Now is the time for all ladies ages 60 years and older who have thought of entering in the 2019 Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant to follow their dreams and just do it, said Trojan Sara Jo Burks, the reigning Ms. Senior USA. 

“I’m living proof that you are never too old and it’s never too late to reach for your dreams,” Burks said. “For the first time ever, contestants are not required to win a preliminary pageant to earn their spot at the state pageant. There has never been a better time to enter. It’s so much fun and you will never regret it. You make lifelong friends and have the time of your life.”

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2019 Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant to be held July 13 at Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham. The deadline for entry is April 15. There is a $50 application fee. Workshops will be held in Birmingham, Montgomery and Huntsville areas. The crowned 2019 Queen of Alabama will then go on to compete in the National Ms. Senior USA Pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada in early 2020.

The pageant will include an interview, a 35-second speech, an evening gown presentation and a three-minute talent presentation.

And dreams do come true, Burks said.

Burks said her dream was to be Ms. Senior Alabama, however, being a contestant for the Ms. Senior USA Pageant in Las Vegas was beyond her comprehension and winning the state title of Ms. Senior USA 2018-19 was more than she could have even imagined. But it all happened because she dared to follow her dream.

And, as a result, she has had the opportunity to do more things than she could have ever imagined.

As Ms. Senior USA, Burks advanced to Ms. Senior Universe and was third runner up. She was the first Senior Queen to ever be featured on the cover of Pageantry Magazine. She attended the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants and recently had the opportunity to attend International Women’s Day at the United Nations in New York.

She will fly to Seattle, Washington for the Global Beauty Awards on April 6 as a nominee for the Best Titleist.

“I want to be an inspiration to young ladies as well as senior ladies that we shouldn’t let fear keep us from trying something that may challenge us, whether it’s going back to school, taking a dance or art class or sharing our talents with others.”

Burks said she wants to encourage all ladies ages 60 and over to enter senior pageants, especially the 2019 Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant.

Those who have questions about the pageant or want to enter are encouraged to email donnamcguffie@yahoo.com or sburks@troy.edu. Either will be glad to answer any questions and/or send an application. The deadline for entry is April 15.

“Let’s have another representative from our part of Alabama bring that crown home, Burks said.