KSST’s Faith Huffman recently sat down with the 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant contestants in groups of three to help the community get to know these vibrant, engaging beauties a little better and whet appetites for this weekend’s contest. And, 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Wilma Thompson also graciously stopped by for a chat about her experiences this year.
The interviews have been broadcast over the past 2 weeks on The Morning Show and on Suddenlink Channel 18. Interviews and information provided about each of the 12 contestants will also will be posted, by interview group, on KSSTraido.com.
The Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant will begin at 6 p.m. this Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Hopkins County Civic Center. There’s no entrance fee to attend, just a desire to support the 12 contestants as they shine.
Those who wish may purchase tickets for a 50/50 raffle. Half of the funds from ticket sales will go to the lady crowned 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior to help her pay for expenses as she advances to the state pageant. The other half of the money will go to the winning ticketholder. Tickets are available in advance from any contestant or the Senior Citizens Center, or may be purchased at the door before the pageant. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
Valerie Ross
Valerie Ross has lived in Sulphur Springs for nine years. She loves spending time with her family, which includes three children and five grandchildren.
The 67-year-old also likes to sew, work in the garden, do crafts and go to junk sales.
She is involved in her church and a Bible study group.
Ross is a return participant. Her first year to be in the pageant was in 2015. She was unable to participate the next year because she was in the hospital, but has competed in the pageant every year since. No even a walking boot on one foot deterred her from being involved one year.
“it’s a lot of fun, the comradery. I was on the fence about doing it this year, mainly because I had COVID and I had lost a lot of hair. I had long hair. But, things are much better and my hair started growing, I decided I want to do it. Being with the ladies, it’s just a lot of fun,” Ross said.
Although she has yet to capture the title, Ross has not gone home empty-handed. Two years in a row she was recognized for Best Talent and last year had the Best Evening Gown.
This year, she’s trying something different for the talent contest. For the past three years, Ross has performed a comedy skit. This year, she plans to sing, although she is not usually a singer. She’ll be stepping out of her comfort zone for to sing the Big Band song, “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Barbara Grubbs
Barbara Grubbs has lived in Sulphur Springs about 60 years. She has three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In her spare time, the 68-year-old enjoys traveling, painting, writing, acting and spending time with her family. She has been involved working elections in Hopkins County for a number of years as well.
“This is my very first time to do this. It was something my granddaughter thought I should do,” Grubbs said. “She signed me up.”
She has been involved with the Community Players at Main Street Theatre for a number of years, and from time to time has done a bit of acting. So, she will put those skills to good use performing a comedy skit during the talent portion of the pageant.
Mary Lynne Anderson
Mary Lynne Anderson has been in Sulphur Springs for six years. She has two children, four grandchildren and one brand new great-grandchild.
The 73-year-old loves to travel, go antiquing, do cross-stitch and basket weaving, listening to music, watching movies and playing Mahjong and LCR with her friends.
Anderson is most recently busy with her new puppy, Bella.
“This is my first time to be in the pageant. I decided to do it because it was on my bucket list,” Anderson said.
For the talent contest, she plans to give a Betsy Ross monologue. She contacted a childhood classmate and friend, Janet Harris, who is an actress in Pasadena, for help picking the right one. Within 30 minutes, she’d sent five different versions. They went through them and picked the one they felt was the best fit for her. She’s been practicing for a while now to try to get it down so she won’t forget any lines.
