Pamela Kay Pearce kept a family tradition alive when she was crowned Ms. Senior Michigan.

Pearce’s daughter, Olivia Brown, was a pageant contestant when she was 8 to 20 years old and encouraged her mom to enter the annual Ms. Senior Michigan pageant, held Wednesday, July 22, at OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester.

“My mom has always been so supportive of me when I was competing, so I really wanted to return the favor, so to speak,” Brown said. “I guess you could say it runs in the family.”

Ms. Senior Michigan Pamela Kay Pearce, 65, of Elk Rapids, stands with her daughter, Olivia Brown, who once competed in pageants herself. “My mom has always been so supportive of me when I was competing, so I really wanted to return the favor,” she said. (Dean Potter — For MediaNews Group)

And now there’s a crown to prove it.

“I was in total shock when they announced my name; I didn’t believe it,” Pearce said.

This was Pearce’s second year competing in Ms. Senior Michigan. The 65-year-old lives in Elk Rapids, but said making the nearly 500-mile round trip drive was worth it.

“The first year, I was just so nervous and didn’t have confidence,” she said. “This year, I had a different attitude. I concentrated on my strengths and my routine and thought if I win, great. If I don’t, I’m done, but at least I tried.”

Pearce wowed the judges and audience by combining her love of baking homemade cakes and cupcakes with humorous and whimsical storytelling during the talent portion of the competition.

Pamela Kay Pearce wowed the judges and audience by combining her love of baking homemade cakes and cupcakes with humorous and whimsical storytelling during the talent portion of the competition. (Dean Potter — For MediaNews Group)

Winning the crown is just one more thing Pearce can check off her bucket list. At age 61, she skydived over Grand Haven and took a hot air balloon ride over Battle Creek at age 64. She continues to be active in her church and helps both the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary.

After winning the Michigan title, Pearce said she’s excited to fulfil her duties as queen, including competing in the national pageant and promoting the age of elegance through the Ms. Senior Michigan program.

Eleven contestants entered the pageant and came from all over Michigan, including Dryden, Flint, Northville, Rochester Hills, Shelby Township and Springport.

Aggie Fisk, 60, of Rochester Hills, was named first runner-up. She captivated the packed house while playing the keyboard and singing the theme song “Flashdance … What a Feeling” from the movie “Flashdance.” After working in her family’s business for 47 years, she branched out and started her own business, becoming a Realtor at Paradise Realty. In between finding clients their dream homes, Fisk also participates in Heart of the Hills Players, OPC Social & Activity Center, and the All In Foundation.

Margreat Handley, 71, of Flint, also impressed the judges and was named as the second runner-up. She got the crowd going with a quick-stepping Jazzercise routine to James Brown’s hit “Get Up Offa That Thing.” She is involved with Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, where she teaches diabetes workshops and nutritional seminars for seniors. When she is not high-stepping with fellow seniors, you can find Handley mentoring young ladies in her church and supporting her community through food distribution programs and church ministry.

Ms. Senior Michigan Pamela Kay Pearce is flanked by first runner-up Aggie Fisk, right, and second runner-up Margreat Handley, left. (Dean Potter — For MediaNews Group)

The annual Ms. Senior Michigan competition celebrates all women ages 60 and older who have reached the “age of elegance.” It is a search for that special, gracious woman who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of Michigan senior women.

For more information on becoming a contestant, visit msseniormichigan.org or contact Toni Sanchez-Murphy, Ms. Senior Michigan board president, at 248-420-9857 or tonism24@yahoo.com.