By Scott Mims

Three senior ladies from Chilton County will compete this month to prove they have what it takes to walk the red carpet.
“A Night on the Red Carpet” is the theme of the 2010 Ms. Senior Chilton County pageant, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26 in the Thorsby High School auditorium at 5:30 p.m.
The three contestants are Faye Mattox Brown of Clanton, Marie Monteith Smith of Clanton, and Carolyn Faye Vance of Thorsby.
The diverse talents of the ladies should make for an entertaining night, said Pageant Director Wes Gandy.
“I had hoped there would be more who would enter, but I am well satisfied,” Gandy said. “I think any of the three could represent Chilton County very well, but with that said, Lucile (McFarland) has left some really big shoes to fill.”
Contrary to what some may believe, Ms. Senior Chilton County is not a beauty pageant. The ladies are judged in several categories including talent (30 percent), interview (30 percent), evening gown/poise (20 percent) and philosophy of life (20 percent). The winner gets to represent her county for a year and the opportunity to compete in Ms. Senior Alabama.
The opening number on pageant night will be “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Later that evening, each contestant will perform her talent for the audience.
Faye Brown will be reading from a children’s book she wrote herself, “Tammy the Tattle-Tale Turtle.” Brown is the mother of two children, grandmother of five and great-grandmother of eight.
Marie Smith will be singing “How Beautiful is the Green Earth” a capella, followed by an autoharp performance of “How Great Thou Art” and a little “boogie-woogie” on the piano. Smith is the mother of two, grandmother of two and great-grandmother of two.
Carolyn Vance will be singing “May I Have This Dance” by Anne Murray. Vance is married to Dalton Vance and is the mother of four children and grandmother of four.
Each contestant must perform within a time limit of two minutes, 45 seconds.
Private interviews are conducted before a panel of three judges. This year’s judges will consist of a former Ms. Senior America contestant and two certified judges with Miss America.
Finally, the philosophy on life is timed to 35 seconds each.
“Carolyn and Marie are returning contestants,” Gandy said. “Faye is the newcomer this year.”
Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children and students. Tickets will be available at the door. Sponsorships are available for $200.
For more information about the pageant, contact Gandy at (205) 299-2808.