriving.”

Last year the contestants raised $2,500 for local organizations.

As previously mentioned, you don’t have to be a glamour queen but you might have to get used to wearing a bit of makeup in public.

First runner up to Ms. Senior Mesquite 2016 is Gail Laird. In the talent portion of the competition, Laird performed an extremely comical rendition of her ‘Flight Attendant” duties. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Ms. Senior Mesquite is an ambassador for Mesquite; pictures and personal appearances are part of the experience and it’s all a lot of fun. In the weeks/months leading up to the pageant, there will be several times when you’ll mingle with the public at events around town.

There is a talent portion of the pageant and don’t think you haven’t any. Everybody has some sort of talent. Last year’s First Runner Up was a talented seamstress who worked her sewing into a 2 minute comedy act that was fun and hilarious. You don’t know what your talent is; no worries, there are plenty of experienced pageant ladies who will be happy to help you discover, develop your talent and turn it into a showstopper.

Contestant mums are former Ms. Senior Mesquite Contestants and Queens who have been there, done that and are willing to share their experience, their rights and their wrongs. The contestant mums are always supportive and willing to spend extra time with any contestant who feels she needs it.

If you have no prior stage experience, if you’re shy or introverted, if you’re unsure about yourself, you won’t be when you’re through. Contestants in the past have been completely transformed into women who are confident, poised and sure of who they are and what they have to offer.

Ms. Senior Mesquite Founder Jean Watkins will be honored this Saturday at Envy Nightclub as the organization celebrates ten successful years in the community. This was Watkins’ official photo after winning the first pageant in 2005. Photo courtesy of Delaney Studio.

Senior ladies are not required to live in Mesquite or have a Mesquite address. In order to accommodate women whose smaller rural communities are not able to conduct a pageant, eligibility extends to within a 50 mile radius of Mesquite, including Arizona.

For more information on the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant, please attend the meeting on Monday, Jan. 14 at Scotty’s, 1024 Normandy Lane. At least attend the meeting and see what it’s all about. Attending the meeting is not a commitment to be a contestant but it is a great way to meet the ladies involved and possibly make some new friends.