Hazelwood Woman Participates in Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant

After a Sunday afternoon of tap dancing, singing, tambourine performances and speeches, there remained only one piece of business for the Ms. Missouri Senior America—to name the winner. Master of ceremonies Don Wolff announced in the end that Peggy Eggers of Florissant was crowned the 2011 queen.

Eggers competed against nine women from across the St. Louis metro area, including Hazelwood resident Julia L. Gettinger, in interviews, evening gown, philosophies of life and talent.

Upon the announcement, Eggers stood on stage with a stunned look and tearfully accepted her crown. 

“I was so surprised,” she said immediately following her win. “Everyone was so talented, and I just had a good time.” 

The afternoon of competition kicked off with the contestants presenting their evening gowns and life philosophies. The talent competition soon followed that segment and excited the crowd.

Eggers sang an operatic version of “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Carol Moldafsky of Town and Country gave a sensual performance singing "When You're Good to Mama" from the Broadway hit, Chicago. 

The last performance kept the audience buzzing as Florissant resident Wendy Gordon performed a jazzy number called, “A Little Sugar in My Bowl.”

Before the announcement of the 2011 queen, 2010 Ms. Missouri Senior America Jacquie Crawford, who lives in St. Peters, expressed her gratitude for the experience and for the support of the past year. 

“Being queen has been the most unforgettable journey in my life,” she said. “I hope I’ve represented the pageant well.”

Ms. Senior America Kim Moore, who’s a St. Louis native, spoke a few minutes as well before the crowning and gave a surprise performance of Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”

Before the crowning of the queen, the runners-up and Ms. Congeniality were presented, which included:

Ms. Congeniality: Char Gestring, Bonne Terre

Second Runner-up: Merrily Woodford, Manchester

First Runner-up – Wendy Gordon, Florissant

All contestants in the pageant will be part of the queen’s court. Sunday's contestants included: 

• Peggy Eggers, Florissant
• Phyllis Follmer, St. Louis 
• Char Gestring, Bonne Terre
• Julia L. Gettinger, Hazelwood 
• Wendy Gordon, Florissant
• Elizabeth Herring, St. Louis 
• Carol Modafsky, Town and Country
• Sandy Rosell, University City 
• Merrily Woodford, Manchester