By Janet McGregor
Contributing Writer

The annual Ms. Southland Beauty Pageant is a volunteer effort by the staff at Southland Nursing Home in Peachtree City and numerous community volunteers. The event seems to touch volunteers in such a way that they return year after year to help. It is obvious when watching the contestants that it is an exciting day and has a lot of meaning to them.

“The involvement we receive from the community makes this pageant very special to our residents and staff,” stated Angie Brown, activity director at Southland. “All the great support makes this a fun and exciting event.”

The 2000 Pageant attracted ten contestants: Hazel Buchanan, 87; Lucia Green, 92; Emma Harralson, 80; Lucille Johnson, 88; Nettie Knight, who turned 103 on April 1;; Yvette Pizar, 82; Hazel Sampson, 74; Nadine Treantafilos, 78; Mary Ann Walters, 76; and Lecy Blue, 89.

The contestants had their hair, nails and makeup done by local hair stylists, manicurists and beauty experts. Ensemble pour deux serenaded the crowd with their beautiful music.

Stallings Frame Shop and Precision Trophy donated trophies for all of the contestants, Publix donated a large decorated cake, and Nature's Nursery and Peachtree Florist contributed decorations and corsages.

“I was impressed with the community, staff, volunteer and family member participation,” said Southland administrator Gary Massengale. “Everyone had a good time.”

Members of the Marine Aviation Logistic Squadron 42 escorted the pageant contestants to and from the judging area. Judge Chris Edwards served as emcee for the event, engaging the ladies in conversation and asking questions that helped the judges in making their tough choices.

Contestants were judged on personality and physical appearance in relation to age, ability to communicate and alertness, participation in nursing home activities and their attitude toward life.

The Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City has been a long-time sponsor of the annual event. They donate funds to help cover incidentals and have participated in the event when possible.

The judges for the contest were Dr. Tom Williams, retired regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Senator Rick Price; County Commission Vice Chairman Greg Dunn; “First Lady” of Peachtree City Mrs. Debbie Lenox; The Citizen Prime Timer writer and owner of JMac Marketing, Janet McGregor; and Debra Fowler. All of the judges, with the exception of Ms. Fowler, have judged the pageant in previous years.

The winner of the Ms. Southland 2000 Beauty Pageant, Mary Ann Walters, will compete against hundreds of other local nursing home winners for a spot in the Ms. Georgia Nursing Home Pageant that will be held in May.

Nadine Treantafilos, 3rd Runner Up in the pageant, summed up the event when she said, “The whole pageant was well done and a lot of fun."

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