The Ms. Senior Alabama program is returning to Cullman County for the annual competition to determine the 2014-15 Ms. Senior Alabama.

The pageant will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre on the campus of Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama.

According to Executive Board Secretary of the Ms. Senior Alabama, Inc. Sally Beth Vick (Ms. Senior Alabama Winner in 2009), the 28th consecutive pageant will be held for Alabama women, over the age of 60, competing for the title of Ms. Senior Alabama 2014-15.

“Contestants are always excited when they realize that the theater is named for the Ms. Senior Alabama 1997 winner,” said Vick. “On December 11, 2008, the Wallace State Community College Board voted unanimously for the Alabama State Board of Education to change the name of the newly renovated Wallace State Community College Student Center Theater to the “Betty Leeth Haynes Theater” in honor of Ms. Haynes.”

Mrs. Haynes’ original poem was adopted as the creed of Ms. Senior America. “She is an advocate for seniors in the community, serves as a role model for women of all ages, and is involved with the Ms. Senior America national pageant, the state pageant, and other county pageants and served for many years as executive director of the Ms. Senior Cullman County Pageant. She has generously contributed her time, influence, talent and personal funds to better the lives others,” Vick said.

“Ms. Senior Alabama, Inc. is an organization that honors women who have gracefully and elegantly reached the age of 60 years or older. It is a non-profit organization designed to enrich the lives of senior women while also allowing them to share their experiences, wisdom and interests with others.”

Since 2002, the Board of Directors of Ms. Senior Alabama, Inc. has also presented a scholarship to a high school senior from the area of the reigning Ms. Senior Alabama. The criteria for the scholarship includes academic and activity performance, need and an essay about a senior adult woman who has been a significant role model for the young lady.

Contestants are judged on their philosophy of life, talent, poise, stage presence, evening gown, community service and a private interview with the three judges.

“Without women like Betty Leeth Haynes and others who have paved the way for this program, Alabama and the nation would have missed the opportunity to experience the graciousness and talent of those who have had full and interesting lives and are willing to share their experiences with others. They are the most precious assets in this country,” Vick concluded.