Kylene Claypool was crowned the 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant winner. She also was named Most Talented at the June 4, 2022 pageant – not bad for a lady who claims to have no talent.
She told KSST in a recent interview that she laughed when Pageant Coordinator Karon Weatherman asked her about her talent for the pageant. “I don’t have a talent. I made up one.” As planned, she warmed the audience up by “telling a joke about me.” Then, she showed just how much she enjoys dancing, doing so with seemingly boundless energy. She was the oldest Contestant at 87 years young.
She was more than surprised when she was announced as the new Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic.
First Runner Up for the 2022 title was Becky Sanderson
2nd Runner Up was Mary Lynne Anderson. She gave a performance as Betsy Ross for the talent contest.
The award for Best Personality went to Mary Williams Ellis, who encouraged others to dream big with her song during the talent contest.
Barbara Grubbs received the award for Best Evening Gown with a sparkling black number with sequins and lace.
Miss Congeniality went to Sharon Baker.
Linda Pickle Hill received the award for Best Interview.
Elizabeth Wilburn for the third time won the Best Philosophy of Life award.
The Spirit Award went to Sharon Dunham.
The Clydene Fielden Memorial Leadership Award went to Jan Massey.
Cohosts were Enola Gay Mathews and Gary Spraggins. Coordinator Karon Weatherman also presented Mathews with an Outstanding MC award. Aside from the year she competed in the pageant, Mathews has served as host for the pageant. She also offered appreciation to Spraggins, for stepping in when Mathews’ co-host was unable to attend. The pair opened the show with a song, and also performed individually while the judges’ votes were being tallied.
Talent also included 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Wilma Thompson performing a comedy skit while 2019-2020 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Vender Wright, 2012 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Ina Gore and 2010 Ms. Hopkins County Stella Bagley each also sang. Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant Assistant Director Joanne McMeans invited everyone to the state pageant at 7 p.m. Sept. 24, 2022, at Holiday Inn In Tyler.
The 50/50 raffle raised $1,622, with $450 of those tickets sold by Mary Lynne Anderson. Half of the amount raised will go to Kylene Claypool to help with her expenses should she choose to enter the Ms. Texas Senior Pageant. The winner of the other $811 was Caleb Sanderson, son of Becky who also served as escort during the pageant
Judges were Kim Good with Heritage Home Health and Hospice, Libby Davies of Family First Home Health, Charlotte Baxter with Carriage House Manor and the Cottages; and Carolyn McKinney, recently retiree and community volunteer when one of the other judges was unable to attend the June 4, 2022 pageant. Retired teacher Bea Rasmussen served as auditor.
The Pageant was sponsored by B.T. Medical Supplies. Lydia Bryant of Sulphur Springs Floral, Etc. provided the spray of flowers presented to Claypool. Pageant sashes presented to award winners were from Donna Nelson, owner of Embroidery Designs. The arch and plant stands used for the stage were provided by Melba Nash of Melba’s Kreations. Como-Pickton CISD and Michael Bowen supplied the ferns used to dress the stage. The Contestants’ Tea hosted to allow the participants to become better acquainted prior to rehearsal was sponsored by Carriage House Manor.
