Neighborhood resident Terri Teele is the essence of the saying that with age comes beauty and grace.
Sixty-five-year-old Teele was recently crowned Ms. Senior Texas in a beauty pageant in Beaumont. She went to Reno, Nev., last month to compete in the Ms. Senior America contest.
“I still can not believe I’m Ms. Texas,” Teele says. “I’ve taken it very well. I’m still myself, but of course I have a new glow.”
Teele retired five years ago after a career as a dental hygienist. Her son moved, leaving her with no family in Dallas. So Teele began volunteering for several organizations, including Seniors Active In Life, and she began skiing, ballroom dancing and has plans to travel around the world.
“I’m never going to stop,” Teele says.
In the Ms. Senior Texas pageant, Teele was judged on a five-minute interview with each judge, as well as the categories of inner beauty, evening gown and talent (she sang “If I Loved You” from the musical “Carousel”). As the pageant winner, Teele makes up to two appearances a day and encourages senior citizens to be more active.
“All they have to do is see the things I’m doing,” Teele says. “I’ve got a lot of people changing their minds. They’re going out more. They’re dressing up, and they’re losing weight.”
Beauty pageants aren’t new to Teele. She was crowned Miss Hartford, Conn., in 1948. She also has been a singer, traveling with vaudeville shows and big bands for many years.
“I’m kind of – I don’t want to use the word exhibitionist – but I wanted to sing more,” Teele says. “I just wanted more glamour in my life.”
