One RVer discovered fun, friendship, and self-confidence when she participated in a recent pageant.
By Gina Maus, F510163
February 2023
It’s funny to imagine that a mature camper would compete in a national beauty pageant, but I did. After hitting my 60s, I found I wanted to challenge myself in a completely new way, so why not compete for Ms. Senior World?
The RV was home base for Charlie and their dogs Lola, left, and Emma when Gina competed in the Ms. Senior World pageant.
My husband, Charlie, and I left stressful corporate jobs in Cincinnati after a brush with cancer, deciding to move to Florida where we could turn our hobby of home renovation into an early retirement. Shortly thereafter, we decided to buy a travel trailer during an extensive renovation, thinking we might need to live in it for a while, but we started traveling instead. Recently, we spent two months out West, visiting parks and other tourist destinations. We fell in love with the lifestyle.
In 2021 we stayed at a national seashore while watching a friend compete in a senior beauty pageant. Women ages 50 to 79 strutted their stuff in evening gowns, sportswear, and formals. Surprisingly, they were incredibly confident. Life experience had given them “something” they didn’t have when they were younger, and they seemed eager to share it with others.
Charlie and Gina after rehearsal day one.
After the pageant, I became intrigued. I have always believed that risk equals reward; so, after submitting the paperwork, I found myself representing the Emerald Coast of Florida, with mentorship as my platform. I wanted to show the world the value senior women bring to serving their communities.
In anticipation of the competition, Charlie and I made reservations at the same national seashore spot, but after weighing the feasibility of getting red-carpet-ready in a 28-foot travel trailer with two dogs and a husband, I decided I would stay in the hotel with the other contestants. He decided to camp at the seashore and allow me some bonding time with the other women. I wondered about the looks he might get when he descended the steps of our camper in his tuxedo.
Gina’s pink-flamingo-themed hat, worn during the tea.
Pageant week was a whirlwind of activities. It began with a wine-and-cheese party for all the contestants to meet. Then there was a formal Queens Dinner, followed by a high-tea luncheon at which each contestant was required to wear a hat they decorated to reflect their home state. I chose a pink flamingo theme for Florida. The rest of the schedule consisted of rehearsals for the show, complete with dance routines and prep for our individual competitions. It was such a fun week.
The contestants included a doctor, an attorney, a hot-air-balloon pilot, a semi-pro golfer, a former “Price is Right” model, a figure model for the Barbie doll, a professional pageant coach whose daughter became Miss America, a survivor of traumatic brain injury, a combat veteran, a former New Orleans Saints cheerleader, and a past Miss California who acted with Sandra Bullock in the movie Miss Congeniality.
The couple with Sherry Strother, pageant director, at the Queens Dinner.
A funny thing happened during one of the rehearsals. Imagine lots of mature women trying to learn choreography, and the counting that goes along with that. If you have no dance background, someone yelling, “Five, six, seven, eight!” may not make a lot of sense. So, at one extremely frustrating point, I raised my hand and said, “I was told there would be no math in this competition.” Well, that moment of laughter and release was all that was needed, because the rest of the rehearsal went smoothly. We all realized that this was not life or death — it was just a few simple moves for an opening number.
As the final night approached, I received a text from Mitzi, the “backstage mom” I had when I competed for Miss Alabama 40 years ago. She had helped me avoid many ward-robe malfunctions and to do quick changes during that competition. I expressed my concern about my strapless evening gown for this pageant, because I had lost weight during the week. She assured me that she would bring the “special tape” with her should it be needed. What a great friend to have.
“Backstage mom” Mitzi joined Gina at the pageant reception.
When competition night arrived, I was named a finalist, and we competed again for the national title. To my great delight, I actually won! (And Charlie now answers to a new title: “Mr. Senior World.”)
During 2023 I am responsible for media interviews and appearances, but I really want to inspire mature women everywhere. I hope that even those who aren’t compelled to compete will still be encouraged to do things that scare them. Comfort zones are good to a point, but the real fun in life comes from taking a chance. Never be afraid to try something new . . . your best days lie ahead of you.
My personal platform is mentorship, because I really believe that it is important to teach younger folks what you have learned in life. So much of that is being lost in the world today, such as people not knowing how to do simple repairs around the house and at the campsite. The day after the competition, we were back home in Florida, and I was doing a drywall repair (water leaks wait for no one). The life of a queen may not always be what it seems!
Back in Florida, the gowns and glamour were replaced with tools for a home repair.
Ms. Senior World Pageant
The Ms. Senior World Pageant was created by senior women for senior women. The mission of the pageant is to promote the valuable contributions that women ages 50 through 79 make in their communities and the world at large. The contestants are judged in four areas of competition: judges’ interview, 30 percent; activewear, 20 percent; fashion runway, 20 percent; and evening wear, 30 percent.
Ms. Senior World is one of the fastest-growing pageants for senior women, because it focuses on the ultimate pageant experience — boosting confidence, having fun, making friends, and allowing mature women the opportunity to share important platform issues with other delegates and the world. Seniors today are very active, and this competition affords them an opportunity to share in an event where all of the focus is on them.
Each delegate receives a package of gifts worth several hundred dollars, and the winner receives a prize package worth over $1,000. Ms. Senior World’s year involves public and media appearances to promote the organization and her personal platform.
To learn more about the Ms. Senior World Pageant, including information about the 2023 competition, visit www.seniorworldpageants.com.