Stella Bagley was named the first ever "Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic" at Friday
night's pageant in the Senior Citizen's Building.

 

"Stella's Got Her Groove!!!"

Stella Bagley Named
Ms. Hopkins County, Friday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Contestant #1 Mary Edwards "wowed" the crowd with her rendition of Pasty Cline's "Crazy."

 

It was a "standing room only" crowd in the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen's Center, on Friday night, as friends and neighbors came in support of the eight candidates for the first ever, Ms. Hopkins County.  Mary Edwards, Margaret Bays, Sandy Heisler, Donna Hamiter, Mary Jo Wells, Helen Lunceford, Virginia Tanton, and Stella Bagley competed in interview, talent, and evening gown competition in the pageant, that will advance the winner to the state competition, on August 26th-29th, in Plano.

 

Contestant #2, Margaret Bays, brought along her friend, "Harry," for her talent presentation and song.

 

 

"I'm just extremely excited!" exclaimed reigning Ms. Texas, Jimmie Wilson, as she entertained the crowd with a dance number. "This is a great, great contest and you have some very talented ladies that will make wonderful representatives for the state contest!"

 

Contestant #3, Sandy Heisler, received praise from the audience during her
interview portion of the program.

 

In the talent segment of the competition, Mary Edwards began the night, singing Patsy Cline's famous hit, "Crazy." She was followed by Margaret Bays, who appeared with her ventriloquist, "Harry," and sang a selection from the musical, "Phantom of the Opera."

 

Contestant #4, Donna Hamiter, ponders before answering her interview question.

 

Sandy Heisler presented a humorous and factual reading, as the third talent competitor, as she told about how many of our marriage customs came into being.  Contestant #4,  Donna Hamiter, sang "Smile," for her talent portion of the program. And, it was Mary Jo Wells, at age 92, that appeared next and "wowed" the crowd, with her song and interpretation. She told the audience, "God gave me a smile each day and a song in my heart to share with everyone!"

 

 

 

 

At age 92, Mary Jo Wells puts thought into answering her interview question.

 

 

Contestant #6, Helen Lunceford, presented the song "Have I Told You Lately," as she was accompanied by Lynn Langford, on the guitar. And, Virginia Tanton, presented a reading for her talent segment. And, Stella Bagley, sang a lively tune, that "brought the house down," as she confidently sang "This Morning When I Rose." She was accompanied by Billie Lewis on the piano.

 

Helen Lunceford, Contestant #6, told the audience that she was a "Go-Go Mama,"
when asked to describe herself in three words. "I go, go, go, all the time!" declared Lunceford.

 

Contestant #7, Virginia Tanton, makes an emphatic statement during her
interview portion of the contest.

 

 

Sandy Heisler brought cheers from the audience, when she answered her interview question of "Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world?" "I'd go somewhere that there is trees," denoted Heisler. "Being a West Texas girl, born and reared, I know that it is mighty hard to be a 'Jungle Queen' when all you've got to swing from is a lonely mesquite tree!"

 

And, Stella Bagley, Contestant #8, told the audience that her three children were
her greatest blessing in life!

 

And, Mary Jo Wells brought tears to the eyes of almost everyone, when she said that "the Lord's Day made every weekend special, giving her the opportunity to worship, visit with friends, and relax from work!"

 

Ms. Texas, Jimmie Wilson entertained the crowd with this dance routine!

 

 

 

 

Enola Gay, local radio personality, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening and judges for the pageant included: Polly Swatsell, Tracy Dennis, Dana Pine, and Patricia Fisher.

 

Sandy Heisler was awarded Ms. Personality, at Friday night's contest.

Stella Bagley won "Best Interview."

Helen Lunceford was awarded "Ms. Congeniality" by her fellow contestants.

And, Stella Bagley was presented with the "Talent Award."

 

 

When the scores were added: It was contestant Helen Lunceford, who had been chosen by her fellow contestants for the "Ms. Congeniality" title. And, named as the "Best Personality" was Sandy Heisler. Winning both interview and talent, was Stella Bagley.

 

And, the Royal Court was: let to right, Virginia Tanton, 2nd Runner Up, Queen Stella Bagley, Ms. Congenialty
Helen Lunceford, and front, 1st Runner Up, Mary Jo Wells.

 

 

Selected for the second runner-up position, was Virginia Tanton, and first-runner up in the contest was Mary Jo Wells. With a drum roll, and the presentation of roses and gifts, it was Ms. Stella Bagley who was chosen "Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic." Bagley will be advancing to the state competition, in Plano, and receiving an expense paid trip, courtesy of Visiting Angels.

 

Stella Bagley is congratulated by Ms. Texas, Jimmie Wilson.

 

 

Congratulations to
Stella Bagley, "Ms. Hopkins County"!!!!

 

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