Three North County women and one San Diegan took top honors in the 2008 Ms. Senior California of America pageant, held Sept. 14 in Westminster.
The winner, opera singer Shirley Pearson of Del Cerro, sang “Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix” (“My Heart Opens Itself to Your Voice”) from the opera “Samson and Delilah.”
Peggy Padilla of Carlsbad was deemed first runner-up for her “Twelfth Street Rag” tap. Second runner-up Jane Wagner of Encinitas performed the Chinese Ribbon Dance, and third runner-up Judy Naylor of Oceanside crooned Patsy Cline's “Crazy.” Fifty-five women competed in the pageant.
Pearson, who won the Ms. Senior San Diego pageant in February, one of five preliminary contests in the state, didn't start singing opera until about five years ago.
|
Ms. Senior San Diego
When: Next pageant is Feb. 28
Where: Balboa Park Club, 2150 Pan American Way in Balboa Park
Information: Marilyn McCabe Kohler at (949) 830-4187 or mssrcadirector@aol.com
|
|
At the urging of friends, the mezzo-soprano decided to give it a try.
“I thought, you know, why not? There's a time in your life to try anything and everything new,” Pearson said.
Entering pageants, however, was not on her radar.
“I'm not really a pageant person,” said Pearson, 72. “I didn't grow up always wanting to be a princess or running around wearing tiaras. It was a whole new thing for me.”
Pearson now heads to Atlantic City to compete in the 2008 Ms. Senior America National Pageant Oct. 19-25.
Ms. Senior California contestants are judged on their personal philosophy, an evening gown presentation, talent and an interview with pageant judges.
Padilla said she was proud to be the oldest, yet fastest-moving competitor with her tap routine.
“By the time people reach this age, they're not really competing (with) fierce things, just competing to enjoy the process and being around other people our age,” said Padilla, 77. “That was sort of a special thing, to do the fastest number and be the oldest one.”
Padilla, who also dances at retirement homes, spent a portion of her summer at the beach body boarding.
“I just want to keep alive and alert and happy and moving,” she said.
For Wagner, competing in pageants is a confidence booster.
“You're never too old to be dressing up and (looking) elegant,” said Wagner, who celebrated her 67th birthday Thursday.
“I'm thrilled just to place. It's very competitive and everybody's beautiful, and they're so talented.”
Given 35 seconds to distill her philosophy of life for the judges, Wagner, who was born in Taiwan, told them she was proud to be an American citizen, that she raised three children and once owned her own Chinese restaurant in Cardiff, Jenny's Place.
“I told them, 'Never give up on your life,' ” Wagner said.
Naylor, an aerobics instructor and concierge at the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort and Hotel, said a friend told her about the senior pageants, which piqued her interest.
Naylor's friend told pageant organizers that her talent was singing, something Naylor had never done much outside the shower and the car.
“He had never even heard me sing,” said Naylor, 64. “I about freaked out. I had an average voice and had never embellished on it. ... I had to do something, so I just started practicing.”
Naylor said her voice and confidence level have improved since she started competing. Still, pageant jitters are inevitable, she said.
“I don't care how good you are, how long you've been singing or dancing or whatever your talent is, you are still going to be nervous,” she said. “You're competing against ... women that are just phenomenal.”
The next Ms. Senior San Diego pageant will be Feb. 28 at the Balboa Park Club, 2150 Pan American Way in Balboa Park. For more information or to compete, contact pageant director Marilyn McCabe Kohler at (949) 830-4187 or mssrcadirector@aol.com.
