MARK WAITE / PVT The Rev. Carole Fucillo takes her victory walk after being named Ms. Senior Nye County at the Maverick Saturday. MARK WAITE / PVT Michael Cagle belts out a tune as the guest artist at the pageant. MARK WAITE / PVT Lou Ann Zilla performs a belly dance during the talent contest. Advertisement

The Rev. Carole Fucillo was named 2009 Ms. Senior Nye County during pageant festivities at the Maverick Saloon and Dance Hall Saturday.

Fucillo won the talent competition dancing in a Spanish dress to the classic 1950s hit, "Tequila."

She became an ordained minister in 1999 and opened a wedding chapel in Pahrump in 2001. She participates in the women's ministry of her church, is also a substitute teacher and a court-appointed special advocate for children.

Fucillo was the first female police officer in Revere, Mass., and is a U.S. Air Force veteran.

"I can't get over it. It's like I'm in a dream," Fucillo said, teary-eyed after the announcement.

Fucillo said the pageant helped her shake off her minister image and show off her dancing skills. She was once a professional dancer and helped choreograph five women who danced at hotels in New York City in the 1960s.

Fucillo will compete in the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant Aug. 24-26 at the Southpoint Casino in Las Vegas.

Her philosophy of life she recited during the evening gown competition: "To live my life to the highest integrity and honesty; to be able to share with my community in the very best way that I can; to be able to help them in need, such as women that have been abused to be able to help them break that cycle; children that have been in foster care, to be an advocate in the courts; to love thy neighbor as thyself and to be the best representative of my Lord and savior."

The first runnerup was Shary Jimerfield, who operated seven businesses and worked for many of the big hotels in Las Vegas. She formerly sang with the Sweet Adelines. Jimerfield performs with the Dancing Steps Follies, volunteers with the Moose Lodge and at rest homes.

Second runnerup was Mary McGuire, who was crowned Little Miss Los Angeles at age 5. She grew up acrobatic dancing, playing the piano and taking drama lessons.

A longtime Pahrump resident, McGuire has been rescuing animals for years and at one time had 16 horses, 25 dogs and more cats than she could count.

Laura Ann Bush, who like her namesake the former first lady, comes from Texas, was named Miss Congeniality.

Venita Frederick had an interesting platform, also paying tribute to God.

"I had seven operations with steel in my leg and He has made me whole at the age of 18. Turn it around." Frederick said: 18 to 81.

Probably the oldest of the former senior beauty queens in attendance was Kitty Duarte, 93, the 1988 Ms. Senior Nevada, who sang the Jimmy Durante tune, "Old Man Time" with an unexpected extra verse. In one of the few glitches on the show, she had to ad-lib.

"I don't know what happened to this recording but it isn't mine," she sang to some laughter.

Rita Di Domenico, the 2008 Ms. Senior Nye County, in her parting words said, "It has been an honor to carry the title of Ms. Senior Nye County, to be part of and represent the town of Pahrump, Nevada.

"I've met so many wonderful people along the way. I know the lady I pass the title on to will be the epitome of grace and elegance," she said.

Charlie Christie, director of the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant, said, "One thing about our pageant, it keeps these ladies young and energetic."