Betty Aden of Greenwood says she is thrilled after being selected as first runner-up at the inaugural Ms. Senior USA pageant.
The honor was announced Sunday evening during the final round of the competition at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.
“I’m so happy I don’t know what to do,” said Aden, 75. “I couldn’t believe it, because I knew who was standing up there with me, and I was just happy to be in the Top 10.”
Fifty women age 60 and older from across the United States competed at the event.
“People think when you get to be 60 and older, you are past your prime, but not these women,” said Aden. “The best thing was being with all these women who are outgoing and spirited and love each other and love life and want to make the best of what we’ve got left.”
The winner of the competition was Donna McDuffie, Ms. Senior Alabama USA.
“She’s dynamite,” said Aden. “To be next to her on the stage was just an honor itself.”
Aden said she never competed in a pageant until the age of 72. She captured the 2013 Ms. Senior Mississippi title and competed in the Ms. Senior America pageant in Atlantic City.
She was recently named the founding Ms. Senior Mississippi USA, which qualified her to compete in Las Vegas.
“It’s an experience that I never dreamed I’d have,” said Aden. “Never did a I dream I’d come to Las Vegas and dance on a big stage. It’s just been an amazing, fun experience and a great honor.”
As a founding queen, Aden is also a member of the Ms. Senior USA Hall of Fame.
Aden arrived in Las Vegas last week for the weeklong festivities leading up to the Sunday evening competition.
During the pageant, the women were judged in three categories — interview, talent and evening gown.
Aden’s talent was dancing, and she went up against a couple of former Radio City Rockettes.
“I’m just a little gal from Greenwood, and I never thought I’d be doing anything like this,” said Aden. “I want more Delta women to do this, because it’s the best experience ever.”
Aden is a retired physical education teacher, teaching at the high school and junior college levels.
Having a love for dance since she was a child, Aden has also taught dance and also established the Betty Aden Dance Camp and the Delta Rockers, an all-senior dance team. She teaches water aerobics and indoor aerobics at Twin Rivers Recreation Association.
She is the president of the LLL club at North Greenwood Baptist Church, public relations director for Town and Country Garden Club, a member of a local bridge club and a Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
·Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
