Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Senior beauties step out in pageant

Caldwell police assistant wins crown

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By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

Betty Grant, mother of six and grandmother to five, during the evening gown competition at the Ms. Senior Idaho Pageant last weekend at the Community Campus in Hailey. Photo by Willy Cook

Caldwell resident DiAnna Wilson was crowned Ms. Senior Idaho for 2009 after 10 senior beauties from around the state took to the stage in Hailey last weekend. They came to sing, read poetry and dance. They also came to share their philosophies of living.

Hailey played host to the pageant for the first time Saturday, presenting four Wood River Valley ladies as contestants: Aysa Armitage, Patricia Dugan, Betty Grant and Hazel Mountain.

About 200 people watched the event at the Community Campus in Hailey. R.L. Rowsey from Company of Fools served a musical director.

The pageant, which is open to women over the age of 60, is designed to "promote the dignity and value of America's seniors." Unlike the Miss America pageant for younger women, the Ms. Senior America pageant calls for contestants to share their wisdom, beauty and talents during "The Age of Elegance."

Wilson will travel to Atlantic City, N. J., in October for the Ms. Senior America Competition.

"Hailey was a beautiful place to have the pageant," she said. "It was an incredible experience. I had a great time."

Wilson works as an administrative assistant at the Caldwell Police Department. During the talent competition she wowed the crowd with a dramatic performance of the song "I Can't Say No" from the musical "Oklahoma."

"I have been asked to perform at several places since the pageant," she said. "It is my hope that I will represent Idaho well."

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Sharon White of Boise won first runner up and Stephanie Holman of Twin Falls won second runner up.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com