Ms. Senior Orange County Crowned; Advances to State Pageant

Press release issued by Ms. Senior California:

A Yorba Linda woman has been crowned Ms. Senior Orange County on Saturday night, taking the first step toward eventually beicoming Ms. Senior America.

Fabie Combs and first runner-up Suzanne Millhollen-Goodrich from Rancho Santa Margarita will advance to the State Pageant to compete for the title of Ms. Senior California at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster on Aug. 31.

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Combs was crowned in the third of eight preliminary pageants for the Ms. Senior California Pageant held Saturday at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo.

Second runner-up was Elaine Brammel from Carlsbad. Carol Hess from Long Beach took home the trophy for the talent competition with her song “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from “Funny Girl.”

Throughout the competition, the contestants competed in four categories including: Personal Interview, Evening Gown, Philosophy of Life and Talent. Comb’s walk across the stage to accept the sash and trophy marked her first steps on a journey that will take her from spotlight to spotlight representing the American woman 60 years of age and up who has reached the “age of elegance.”

Combs, a resident of Yorba Linda, has given hours of volunteer time to organizations such as the Tustin Hospital, KOCE TV Pledge Drive, Continental Cablevision, and is a board member and President of her local homeowners association. She is a member of the Tapestry Christian Fellowship. In 2002 she was selected to carry the Olympic torch because of her community service.

Over the years, she has received many awards for her volunteer work. She’s been a flight attendant, a marketing rep with the Polaroid Corporation, has run corporate events, and owned her own production company, Won Lord Productions, where she has aired 22 television shows. Fabie is married with one child and two grandchildren.

For her talent portion of the pageant, Combs played a Flamenco guitar arrangement of “Malaguena”—an arrangement she created. Combs is a self-taught guitarist.

The Ms. Senior America Pageant is the world’s first and foremost pageant to emphasize and give honor to women who have reached the “age of elegance.” It is a search for the gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all Baby Boomer and Senior women.

The Ms. Senior America philosophy is based upon the belief that Baby Boomers and seniors are the foundation of America, and one of our country’s most valuable resources. Women and men alike of these generations inspire their peers and younger generations to stay vital and connected to life! It is also upon their knowledge, wisdom and experience that younger generations have the opportunity to build a better society.

The next preliminary pageant will be the Ms. Senior San Diego pageant on April 26 at the Paradise Village Retirement Community in National City. Anyone interested in being a contestant in San Diego should contact Peggy Padilla at Peggy.100@att.net or call (760) 431-9275.

Sponsors of the Ms. Senior California Pageant include: Emeritus Senior Living, Kaiser Permanente – Medicare & State Programs, the City of Mission Viejo, and Paradise Village of National City.

About Ms. Senior California

For more information on becoming a sponsor of the Ms. Senior California Pageant Program, contact Pamela Wheeler, California State Pageant Director and CEO of the Ms. Senior California 501(c)3 organization at pwheeler94@cox.net.

Dr. Al Mott, in the state of New Jersey in 1972, started the Senior America Pageant Program. In 1986, the California Chapter was created under the leadership of Ms. Elda Barry of Long Beach. She led the chapter until her retirement in 1999. In 2000, Marilyn McCabe Kohler accepted the position of Director of Ms. Senior California. Since that time, the program has grown from one pageant to seven Preliminary Pageants and one Annual State Pageant. Upon Kohler’s retirement, leadership of the California Program is now under the direction of Wheeler.