Stunning, stylish seniors take the stage

King, queen crowned at Top Senior Model

FREDERICKSBURG — The second-annual Top Senior Model Contest was held Saturday at Chancellor’s Village retirement community in Fredericksburg. The eight women and three men valiantly strutted their stuff down the aisle, each on the arm of a sharp and strong U.S. Marine.

The contest proved without a doubt that beauty is ageless. The competitors were judged on the categories of Runway Presentation, Personality and Creativity, Makeover Presentation and this year’s new category, Talent.

The Talent category gave the models a chance to show their wide array of skills. Beverly Parsons, 78, from Norwood, Ohio, displayed her painting ability with a portrait of a German man. Kate Quigley, 86, from Omaha, Neb., stated that her greatest talent was being a mother and raising six wonderful children. And, Commander B.J. Belmore, 90, played a nice number on his harmonica that drove the audience wild.

Last year’s top models, Florinda Cooper, and Homer Kline had front row seats to the show as they waited too see whom they would crown as this year’s victors. After the judges difficult decision, the title of 2009 Senior Top Models were awarded too Audrey Ferrell, 81, of Spotsylvania, and Bill Mann, 91, of Fredericksburg.

Mann showed everyone that he still has it, by dancing for the crowd holding a photo of his wife in one hand, and his cane in the other. He moved along to the music and in the end gave a gracious bow to the judge’s table.

When asked for advice to the younger generation, Mann stated, “Lead a strong Christian Life, see the sunshine through the hole in the black clouds and when things are going wrong think of someone less fortunate.”

All of the seniors in the contest displayed that the passion of living and love of life endure throughout the years.

Looking back, contestant Audrey Ferrell vowed her greatest accomplishment was having a medical clinic in Kenya, Africa named in her honor following 50 years of dedicated and tireless work at Fredericksburg Baptist Church.

“We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future” she said.

The Senior Top Model contest will be held again next year at Chancellor’s Village. All interested will have to wait and see what styles and talents the contest will bring. It is open to the public and family and friends are encouraged to come.

John Fiess is a contributing writer for the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at info@staffordcountysun.com.