By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Ms. Senior Shelby County 2014 Ellen Brake and Ms. Senior Heart of Dixie 2014 Edna Sealy will crown their successors at the Ms. Senior Shelby County 2015 Pageant on Friday, May 1 at 6 p.m. at Morningstar United Methodist Church, 11072 Highway 11, Chelsea, Ala. 35043, off Highway 280.

Former Ms. Senior Alabama Edwina Chappell is the director of the open pageant for women ages 60 and over, the age of elegance.

The titles are preliminaries for the non-profit Ms. Senior Alabama and Ms. Senior America Pageants whose mission is “to enrich the lives of senior women while also allowing them to share their personal experiences, wisdom, and interests with others.”

Women are judged on interview, philosophy of life, evening gown and talent.

Brake who lives in Birmingham and Sealy who lives on Lay Lake in Shelby Shores have had wonderful years sharing their philosophies.

“I feel that the program has helped me to gain more self-confidence,” said Sealy. “It has helped me develop my talents and grow as a person. I felt honored to represent my home Shelby County and be able to promote my platform, the Shelby County Arts Council Art Abilities program which I teach.

“I teach art to special needs students in 23 Shelby County schools and Alabaster. Through SCAC funding, I bring art for autistic, mentally and physically challenged students at no cost to the school. It is the most meaningful thing I do in my life and it brings me great joy to see these children express themselves through art. I decided to enter the pageant last year because I wanted to share about the Arts Ability program and to share my philosophy of life. I believe we are here to love, to share our talents with others, and to help people. Age just gives us more wisdom and knowledge to share.”

“It has been a wonderful year,” continued Sealy. “I would like to thank my family and friends for all the support that have given me throughout the year. I feel truly blessed. It has been an amazing journey.”

To enter the pageant, call Chappell at (205) 678-6619 or (205) 365-6080.