In the running for Ms. Colorado Senior America 2022, Jeanne Nott looked down the row of seven other contestants when the first and second runners-up were announced, trying to figure out the winner.

“Which one got it?” she thought, and then her name was announced. “I don’t look like a beauty queen. … I didn’t think I was the type,” she said.

The Loveland resident, an actress with Moon Theatre Co., is one of 40 contestants competing in September 2022 at the national level for Ms. Senior America, a pageant for women ages 60 and older that’s not affiliated with Miss America. She entered the state contest after learning about it from a friend and meeting with the coordinator, Rene Green, who directs the contest administered by the Colorado Cameo Club.

Courtesy photo – Berthoud actress Jeanne Nott is named Ms. Colorado Senior America for 2022.

“She looked at my materials and looked at what I had done. She saw I had the experience,” said Nott, a playwright who has decades of acting experience. “It’s so exciting so late in life. … It’s like I opened a new chapter in my life.”

Nott competed in the 27^th annual Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant, “The Power of a Dream,” on Oct. 23 at the Parker PACE Theater in Parker. The theme reflects the joy of living and not letting age be a detriment.

“It emphasizes and gives honor to women who reached the age of elegance,” Nott said. “It’s designed to enrich the lives of seniors and also to tap into their energy to enrich the lives of others.”

Nott and the other contestants competed in four categories before five judges, that of Private Interview, Evening Gown, Philosophy of Life and Talent.

“It’s not a beauty contest. They look for somebody who exemplifies dignity, maturity and inner beauty,” Nott said. “There are no swimsuits involved.”

Evening Gown is judged on how the contestants are able to walk in their dresses and present themselves. Philosophy of Life is a 45-second statement—Nott focused on positivity and looking at the bright side. And for Talent, Nott did a stand-up comedy that couldn’t go over two minutes, 35 seconds.

“I got this beautiful sash with Ms. Senior Colorado 2022 on it, a crown and a trophy. There was no money,” Nott said, adding that she was glad she had “the guts to do it.” “It’s worth it to say I’m 73 and I did this. … It does a lot for your self-esteem.”

Nott liked meeting the other contestants, who she felt like she’d known her whole life, she said.

“The friendships mean a lot, especially when you get to be our age,” Nott said. “I felt like I was with a group of people my own age and that we had so much in common. It was fun.”

Nott, as Ms. Colorado Senior America, will make several appearances in 2022, including at variety shows, parades and local events. The Colorado Cameo Club regularly visits assisted living facilities in Colorado, and in her new role, Nott will represent the club with comedy routines at Northern Colorado facilities—she said she loves telling jokes and making people laugh.

“It’s important to spread the joy,” Nott said.

Nott, who has been involved in theater since grade school, joined Moon Theatre Co. in 2016 and has been a community theater actress for about 15 years. She also acted with Main Street Players in Littleton, Washington Park Players in Denver, Bas Bleu Theatre in Fort Collins and the Colorado Dramatists. In her professional life, she worked in customer service and as an executive assistant and as a caregiver for a home care service provider.

“I love getting in front of people and performing. It’s what makes me happy,” Nott said. “I love dressing up, the gowns and the jewelry.”