The Ms Senior Sweetheart Pageant

Vaughan gets a sweetheart deal

KATHLEEN DURAND, Herald News Staff Reporter

11/08/2004

FALL RIVER -- Shirley Vaughan of Roanoke, Va., was crowned National Ms. Senior Sweetheart for 2004-2005 Sunday before a big crowd in B.M.C. Durfee High School's Nagle Auditorium.

One of 30 women between the ages of 59 to 87 in this year's pageant, the 69-year-old Vaughan sang a medley from "Carousel" for the talent portion of the event. This was the third time she competed for the title.

"I can't tell you how honored I am and how privileged I am to represent you," she said.

Vaughan, dressed in a blue gown, said she will do all in her power to raise the profile of the Ms. Senior Sweetheart Pageant, because she considers it the best organization she's known. She said her time at the pageant, which started Oct. 28, has been like a vacation.

"I've enjoyed it so much," she said.

Len "Low Price Lenny" Kaplan started the pageant in Fall River 26 years ago, but this is its 10th year as a national competition. The contestants came from all over the United States and the Virgin Islands.

Vaughan enjoys volunteering and working with the elderly.

Mary Ann Buzzelli, 67, of Las Vegas, who performed a jazz dance, is first runner-up. The branch manager of a mortgage and real estate firm, she is the mother of seven, grandmother of 15 and great-grandmother of two.

Selected by the judges as second runner-up was Marlene Koppenhaver, 71, also of Nevada. Ruth Berkel, 70, of Sarasota, Fla., was named third runner-up; Yvonne Barnes, 67, of Cincinnati was selected as fourth runner-up; and 84-year-old Virginia Ann Freeman of Fredericksburg, Va., was named fifth runner-up.

This was Freeman's eighth year in the pageant. She danced to "Rock Around the Clock."

The talent component of the pageant took place at the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford Thursday. The judges interviewed the contestants Saturday at the Quequechan Club.

"This event is a hoot. These girls are hot," said Thomas Lyons, president and chief executive officer of Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank, a major sponsor of the pageant.

He said it is a great tribute to Kaplan, who serves as its president.

Lyons said most of the contestants are mothers, grandmothers and even great-grandmothers, community volunteers and successful businesswomen. He said they are part of the fabric of their communities, just as the pageant is part of the fabric of Fall River.

Beverly Hunt Sherrod of Michigan, Ms. Senior Sweetheart 2003-2004, said it scarcely seems possible a year has gone by since she won the title. She said it was a wonderful experience and the best part was meeting the other women in the pageant.

She thanked the people of Fall River and New Bedford for being so warm and friendly.

"You made me feel at home. It's been a joy," she said.

The Ms. Flaming Glow Award, which Kaplan likened to a Miss Congeniality Award, went to Elizabeth Fell of Alabama.

As the oldest contestant, Yvette Mancini, 87, of Fall River, received the Anita Raposa Award, named for the first Ms. Senior Sweetheart.

Virginia Freeman, Bonnie Buchner of New York, Donna Donlin of Minnesota and Rose Singleton received Louis Sanft Awards, reserved for contestants older than 80. Marie Briere of Fall River and Winnie Staley of North Carolina were awarded plaques.

Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. said the pageant "is all about our own senior sweetheart, Lenny Kaplan." He thanked the contestants for gracing the area and showing class, dignity and the importance of holding one's head high when facing challenges.

Kaplan was master of ceremonies. He ran the first pageant in 1978 as a fund-raiser for the Lions Club.