Aiming to be queen

On Saturday, 15 women over the age of 60 will be competing in the Ms. New York Senior America Pageant at Hofstra University in Hempstead — and an Elmont immigrant hopes to win it all.

Imogene Miller, who emigrated to America in 1974 from London, hopes to beat her 14 opponents en route to the national competition in Atlantic City in October. She said she hopes to give inspiration to other ladies who, like herself, have reached the age of elegance.

“The pageant helps promote a positive image of aging,” Miller told the Herald.

The Barbados-born retired nurse moved to Elmont in 1987 and has two daughters and two grandchildren. She said she found out about the pageant by flipping through the Pennysaver one day, and coming across an announcement. She called the pageant’s director, Marlene Schuss, whom she said gave her the encouragement she needed to decide to compete.

The pageant, which County Executive Ed Mangano announced in March, will be held in Nassau after years in Suffolk. It features four categories aimed at exemplifying “qualities of the modern dynamic senior.” On Saturday, guests will watch the contestants engage in a personal interview, a recitation of their philosophies of life, an evening-gown presentation and a talent performance, for which Miller is planning a Caribbean dance that will pay homage to her roots.

Saturday’s queen will represent New York in the race for the coveted national crown.

In her spare time, Miller enjoys playing tennis, writing poetry, going on vacations, shopping and spending time with her grandchildren.

“[The pageant] would give me a platform to showcase the dignity and inner beauty of all senior Americans,” she said.

Being able to represent seniors — and starting in Atlantic City — would be added to that list.