Representing seniors proves to be fun for a queen

Kris Hill

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2000 | 10:04 a.m.

Suzanne Myers walked down a street in Ventura, Calif., with her husband and saw an upscale dress shop called California and Main. She told him that someday she would have a reason to go into that store.

That day came last summer after Ms. Senior Nevada 1996 Evelyn Phillips approached Myers at a Sun City Dance Company rehearsal.

Phillips told Myers, a seven-year Las Vegas resident, that she should try competing in the Ms. Senior Nevada pageant in 2000 because it would be fun.

Myers, 65, had never entered a pageant, but if she was going to, she decided she would need a dress from California and Main.

The next time Myers and her husband of 43 years, Marty, were in Ventura, they stopped at the shop to get her a dress.

One advantage of California and Main is that the owner keeps a list of who buys what so that she wouldn't sell the same dress to two women competing in the same event, Myers said.

After acquiring her dress, she began preparing for the competition. Former winner and fellow dancer Phillips helped with the various aspects of competing, Myers said.

Phillips explained such things as the inner beauty interview and the talent portion of the competition.

In addition to dancing, Myers also sings in the Sun City Musicmakers Chorale. She has performed off and on since she was a little girl in Pleasantville, N.Y.

Being in a pageant, however, was a completely different experience than her childhood dance lessons. "It was so exciting," she said. Since she didn't know how she would do, she focused on enjoying herself.

She had a lot of support from family, friends and particularly her husband, she said. While mulling entering the pageant, she asked for his opinion.

"Go for it," he told her.

Her friends from the dance company and the chorale, and her husband, four children and grandchildren were all present at the competition June 11.

Her cheering section roared when she won the talent award -- wearing the dress from California and Main, she said. And as the announcer introduced the winner by describing her as more than just talented, another roar erupted as her friends and family realized she was about to win.

"It was so surreal," she said. "But it also humbles you."

As queen of Nevada's seniors, she has many obligations, including representing the state at the Ms. Senior America pageant, which was in Reno Oct. 15-20.

She placed in the top 10. To some it may have been a disappointment, but she said what was more important to her was the opportunity to meet other talented women from all over the country.

Myers will serve as Ms. Senior Nevada until next summer when a new winner will be crowned. Until then, the retired physical therapist will travel all over the state entertaining and speaking. She will also meet top government officials such as the governor, legislators and the Supreme Court.

Being the queen allows her to travel and be around people, and it's important for her to enjoy herself, she said. It's a responsibility she takes seriously.

"I do represent the seniors of the state."