From Pickleball to Pageantry

I didn’t enter the Ms. Senior World pageant to win the crown—I entered to do research. As a brain health scientist studying senior pageants and an educator, I wondered: Why do women over 50 step into the spotlight? What does pageantry offer women in their prime years beyond the sequins? I planned to observe quietly from the sidelines. Instead, I found myself in the spotlight—and wearing the crown.

How does pickleball support brain health after 60? 

When I competed as Ms. North Texas 60s, my platform focused on a simple yet powerful message: a science-backed approach to healthy aging, staying mentally and physically sharp through play, connection, and challenge.

As a pickleball scientist researching cognitive benefits—yes, that’s a real field—I’ve spent years studying how interactive sports support brain health in adults over 60. 

My research focuses on how older adults experience “flow,” that deeply rewarding mental state of being fully immersed in an activity. 

Flow is linked to improved mood, sharper focus, and enhanced brain chemistry.

My doctoral research demonstrated that pickleball induces flow state in older adults, making it an ideal brain-healthy activity for seniors. 

When I stepped onto the pageant stage, I wasn’t just wearing sequins—I was carrying a message: Aging doesn’t mean fading. It can mean flourishing.

How did studying pageants change my research? 

Initially, I saw the pageant as an opportunity to gather data. I intended to observe my fellow contestants, note their motivations, and analyze the social dynamics of the event. One of my objectives was to create a study that combines measurable trends with personal stories to better understand how senior pageants impact identity, self-esteem, and social connection.

But something unexpected happened: I bonded with the women. I laughed, danced, played dress-up again, and cheered them on. I appeared on stage and connected with parts of myself that I didn’t know existed. The experience wasn’t just research—it was transformation.

And then, they called my name.

What can you do with a senior beauty pageant crown? 

Being crowned Ms. Senior World 60s 2025 is a tremendous honor that I share with the remarkable women who came before me, and I carry it with deep respect and joy. But the real reward is the journey: the platform it provides, the people I met, and the growth I experienced.

I can now share my research on brain health activities for seniors, play, and positive aging with a broader audience. Whether I’m speaking about the benefits of joining a pickleball league for cognitive health, taking a dance class, or encouraging others to try something new after 60, the core message remains: you can shine.

Pageantry has given me more than a title; it’s given me a renewed sense of purpose and a wider stage to promote healthy aging through science, movement, and connection. And in a time when aging is still too often framed as decline, I want to help rewrite that story, with science, movement, and joy.

What’s next for the Ms. Senior World champion and her mission? 

Serving as queen has afforded meaningful experiences that align with my deeper mission. This year, I will represent our community at events in Des Moines, St. George, Dallas, and Denver; be a “person of interest” on a Caribbean cruise; participate in parades in Texas and Iowa; and promote active aging at gatherings in Mississippi, South Carolina, Florida, and New York—all while reinforcing my platform to inspire adults 60+ to embrace interactive sports for brain and body health.

From the stage to the court, I’ve witnessed how pageantry and athletics foster confidence, resilience, and connection among mature adults. 

As Ms. Senior World and a competitor in the National Senior Games, I’ve come to see both arenas as catalysts for community and growth—reminding us that new challenges, practiced skills, and joyful competition are not reserved for youth. 

I’ve even noticed these benefits in my mother, who has recently begun experimenting with new quilting techniques, demonstrating that discovery and growth are lifelong pursuits.

Building on these experiences, I am now developing a new research study that combines meaningful data with lived experience to explore how purposeful, social, and joyful activities, such as senior pageants, pickleball, or creative hobbies, support cognitive health, emotional well-being, and social connection.”

Senior beauty pageants aren’t just about gowns and glitter—just as pickleball isn’t only about winning the next match. Both are powerful tools for promoting confidence, wellness, and joy.