PARIS – The contestants are preparing, the anticipation is growing and tickets continue to be sold. This may be the first “Beauty Is Ageless” Senior Beauty Pageant, but it won’t be the last. The community has stepped up and offered undying support and now — for its first year — it might reach maximum capacity.
In a recent conversation with Beauty Is Ageless event coordinators, Lamar County Sheriff Scott Cass said he would be the master of ceremonies for this event and give his total support. His positive attitude, community involvement and benevolent personality continues to show and makes him the perfect choice for this event’s master of ceremonies.
This will be the first ever event of its kind in our area. The idea of the pageant is to celebrate and honor all aspects of the elderly, in whatever capacity. The name Beauty Is Ageless was chosen, not based on physical beauty, but more on the beauty of life, the privilege it is to grow old and the spirit, attitude and presence of the contestants.
While celebrating and honoring the lives of the elderly of our community, the event will also raise money for the New Hope Center of Paris and the women and children that they serve in Lamar County.
Although there has been more than a gracious amount of community support in many ways, Premier Home Care and Hospice has been the spearhead of this event.
“We at Premier wanted something we could do as community outreach, something different to give back to those we serve,” business development coordinator Josh Allen said. “By honoring the lives of our elderly population we can raise needed funds for the women and children in our community who seek shelter at the New Hope Center.”
Allen also serves as treasurer on the New Hope Center’s executive board. It is a determined plan to have Beauty Is Ageless carry on annually as a fundraiser for the New Hope Center, he said.
“What started as a small idea in a conference room has now blossomed into a large and anticipated event,” Allen said. “That is heavily due to such amazing support from the many people and businesses in Lamar County. And to have Sheriff Scott Cass as our master of ceremonies is such an honor for me and us at Premier Home Care & Hospice.”
The pageant will feature 16 contestants who will participate in a “Showcase Round” judged on best hat/hair, most creative apparel and overall. There will also be a talent round, although this category is not mandatory and not all contestants will showcase a talent.
“These ladies have taken a huge step to become a part of this first event that will benefit the lives of many for years to come,” Allen said.
The first annual Beauty Is Ageless Senior Beauty Pageant contestants are:
- Irmgard Allen
- Christina Barnett
- Ella Clanton
- Letha Cole
- Virginia Coleman
- Ruth Hartliep
- Jessie Martin
- Ruth Morris
- Bettye Parker
- Erma Pratt
- Mildred Ragsdale
- Dorothy Ritchie
- Helen Smallwood
- Dee Smith
- Rose Szczepanek
- Martha Vanderfriff
Prizes will be given to the first place winner in the Best Hat/Hair category and in the Most Creative Apparel category, and then the Overall category winner will be crowned queen with a tiara donated by Paris Bridal and Formal Outlet, and a custom trophy donated by Kings Trophy.
Each contestant will receive a flower arrangement, and the overall winner will get a custom Beauty Is Ageless sash, all donated by Paris Flower Mart.
The judges will score each contestant on a point system of one to 10 for the three categories of Best Hat/Hair, Most Creative Apparel and Talent, and on a point system of one to 20 for the Overall category. Since everyone is not competing in the Talent Round, it will not affect the scoring of the Overall category.
Judges for the event are:
- Joan Mathis, head of the PJC English Department
- Dr. Sherry Scott, Paris physician
- Dr. Cliff Scott, Paris physician
- Kimberly Fasken, board president of the New Hope Center of Paris
- Gay Ballew, executive director of the New Hope Center of Paris
Six Mary Kay beauty consultants will be on hand to provide complete makeup treatment to all contestants who wish to receive it.
Compliments of Paris Tan & Spa Co. and Danielle McKee Dance Company, there will be two hair stylists present for the hair needs of the contestants if they need last-minute touch-ups or a complete styling.
There will be fruit cascades, gourmet cheese and crackers, a tea bar, punch and water catered by Celebrate It!, and many flavored coffees compliments of Paris Coffee Co.
In an effort to raise more funds for the New Hope Center of Paris, there will also be a large silent auction, featuring donations from many businesses and individuals from all over Lamar County.
Those who have entered something into the 2013 Beauty Is Ageless Senior Beauty Pageant event are:
- All About You
- Beall’s
- Belk
- Bois d’ Arc
- Burgerland
- Crazy House
- Crossfit
- Danielle McKee DanceCompany
- Dr. Regina Easlon
- Granny’s Quilts
- Home Depot
- Paris Community Theatre
- North Lamar Theatre
- Paris Junior College
- Paris Tan & Spa Company
- Jemasco, Inc.
- K95.5
- Paris Baby
- Paris Freight
- Paris Glam
- Petco
- Stateline Fireworks
- Suddenlink
- The Rub Club
- Tire City
- Today’s Cuts
- Tony’s Tuxes
- Tractor Supply Company
The event is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at Celebrate It! Tickets are $7 at the door.
Thank you to local community sponsors and supporters:
- J&L Paving
- Jemasco, Inc.
- Rotary Club of Greater Paris
- Young Title Company
- Paris Chevrolet
- Mike Herron – Mike’s Custom Paint and Body
- Paris Smiles
- Renee Harvey – Century 21
- China Star
- Ballard Insurance
- Scott’s Collision Repair
- Dr. Xavier
- James Hodge
- James and Nelda Campbell
- Dubuis
- Heritage Bank
- Danielle McKee Dance Company
- McGregor Insurance Agency
- Nathan Bell Realtors
- Guaranty Bond Bank
- Gale Optical
- ORR Honda of Paris
- People’s Bank
- Flower Mart
- Office Max
- Paris Coffee Co.
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For information or to make a donation, call Premier Home Care & Rehab at 903.737.9010. Tickets may be purchased at the door at Celebrate It!
By Josh Allen, eParisExtra