SUBMITTED PHOTO Lynette Schlager of Pahrump was second in the Ms. Senior Sweetheart Pageant of America Inc. Advertisement

Lynette Schlager was the second-place finisher in the Ms. Senior Sweetheart Pageant of America in Fall River, Mass.

Schlager, the second runner-up in the Ms. Senior Golden Years USA Pageant in Pahrump last June, competed against 23 women ages 58 to 86 years old from around the world. Retired and married to a building construction inspector, Schlager excitedly described the experience.

"We spent 11 incredible days and nights," she said. "You rehearse for two, big opening numbers. You travel, they take you all kinds of places. You go to senior assisted living homes, children assisted living homes, you entertain during that period of time, go to tours, go to dinners."

Schlager performed a song and dance routine to "All That Jazz," the same talent routine as in the Ms. Senior Golden Years USA Pageant. She sang along to the musical accompaniment this time and danced in new costumes in a routine choreographed by Scotty Winegar of Pahrump.

During the interview, she elaborated on many of her projects that won her the award for best platform in the pageant in Pahrump.

She designed a Web site for the Nye County Animal Shelter and provided them with computer equipment. Schlager participated in benefit shows and charities like the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life as well as driving cancer victims to Las Vegas and her service clubs like the Red Hat Society, the Moose Lodge and the Nevada Silver Tappers.

Schlager's biography includes an impressive array of outdoor and sports activities. She was a race car driver and a crew chief for her brother; a certified scuba diving instructor; showed horses for the California Professional Horseman's Association; was a snow skiing instructor in the San Bernardino mountains and had her own music production company.

A main premise of the Massachusetts pageant was fighting cancer, Schlager said. The pageant director's 18 year-old daughter had ovarian cancer, she said.

The Ms. Senior Sweetheart Pageant of America Inc. started out as a fund raiser for the local Lions Club, it is now in its 29th year as a national and international pageant.

A panel of seven judges scored the women in the evening gown and talent show. "It was the most wonderful experience a person could possibly have, with the most incredible ladies. I couldn't even begin to tell you how talented the women were who participated in the pageant," Schlager said.

Schlager received citations from the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, the Massachusetts legislature and both U.S. senators from that state, John Kerry and Barney Frank. The Associated Press and New York Times covered the event, she said.

Schlager said she'll be interviewed on Las Vegas television soon. After that, she expects to appear at functions at senior homes or other places as a representative of the pageant and any projects she undertakes on her own.

Schlager will be participating with the Nevada Silver Tappers in their annual Christmas benefit at the Saddle West Hotel and Casino Dec. 2, followed by a benefit for the needy in Mesquite.

"It's a big privilege to place in a national and international pageant like that. So it was so exciting and I also think it's pretty nice for Pahrump," Schlager said.