From left, second runner-up Ms. Tennessee Theresa Rothschild-Hall, Ms. Senior America Gayle Novak of Colorado, and first runner-up Ms. New Jersey Suzie Neustadter of Margate.
Ms. Colorado takes the crown
ATLANTIC CITY – Outstanding women from across the country who have reached “the age of elegance” competed in the Ms. Senior America pageant final held in the Superstar Theater at Resorts Casino Hotel Thursday, Oct. 18. Ms. Colorado Gayle Novak took the crown and Margate’s Suzie Neustadter was first runner-up.
The women, who competed in preliminary competition on the days leading up to the final, were judged on interview, talent, evening gown and philosophy of life. Several senior citizen dance troupes and steppers entertained between competitions.
“I honestly thought Ms. South Carolina was going to win, but that I had a shot,” Neustadter said. “You never know what’s going to happen in a pageant.”
Other runners-up included Ms. Tennessee Theresa Rothschild-Hall, second; Ms. Utah Catherine Whittaker, third; and Ms. Virginia Alicia Windsong Diamond, fourth.
Neustadter, 61, said she would fill in for Novak if there were any appearances she couldn’t make, and will continue her state title, representing New Jersey at functions across the state.
“She’s a great lady, and we might do some appearances together,” Neustadter said.
Novak sang “Money, Money, Money,” from the Broadway musical “Mama Mia” while wearing overalls and pushing a cart across the stage. The song ended with her removing the overalls to reveal the sparkly pants suit underneath.
“She’s a great philanthropist and does a lot of volunteer work,” Neustadter said about her queen.
Neustadter sang “Home” from the hit musical “The Wiz,” which reflected her platform of family and “connecting the generations” by getting seniors involved in mentoring youngsters, she said.
“I did the Stephanie Mills rendition,” she said.
Following the crowning, one of the judges told Neustadter that the scoring was very close, she said.
“I’m thrilled to even be in the Top 10,” she said. “I was happy to be named first runner-up, especially since my daughter flew in from London and my cousin came in from Colorado.”
Neustadter said all the women were “very gracious” and were “rooting for each other.”
Neustadter’s evening gown, which had a simple black, tank-styled top with a black and white brocade skirt, was purchased from Rissy Roo’s where Neustadter said she purchases all her formal wear.
“Because it was Ms. Senior America, I wanted to look elegant,” she said. “Looks are important, but it’s not everything. The judges look at the interview and your resume and purpose,.”
The week was a “whirlwind” of events and rehearsals, including an interview with Time Magazine, she said.
The Ms. New Jersey Senior America organization has a large contingent of supporters and past winners, and they all enjoyed a dinner at Cappriccio following the competition. Several women were honored at the dinner, including the oldest living Ms. New Jersey America, age 91, and another who is a Holocaust survivor.
Neustadter said she got involved in the pageant because of its philanthropic focus.
Born and raised in Atlantic City and Margate, she has been a professional singer for most of her adult life and coaches children and adults at her Margate vocal studio.
She said she is looking forward to her year as Ms. New Jersey Senior America, but she plans to continue her platform of connecting seniors and youngsters in the future.
“I want to do an outreach program in the schools and conduct workshops that can give youths a view of the big picture of achieving in school and in their future,” she said.
