Meet the 2005-06 Ms. Senior MA Contestants!

The Springfield Jewish Community Center Senior Adult Department is pleased to announce plans for their fourteenth annual "Ms. Senior MA Golden Girls Pageant." The Pageant, under the direction of Frank P. Jackson, will be held on Sunday, September 25, at 2 p.m., at Holyoke High School, Holyoke, MA. Fourteen to vie for title This year's Pageant features fifteen women, ages 60 and over, representing ten Massachusetts communities, as they compete for the title of Ms. Senior MA. Contestants for this year's show include: Anita Barrett of West Springfield, Malita Brown of Wilbraham, Margaret Fratini of Springfield, Emurriel Holloway of Springfield, Yoko Kato of South Hadley, Alberta Montagna of Brimfield, Jacqueline Reardon of South Hadley, M. Cindy Scavone of Longmeadow, Carol Stefanik of West Springfield, Joan Scott Tutela of Andover, Annie Fog of Southwick, Sandy Lotterman of Agawam, and Joy Grycel of Chicopee. All contestants will compete before a distinguished panel of judges representing a wide spectrum of community and state organizations, media, business and public life. This years judges are: Eleni Gomez, Miss Western MA Judge/Miss Greater Holyoke Pageants; Berkley Little, Director of the Ms. Connecticut Pageant and Owner of Blazer Sound Productions; Paul Marchese, Senior Vice President of St. Germain Investment Managemnet; Kathy Mitnick, Keyboard Musician & Instructor, Director of Education, Piano & Organ Warehouse; and Lori Shamroth, News Anchor of abc 40. More than a beauty pageant Areas of competition will include personality and poise through interview, philosophy of life, overall community involvement, evening wear presentation and talent. The winner will reign as Ms. Senior MA 2005-06 representing senior women across the state, and will receive, among many exciting prizes, an all- expense paid trip to compete nationally in the Ms Senior America Pageant in 2006. All contestants will receive an award in recognition of their own distinctive beauty and their positive philosophy toward life. Joining the 2005-06 contestants on stage will be participants from the past twelve Ms. Senior MA Golden Girl Pageants, including past queens. The pageant will also feature the reigning Ms Senior America, Michelle Rahn of Colorado. All contestants will receive artistic help from Director Frank P. Jackson. Interview and modeling tips will be given by former Ms Senior MA queens, Rosemary Maynard and Conni Lind. Maureen Bellucci of Maureen Bellucci and Associates Hair Design and Day Spa will help contestants with make-up and hair styles for the Pageant. Photographic portraits in black and white will be done by Bert Krasner Photography and color portraits by Driscoll Photography. Tuxedo rentals will be donated by Yale Genton and Golden Girl T-shirts will be donated by Bolducs. There's talent behind the scenes, too Acting as Executive Producer again will be Hi Neigher, who has been with the project since it's inception. Neigher has created the scenic design, secured advertising and escorts and has acted as an overall consultant along with Bobbie Levin, MA State Pageant Director. Barbara Shciffman and Nancy Posnick will be the producers. Laura Coppola is Judge Co-ordinator and Grace Stirlacci is Stage Manager. Donald Ashe, Hampden County Register of Deeds, will return as Master of Ceremonies. Generous support for the 14th Annua Ms. Senior MA Golden Girls Pageant comes from major sponsor St. Germain (Investment Management), with additional sponsorship by Carman Associates, PRIME/Reminder Publications, Inc., WMAS-AM 1450, and King Ward Coach Lines. Tickets, transportation, etc. Free transportation from Springfield/Longmeadow to Holyoke High School is being provided by King Ward Coach Lines and Pageant tickets are now available at the Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson Street, or from Pageant participants, at $10 per person. For more information, transportation reservations and ticket purchase, contact the JCC or Bobbie Levin, Barbara Schiffman or Nancy Posnick at 413-739-4715. Meet the contestants on Sept 19 Holyoke Mayor, Michael Sullivan will welcome the 2005 Ms. Senior MA Golden Girls contestants to his city at a reception on Monday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. at Heritage State Park.