Las Vegas woman, 61, crowned Ms. Senior Nevada

Photo provided by Ms. Senior Nevada

Marilyn O’Leary was crowned as Ms. Senior Nevada at the annual pageant Wednesday at the South Point. She will represent the Silver State at the 2010 Ms. Senior America show in Atlantic City.

By Dylan Scott

Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 | 12:01 p.m.

Marilyn O’Leary was crowned Ms. Senior Nevada at the annual pageant on Wednesday at the South Point Casino.

O’Leary, 61, topped 12 other participants vying for the crown and will represent the state at the Ms. Senior America pageant Oct. 3-7 in Atlantic City.

She charmed the judges with a rendition of “The Brinisi”, a drinking song, when she showcased her singing voice. O’Leary first came to Las Vegas in 1978 from her hometown of Houston to audition for “Hallelujah Hollywood” at the MGM Grand, she said.

After a successful run with the show, she moved to the East Coast. She returned to the valley three years ago.

O’Leary described the pageant process as meticulous, from picking the right gown to writing a life philosophy to present to the judges. She said that along the way, she gained good friends in the other 12 contestants, all of whom practiced together for six weeks to pull off the pageant’s opening number.

“They’re like family,” she said. “It’s an incredibly stimulating experience.”