MARK WAITE / PVT Eileen DeCosta, Ms. Senior Golden Years USA 2008, fixes the tiara on the head of the 2009 winner, Kathleen O'Connor at the conclusion of the pageant festivities at the Saddle West Hotel and Casino. MARK WAITE / PVT Alice Saitta saunters on stage during the talent show, to the Brazilian hit, "The Girl from Ipanema." MARK WAITE / PVT LaVerne Mantell was named winner of the elegant evening gown competition. MARK WAITE / PVT Crooner Al Rio sings to contestants in the Ms. Senior Golden Years 2009 Pageant from left, Arlene Harris, Kathleen O'Connor and Elaine Barkow. Advertisement

Kathleen O'Connor, a New York Giants fan who enjoys playing Texas Hold 'Em, was named Ms. Senior Golden Years USA 2009 during pageant festivities at the Saddle West Hotel and Casino Saturday night.

O'Connor didn't think she'd win the award over the other six contestants, after being named Miss Congeniality and winning the interview competition, the first two awards announced in the show.

"I figured, well, I got these, everybody else has to have a shot at it. I was happy with the two I had. I never expected to hear my name called."

O'Connor was trying to get accustomed to her new celebrity status, being asked to autograph programs and answer to people wondering "where's the queen?"

"I'm absolutely, incredibly surprised. I'm trying to absorb it and I can't," O'Connor said after the festivities.

The pageant is open to women 60 years of age and older. The winner will be a representative of seniors in Pahrump, a spokesman for senior issues and attempt to instill senior pride through her representation at various community events.

O'Connor danced to "Cabaret" from the musical "Chicago" as her talent competition. Her platform is to begin a "Pets to Vets" program in Pahrump.

"What I would do is provide free transportation to seniors in Pahrump to take their pets to veterinarians. It is my hope that by providing this service the pets will live longer and healthier lives and will continue to provide the love and companionship that we all need in our golden years," O'Connor said.

The first runner-up was Kay Ferguson, who sings karaoke locally, and won the talent competition singing "At Last" by jazz singer Etta James. Ferguson will fill in for O'Connor in her absence. Ferguson advocated pet issues in her platform as well, adding she found homes for seven animals in the past week.

The second runner-up was Beverly Turney, who performed a dance and lip sync to another hit from "Chicago" entitled "Roxy." She wanted to organize walks in the park for seniors.

The winner of the vintage bathing suit competition was Arlene Harris, who showed her toll painting and flexed muscles to show her body building skills during the talent show.

Alice Saitta won the award for the best platform. She mentioned the work the Daughters of the American Revolution have done for the Pahrump community, which includes contributing books to the library and donating money for an ROTC scholarship at Pahrump Valley High School.

Saitta mentioned her work helping raise funds for community groups like No To Abuse and the Nathan Adelson Hospice. She wants to get involved working with veterans through groups like Homeland Heroes.

"After all, these men and women put their lives on the line for each and every one of us. Now I would like to do something for them," she said to applause.

LaVerne Mantell won the award in the elegant evening gown competition.

Besides the talent show, entertainment was served up by singer Al Rio and dancer Karolyn Zambrotta, who formerly performed at the MGM Grand Resort in Reno.

Outgoing Ms. Senior Golden Years USA 2008 Eileen DeCosta, in her farewell walk, reminisced about her one year reign, attending Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce events and ribbon cuttings, judging contests, waving to everyone while riding in the parades, meeting new people and viewing the growth plans for Pahrump.

DeCosta recalled presiding over events of the past year including Wild West Days, the Pahrump Fall Festival, the annual Christmas Extravaganza by the Nevada Silver Tappers at the Saddle West, along with visits to area assisted living centers like Evergreen at Pahrump and the Beehive Home.

"My platform was to establish a senior, little theater. It's still a dream in progress," she said.