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Frisco woman represents city in Ms. Texas Senior America pageant
Frisco resident Debbie Baker was one of 20 women to compete in the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant held in Frisco on Aug. 11. Photo courtesy of Debbie Baker.
By Lexie Morrison, staff writer
On Saturday, Aug. 11, 20 senior women from across the state competed in the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant at the Embassy Suites Hotel Frisco Conference Center. Frisco resident Debbie Baker was one of those competitors.
The pageant aims to redefine senior women in the 21st century and represent a positive image of aging and well-being. Women in the pageant were judged in four categories: an interview with the judges, an evening gown presentation, a discussion on the philosophy of life and a talent competition.
Baker felt that the pageant would be the perfect fit for her as she has been committed to promoting positive ideals for senior women by writing and publishing a women's newsletter, working as a fitness model, serving as the director of women for a church and serving as the founder and the co-founder of several women's organizations.
Baker hopes competing in the pageant will help her serve as a positive role model to her children and grandchildren as well as other seniors.
"I want to leave a legacy to my children and grandchildren to keep reaching to be the best you can be, until the day you step into heaven, and participating in the pageant was one of the ways to do this," Baker said.
For the talent portion of the competition, Baker performed a motivational presentation titled "How to Pack Your Bags for the Rest of the Journey," where she dressed as a flight attendant traveling through life as she presented five ways to have an enriched life as a senior adult.
Baker focused on relationships for her philosophy of life discussion in the competition.
"My philosophy of life is based on relationships," Baker said. "Life is about relationships. Our value systems are shaped by relationships with our families, friends and community."
Throughout the competition, Baker enjoyed preparing for the pageant and getting to know the other competitors in the pageant from across the state.
"I enjoyed meeting very inspiring and talented women from all over the state," she said. "I also enjoyed going through the preparation that it took to create the speech for my talent, develop my talent costume and the personal growth that came with taking the steps to compete."
Baker hopes to inspire and encourage other seniors to reach their goals and also hopes to speak on issues that affect seniors.
"I want to encourage seniors to keep reaching for small and large goals with what energy and income they have," Baker said. "Additionally, I would love to speak at the local, state and national level on issues concerning seniors."
Baker gave advice to fellow senior women who want to participate in the pageant.
"Keep reaching for your goals and dreams, you're never too old," she said. "Get out of your comfort zone and share your talents. Show the world how elegant, inspirational and talented the senior woman of today is."
Seniors are an important resource because of the wisdom and knowledge that they have gained that gives them a better perspective in life to understand what is important and what isn't, Baker said.
"We are America's most vital natural resource and from the knowledge we've gained as seniors we can impart the best ways to create a positive and active life and can pass this along to benefit younger adults and even to our peers," she said.
The 2012 Ms. Texas Senior America competition crowned Lillie Madison of Arlington its winner. Madison will represent Texas as she competes for the title of Ms. Senior America in Atlantic City, N.J. from Oct. 7 through 12.
Pageant Coordinator Mary Frances Hansen was pleased with how this year's pageant turned out and believes the women who participated in the pageant helped make it so special.
"What makes our pageant so unique are the ladies that participate in the pageant," Hansen said. "These ladies come from all walks of life and they all have a story to tell. Just because you reach a certain age doesn't mean your talents have diminished. They are inspiring role models and mentors not only to their peers, but also to the younger generation."
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