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Ms. Massachusetts Senior America Pageant

Who will be chosen to reign as state queen in this year's contest?


PRIME September 2012
GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Four Massachusetts women – three from the greater Springfield area, one from eastern Massachusetts, who have reached the "Age of Elegance" will be vying for the title of Ms Senior Massachusetts in the 19th annual state pageant on Nov. 4. The event, which is a qualifying pageant for the national Ms. Senior America contest, is slated for 1 p.m. at Holyoke High School, located at 500 Beech Street. Tickets, which are priced at $12 per person, are available by contacting Pageant Coordinator Lorraine Gorham at 413-534-1318 or by emailing her at lorraines352@aol.com.
Listed here are brief biographies of this year's contestants:
Gedalia Aviles, a resident of Westfield, was a bridal shop owner in her native Puerto Rico. She has enjoyed working with the Westfield Public Schools as a bilingual teacher's aide. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Aviles has tutored special needs children and adults. As a counselor at the Center for School Crisis Intervention and Assessment Inc. she was responsible for the care and development of the severely physically and mentally challenged individuals. Aviles has five children, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She loves to cook for family and friends, birthdays and special parties. Aviles enjoys gardening, sewing, knitting as well as cooking Spanish as well as American dishes. She writes poems, takes walks along the river, and if a helping hand is needed she is there.
Rita Breglio, born in Athol, is now a resident of Westfield. She has been an office manager – medical receptionist, a credit manager and has worked in sales. She loves dancing, singing, sewing and helping others. Breglio has a wonderful love of life and enjoys making others laugh. Her favorite pastime is writing poetry, square and round dancing, which she has enjoyed for the last 45 years. She has also been involved in the Ladies Society Church Choir, Community Chorus and Minstrel Shows for more than 30 years in Athol and Orange. She has had some interesting moments in her life, working for a scientist – chemist and an inventor. She flew for the first time – at age 66 – to Coronado Island in the Bay of San Diego, and to Las Vegas this past February to marry her husband, Tony.Rita has two children and three grandchildren.
Dianne McCoy was born in Shreveport, La., but for the past 36 years she has lived in Springfield. McCoy is a dress designer with 45 years of experience designing custom-made clothes, and owns and operates "Lady Di House of Style." She is a member of Goodwin A.M.E. Zion church and an Evangelist.
Her involvement in ministry has led her to overseeing "I Shall be Whole" for women. McCoy's favorite vacation spot is Arizona so she can visit with one of her daughters. She enjoys dancing, shopping, and action movies. Asked about the interesting events in her life, she notes becoming a mother to her three daughters, a wife, and grandmother to six and great grandmother to two. At 35 she was the winner in Reach for the Stars Pageant in New Hampshire, receiving best adult model.
Ruth Harcovitz is from Needham, Mass. She trained as an opera singer at the New England Conservatory and at the Vienna Academy of Music. Harcovitz has performed and recorded with the Boston Symphony in Symphony Hall and in Carnegie Hall in New York City. She has appeared in musical theater reviews and has her own group, "Champagne." Currently, Harcovitz presents programs of lighter music across the state for community organizations, women's clubs and schools. She has taught voice for more than 40 years, focusing on the talents of young adults. She is a real estate broker and has won sales awards. She was chosen as Miss Boston in 1972, talent winner and runner up to Miss Massachusetts in the Miss America program. She enjoys cooking and is a gourmet cook. Harcovitz has travelled in Europe and Mexico. She an avid reader of history and biographys. Harcovitz enjoys a yoga practice and has been jogging for many years.

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Ms. Massachusetts Senior America Pageant
Ms. Massachusetts Senior America Pageant
Ms. Massachusetts Senior America Pageant
Ms. Massachusetts Senior America Pageant