A pageant that showcases older women for their grace, talent and inner beauty, is in a search for contestants.
So if you’re a woman at least 60 years old, the Ms. Connecticut Senior America pageant is hoping you will vie for the crown, said Debra Eccles, former title holder and president and state director of Ms. Senior America Club.
“It’s a little early, but it’s very hard to find contestants,” Eccles said. “You don’t have to be any size, height or shape…Every senior I know has such vitality.”
The pageant, which Eccles stresses isn’t a beauty pageant, will be held June 2 at the Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport.
Eccles said win or lose, just being a part of the pageant is great fun, full of camaraderie,
friendship and activities for all beyond the pageant itself.
Eccles believes it can be difficult to find contestants because women don’t know what they’ll do for the talent category if they don’t have an obvious stage talent such as singing, dancing or playing an instrument.
But Eccles said she can always find a woman’s talent by interviewing them and with creativity can help them bring it to the stage.
“Everyone has a talent whether it’s narrative, commentary, or they wrote a book and want to read a passage.”
She said the oldest contender last year was an 84-year-old who had a tambourine act “that could knock your socks off.”
The winner of the Connecticut title will go on to Atlantic City to compete in the Ms. Senior America contest.
Connecticut’s title holder can be as involved in the community as they want to be, or don’t want, such as making appearances at events, parades, ribbon cuttings. But there are no obligations.
The winner and the others who participate in the pageant in any way also entertain at nursing homes and VA hospitals.
‘We try to bring joy to people every year,” she said. “The friendship in the sisterhood is very inviting and warm.
“As for those competing, 30 percent of the score is the interview portion, 30 percent the talent, 20 percent for philosophy of life and 20 percent the evening gown competition, where judges are most concerned about how the women carry themselves, rather than how they look. Overall, they’re looking for poise and grace, referring to it all as the age of elegance,” Eccles said.
Any one interested can contact Eccles at 203-435-4286 or email her at debra.eccles@gmail.com
Eccles, 73, a winner of pageants when she was younger, held the Ms. Connecticut Senior title in 2021.
Her platform was resources for grandparents raising grandchildren, as she has been guardian to her grandson, Stephen, 10, since he was two weeks old.
Eccles said they now have a few contestants, but would like around 12.
For the women participating, “It’s something to look forward to. You need to renew your life at any stage,” she said.
She said woman can also become “honorary members” if they don’t want to participate in the pageant, but want to be part of an organization.
