Retirement News : Seniors : Seniors pageant fulfills dream for runner-up

Seniors pageant fulfills dream for runner-up

Date Added: 21-04-2005

As a little girl growing up in Calgary, Alberta, Idey Elias dreamed of being in a beauty pageant.

At 74, her dream came true.

"What a wonderful experience!" she said. "My family was in the audience. They were screaming, yelling and clapping for me."

A friend thought Elias would make a good candidate for the Ms. Senior Florida Pageant and submitted her name.

Last month, Elias, of Delray Beach, traveled to Sun City near Tampa to compete against 12 women from Florida in the beauty pageant. She was named first runner-up.

"We all want to get older, we just don't want to get old," she said. "This pageant is amazing. People should recognize seniors more."

The contestants were required to partake in a talent competition. Idey sang a medley of It Had to Be You and You Made Me Love You. They also had to give a 35-second speech. Idey talked about her beliefs and how important it is to make the right decisions. She also talked about how much she loves life and how she thinks that life is beautiful.

As first runner up, Elias travels with the winner. If the winner can't fulfill her obligations, Elias takes over.

This year, the pair will visit state fairs and retirement homes throughout the state. Working with retirees is something Elias enjoys.

"I have a passion for seniors," she said. "I don't like to preach, but I do, in a very subtle way." For 17 years, Elias worked as resident coordinator for Heritage Park West, an independent living community for seniors in Delray Beach. She retired two years ago, but continues her Sabbath services most Fridays. The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County in Boca Raton trained Elias to be a para-chaplain, which allows her to conduct services such as Passover. She has been doing this more than nine years.

"This allows me to visit the sick and help people who can't get out," she said. "That is what's so great about this pageant. We travel around visiting and talking to seniors."

Even though she didn't win this year, Elias plans to run again next year.

"This was an experience I'll never forget," she said. "I can't wait to do it again."

What is your favorite book?

"The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom."

If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be?

"My mother, because she was the most wonderful woman I have ever met."

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

"My accomplishment with seniors. I always thought if I could reach just one of them through my services I would be happy. And that happened once when I was conducting a Passover service at an Alzheimer's facility. I was singing and a patient sang with me. I noticed that his daughter started to cry. The patient hadn't talked in months, but all of a sudden sang. That was so wonderful and made me feel grateful."

If you could travel anywhere where would you go?

"Israel. It's such an amazing country full of the peoples' spirit and miracles."

What is your favorite food?

"I love apples. I used to look forward to reading a book and eating an apple. I still do."

For More Information:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/boynton_beach/content/neighborhood/boynton_beach/epaper/2005/04/20/npb6_eliaspro_0420.html