For decades, St. Louis women over 60 have kept the spice of life alive by competing for the title of Ms. Missouri Senior America. The 2023 edition of the annual pageant, which celebrates and honors women who have reached the “age of elegance,” takes place April 30 at the Florissant Performing Arts Center.

“The age of elegance means a lot to me,” said Vicki Fenster, a former Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant first runner-up. “It means that as a senior over the age of 60 years, I can still be the ‘best me I can be.’”

Fenster is just one of many Jewish women who have found a community within a community. In fact, the pageant has a long, storied history with many women in the St. Louis Jewish community, including Marcene Tockman who won the title in 1999.

This year, the name of Karen Kaye gets added to this distinguished list of pageant contestants.

Karen Kaye

Kaye has called Creve Coeur home for 54 years and attends services at both Central Reform Congregation and Chabad of Chesterfield.

Kaye, 76, will compete in four categories: A personal interview with judges before the pageant starts (which counts for 30% of the judging); poise in an evening gown (20%); recitation of a 35-second philosophy of life (20%); and a 2 ½-minute talent presentation (30%).

For her talent presentation, Kaye will bring a bit of country flavor.

“I’m doing a country line dance of one to a medley of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and “Baby Likes to Rock It,” said Kaye.

To her fellow sisters in the Cameo Club — the nonprofit organization behind the Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant — Kay is known as “Medical Miracle.”

“I am dancing with a metatarsal joint fracture on my left foot and fractured spine from a fall,” said Kaye. “I actually had a kyphoplasty spine surgery six days ago to lessen pain.”

The Jewish Light wishes Kaye and all the contestants the best of luck, but don’t break a leg.

The Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant is Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the Florissant Performing Arts Center. Tickets are still available.