If the crown fits, then wear it and wear it well.

The Miss Senior North Carolina Pageant will be held on June 8 at 7 p.m. in the Owens Auditorium of Sandhills Community College Pinehurst.

“Some contestants try more than two times, “I tried four times before I got my crown,” said Beverly Wetherbie co-director of the Miss Senior North Carolina Pageant. She was crowned Miss Senior Virginia in 2005.

Miss Senior North Carolina 2009 was Richmond County resident Becky Ross. Ross, 71, remembers finding out about the pageant through the paper.

“I had never heard anything. It wasn’t until I saw it and my sister said you have to do this.”

That was Ross’ first time entering the pageant.

Ross took the advice and decided to enter.

“I looked everywhere for a gown but I finally found it in Rockingham,” she said.

Contestants must be 60 years or older to enter. The contestants will be judged on evening gown modeling, 30 second philosophy of life, and a two minute and 45 second talent portion, it does not have to be singing or dancing. During the talent portion you cannot use another person or body on stage.

So far, there are seven contestants for the pageant this year and two are from Richmond County: Lo Ellen Gibson of Hamlet and Joyce Santos of Rockingham. The two will be sponsored by the Hamlet Senior Center.

“Sponsorship is the responsibility of the contestant,” Wetherbie said.

The Miss Senior North Carolina pageant is a non profit organization. “We welcome donations, sponsorships and volunteering,” Wetherbie said.

Gibson, 71, is a native of Richmond County and a recently retired nurse at Sandhills Regional Medical Center.

“I told Susan, ‘I will make you proud,’” said Gibson. “I thought I had no talent, but I like to make people feel better so, I will be doing a comedy skit for my talent portion.”

Gibson is the facilitator of the Alzheimer’s group of Richmond County and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Joyce Santos, 68, is a Richmond County native, and retired employee of Hood Corp. in Hamlet.

“It is a lot of work, but I’m excited about it,” Santos said. “I couldn’t have done it without my sponsors from Hood Corp. and the Hamlet Senior Center. They are wonderful people at the senior center and it is where I spend most of my time.”

Santos is a member of the Hamlet Senior Center cheerleading squad. They practice on Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the senior center.

“Last year was the first time we sponsored someone,” said Susan Sellers of the Hamlet Senior Center. “I wished that there were more entries, last year North Carolina only had a total of eight.”

After the new queen is announced Ross will pass the crown to her.

“Even though my reign is almost over, I feel like it just started,” she said.

After being crowned the new queen will have a chance to compete in the National Senior America Pageant in October. The pageant is held at Harrah’s Casino and Resort in Atlantic City.

Ross said the pageant has given her the opportunity to go back to school and become a certified life coach and motivational speaker.

“I live my life now like I wouldn’t have before,” she said.

On the day of the pageant guests, will be given keepsake books loaded with information about the contestants and the organization.

This is the fourth statewide pageant for Pinehurst, tickets for the event are $8. The deadline for the pageant is May 10.

For more information please contact the Web site at senioramerica.org, Beverly Wetherbie at (910) 944-8171 or by e-mailing at weatherbie@nc.rr.com or Judy Kelley, at 910-328-3671, or Monday through Friday at the Century 21 office 167 Beverly Lane, Southern Pines

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com.