Odisha woman wins 3 titles at International pageant

93-year-old Tova Ringer was crowned Miss Holocaust Survivor in an Israeli Pageant that aims at bringing contentment and a sense of belonging for women who suffered through the horrors of the Nazi Genocide. Around 12 contestants participated in the pageant. Tova Ringer lost her parents, four sisters and a grandmother to the Nazi Genocide. Addressing her win she said, “I am very happy. It is something special.” About the pageant she said, “I don’t have words for the people working here. They gave so much heart for us, I wouldn’t believe that at my age I would be a beauty.”

60-year-old Robyn Canner from Sydney has taken out the title of Ms World 2018(Not to be confused with Miss World). Her win makes her ‘Australia’s oldest beauty queen’. Ms. Canner lost her son to cancer when he was just 22 years of age, which made her turn to pageantry seven years ago. The newly crowned queen said that she never thought she would beat 22 other women, some half her age, and win the title. Winning the title has allowed her to talk to the youth about cancer and keep raising money for cancer research on a larger scale. Since day one, she has been working with the charity organization that her son was also involved with.

Rita Berkowitz, a Romanian-born 83 year old woman who immigrated to Israel won the third annual Miss Holocaust Survivors Beauty Pageant, in Israel. 16 European natives participated in the pageant. Hairdressers and makeup artists helped the participants look their best before they walked on the runway. The participants shared their survival stories with the audience. Ms. Berkowitz shared a message for the people of Israel, she said, “That all Jews from all across the world will come (to Israel), all of them. And we shall be stronger. We are not afraid of anyone. The Jew will never disappear from the world.” Helping Hand organization organized the pageant. The organization aids thousands of the some 200,000 Holocaust survivors living in Israel.

Betty O’Bannon was crowned the winner of Ms. Pasadena Senior pageant at the Pasadena Convention Center. The 85 year old beauty queen competed with twelve other women between the age group of 63 to 85. The participants were scored in four categories, which were- interview, philosophy of life, talent and poise, with each contestant modeling an evening gown onstage. “My philosophy of life is to be happy and to share your joy with others,” said Betty. “Laugh and be happy,” she added. Jed Aplaca, Pasadena’s new director of Parks and Recreation said that the pageant is, “a statement to honor women of achievement, women of courage, women who dare to dream and grow. We are proud to encourage them here in Pasadena because we are about family and community and making lives better.” Along with the crown, Ms. O’Bannon won a $500 cash prize, a diamond necklace and a deluxe gift basket.

85 year old, Elizabeth Lategan, won the Annual Spring Queen beauty pageant and said that winning a community beauty pageant is proof that a positive mind and hard work can increase your lifespan and good looks. She beat women who were mostly younger to her, and won the title of the Annual Spring Queen beauty pageant which was held at Kensington Civic Centre. She is one of 18 senior women from Kensington and Factreton and thought that the organizers were teasing her when they asked her to participate. The aim of the competition was to raise funds for Meals on Wheels, a community organization that helps elderly people in Kensington and Factreton. She said, “But I decided to give it a shot and there was no time to prepare or practice my moves. I just went there and I won. There were younger participants who looked really nice, but my good looks impressed the judges. I am happy, it proved that I am as beautiful and strong as I feel.” She revealed the secret of her good looks and healthy body and advised women to take care of their bodies and stay active.