East Meadow's Mary Ann Smith vies for pageant crown

An East Meadow resident will compete this weekend for a chance to be crowned Ms. New York Senior America.

Mary Ann Smith, 69, is a contestant in the New York regional contest, to be held on Sunday at Lindenhurst High School. The winner advances to the national pageant, Ms. Senior
America. 

Smith was not aware of the competition until a fellow member of her gym approached her about it. The member recommended Smith to a person she knew was involved with the pageant, and convinced the surprised grandmother of two that her humor and outgoing personality could propel her to victory. 

She looks forward to the challenge — and more importantly, the experience. 

“At this age we’ve done it all,” Smith said. “We are not 20 years old and trying to beat out the blonde who is sitting next to me. We are in there for fun and show we can do it at our age.”

The beauty pageant contestant lives in East Meadow with her husband, Walter, a retired police officer. They have a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and John Zaso, and two teen granddaughters, Jennifer, 18 and Laura, 15. 

Smith is a vice queen for her chapter of the Red Hats Society, an social organization made up of women over the age of 50. The local chapter, the Ruby Hatted Rascals, partakes in creative social outings throughout the year. They are known for sporting red hats and purple dresses at their social events. It is something that Smith fell in love with on her first day as a Red Hatter about five years ago. “We worked, we retired, raised our children, helped grandchildren and did volunteer work and now we just have fun,” Smith said.  

Ms. Senior America, according to the organization’s mission statement, gives women over the age of 60 “an opportunity to display inner beauty, talents and elegance.”

The Ms. Senior America contest requires contestants to partake in an extensive interview process. On competition day, contestants participate in an evening gown competition, a speech on her philosophy on life and a talent competition. 

Contestants competing in the pageant continue to remain involved with the organization and appear at many of its functions and events. 

Win or lose, Smith said the process has been rewarding.

“I keep telling everybody I am having fun with it and if I don’t come in first I still had a great time,” Smith said. “It has been a lot of fun.”