By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Edna Sealy is a petite redhead with an infectious smile, beautiful blue eyes and a heart of gold. She is a mother, grandmother, artist, teacher, singer and DAR member who lives in Shelby Shores on Lay Lake. She is also the reigning Ms. Senior Heart of Dixie competing in the Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant on August 9, 2014.
“Last year I learned of the Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant and decided to compete,” said Sealy. “I felt I had something to say. I am 65 years old and my life is definitely not over. I feel that seniors have so much to give back to society. I am passionate about my platform, Arts Abilities, a therapeutic art program for special needs children. I am the Arts Abilities teacher in 23 Shelby County and Alabaster schools, which is sponsored by the Shelby County Arts Council. We bring art into schools for special needs children at no cost to the schools. Teaching these children – autistic, mentally and physically challenged – beings me great joy and is the most meaningful thing I do in my life. It does something for my soul to see these children achieve something. They can take a white canvas and make beauty; it allows them to express themselves.”
“One of my most special memories was at the end of a teaching session, one of the most difficult boys was crying. When asked why he was crying, he said that this was the happiest day of his life. That says it all,” she said. “For my talent I painted a painting of roses and am singing The Rose which reflects my philosophy of life to love others and yourself with agape love.”
To send off Sealy for the Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant, Peggy Wood, Susan Barringer and Sandra Annonio hosted a brunch at the SCAC building in Columbiana. Friends and family visited as Sealy modeled her pageant wardrobe, performed her talent and answered questions.
Arts Abilities always has needs for supplies as large cans of Crayola watercolors and glue glitter. Please bring your donations to SCAC, 104 Mildred Street in Columbiana.