Elllis crowned 2024 Ms Hopkins County Senior Classic

Elllis crowned 2024 Ms Hopkins County Senior Classic Image

• 2023 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Jan Massey Richardson crowned Mary Ellis the 2024 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Queen. Ellis also won Most Talented during the June 1 pageant. For more Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant photos, see page 10 Staff Photo by Faith Huffman
• 'Forever queens,' past Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic and Ms. Texas Senior pageant winners had special seating, to ensure they had prime seats up front near the stage to catch all of the action. Several of the forever queens also performed while the judges were tabulating their choices for awards during the 2024 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant. Talents ranged from singing and dancing to comedy.
• 2024 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Queen (center) Mary Ellis poses with first runnerof the 2024 senior pageant. up (left) Barbara Darity and second runner-up Pam Jorgenson at the condclusion
• Sarah Farmer went home from the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant with the Spirit Award .
• Mary Jane Buise received the award for Best Personality.
• Barbara Grubbs won the award for Best Philosophy of Life during the annual Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant, held June 1 at the new Senior Ctiziens Center.
• Debbi Sutton received an award for Best Interview.
• Senior Citizens Center Coordinator Dawna Pryor congratulates Teresa Rocha on receiving the Best Evening Gown award.
• In addition to winning the crown, Mary Ellis also won the Talent award.

Faith Huffman Tue, 06/04/2024 - 20:22 Subhead Darity, Jorgenson named runners-up for title Body

Mary Ellis was crowned Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic at the conclusion of Saturday’s pageant, the first big event held in the new Senior Citizens Center. Ellis’ moving spiritual singing not only garnered a Most Talented award, but ultimately, helped secure her place as the 2024 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic winner.

The pageant, dedicated to a few center regulars who passed away over the past few months, featured nine vibrant ladies from age 60 through 93. Each went home with an award.

Ellis will not only have the pleasure of attending and helping at ribbon cuttings and community events, but will also have the option of representing Hopkins County at the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant to be held Sept. 21 at the Holiday Inn in Tyler.

First runner-up was Barbara Darity, and second runner-up Pam Jorgenson. Darity also went home with the Miss Congeniality title.

The award for Best Personality went to Mary Jane Buise.

The Best Interview was given by Debbi Sutton.

Barbara Grubbs won the award for Best Philosophy.

Teresa Rocha won the Best Gown. The award for Best Spirit went to Sarah Farmer.

Ms. Texas Senior 2015 Joanne McMeans invited all of the contestants to participate in the state pageant.

Also among the “forever queens” present included former Ms. Hopkins County Senior 2021 Wilma Thompson; Ms. Hopkins County 2023 Jan Massey Richardson; Vender Wright, who served as Ms. Hopkins County in 2019 and 2020, then won the Ms. Texas Senior title in 2022; Ms. Texas Senior 2012 Nancy Bolton; and Ms. Texas Senior 2024 Kathy Matthews.

The theme was eclipse, so the contestants opened the pageant with hand motions and flashing glasses to a mashup of eclipse-related songs.

Sulphur Springs Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Maynard and Stacey Wetzel of First Choice Home Health served as masters of ceremony. Gary Spraggins of Xlnt provided sound for the event. Judges were Stacy White of Heritage Home Health, Richelle Johnson of Caraday, Kristen Morrison of Anytime Fitness, Charlotte Baxter of Carriage House Manor and Libby Davis of Family First. Bea Rasmussen served as auditor. John Little served as usher. Senior Citizens Center Coordinator Dawna Pryor provided introductions and served as coordinator.