PHILLIP GOMEZ / PVT Competing "in a friendly way" for the title of Ms. Senior Nevada are Val Hallam, left, Ms. Senior Nye County since 2005, and Sally Smardon, at right, the reigning Ms. Senior Pahrump. In the middle is Scotty Winegar, backstage manager for the pageant. Advertisement

Fifteen women will compete for the title of Ms. Senior Nevada as the state pageant gets under way next week, Aug. 28-30, at the Sun Coast Casino in Las Vegas.

Pahrump has two contestants in the extravaganza: Sally Smardon, representing the town, and Val Hallam, representing Nye County, who also lives in Pahrump.

Five judges will conduct interviews with the candidates early in the week. Judging will also take place for talent, a 35-second philosophy-of-life speech and modeling of evening gowns.

The event is open to the public only Wednesday, Aug. 30, starting at 1 p.m. in the Sun Coast showroom, when the speeches will be judged. Reno television personality Bob Carroll is the master of ceremonies. General admission is $10.

The contestants, are selected from all over the state, said Scotty Winegar, the backstage manager.

Founded by Patti Ogren in 1985, the pageant's theme of grace and elegance as displayed in mature women has been encapsulated as "The Age of Elegance."

Millie James of Pahrump won the pageant in the mid-1990s, said Winegar. "We would like to bring the crown back to Pahrump to represent Nye County," she said.

Any woman over 60 can enter the contest and any type of talent is welcome, Winegar said. "It doesn't have to be singing or dancing; it can be showing off your tapestries."

Hallam has a novelty dance routine and Smardon has a golf magic show as their individual talent demonstrations.

The selected winner gets an all-expenses-paid trip back east to attend the national pageant for the crowning of Ms. Senior America, and represents the state of Nevada in functions over the course of the coming year.