Sixty-year-old Christina Robinette has tap danced her way to win the title of Ms. Senior Arizona 2023 and will represent the state in the national competition.
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Sixty-year-old Christina Robinette has tap danced her way to win the title of Ms. Senior Arizona 2023 and will represent the state in the national competition.
The youngest contestant in the 34th Annual Ms. Senior Arizona Pageant — produced by the Arizona Cameo Club for ages 60 and up — Robinette, of Kingman, was crowned in front of a packed audience on June 10 at Palm Ridge Recreation Center in Sun City West.
She was among 15 contestants showcasing their talents in tap, interpretive dance, belly dancing, spoken word, monologues, comedy, singing, and more. Ladies also modeled formal dresses, performed a choreographed group routine in front of a panel of judges and a room full of applauses and cheers.
The newly-crowned Ms. Senior Arizona 2023 advances to compete in the Ms. Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey; receives a banner, crown, winner’s trophy, rhinestone crown pin, a gift certificate for fine dining, a gift bag, and attends all national pageant events.
First through fourth runners ups each got placement trophies, rhinestone crown pins, and gift bags. All contestants received rhinestone crown pins and gift bags.
First-runner up Lori Morgan, of Scottsdale, wowed the crowd with her abilities to sing “Over the Rainbow” while doing American Sign Language. In addition to a trophy for being a finalist, she got a trophy for the “Best Talent.” Lynn Willocks, 64, also of Scottsdale, belly-danced her way into fourth place for a trophy.
Peggy Jacobs, 66, of Peoria, was named “Miss Congeniality” and came in third place with her bilingual singing and tambourine playing. And, Lylla Alejandro, 81, of Sun Lakes, placed second with her comedic set.
“They are all truly unforgettable and all are worthy to wear the crown,” said Marice Kunz, the pageant administrator.
After Kunz welcomed a sorority of former queens in attendance, whose experience includes walking the “long runway,” making/maintaining friendships through pageantry, she invited them to the spotlight to parade in front of onlookers.
Many wore formal gowns draped in sashes, showing the years and states where they won. Some notables were identified wearing tiaras. As names were announced during the roll call, the queens waved, walked and some even wheeled around the room, while posing for photographs.
The 2022 Ms. Senior Arizona, Patricia Person, appeared last in the paraded reunion of former queens. She spoke about her experience, the past year, as being the first Black American crowned as the Ms. Senior Arizona. She credited her husband, family and friends for being her “constant cheerleaders.”
“Without their encouragement and love, I wouldn’t have been standing here,” said Person.
She added how much she loved meeting and encouraging people at various events during her reign.
“She’s continuing to prove time and time again her passion for this state,” Kunz said. “You have been an amazing queen and representative.”
“It was an absolute beautiful experience to get all these diverse personalities. What an honor to be in the presence of all these women,” said contestant, Christa Hayes, of Sun City.
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