Tennessee resident Sandy Elliott, the reigning Ms. Tennessee Senior America and a retired Mt. Juliet High School choir director, was named runner-up in the 2026-27 Ms. Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Florida's Debbi Miller was crowned the 2026-27 Ms. Senior America Queen. The national pageant for women ages 60 and older concluded Oct. 15.
Elliott was second among 44 contestants.
"Although I would have loved the crown, I'm thrilled to represent Tennessee as the first runner-up and I've had the time of my life," Elliott said.
Elliott, 63, said she joined the pageant world a few years ago after she was "talked into" entering the Ms. Wilson County Fair senior pageant in 2023, which she won. Elliott continued entering pageants, which coincided
with a personal journey to lose weight and improve her overall health and fitness.
The second runner-up of the Ms. Senior America Pageant was Ms. Colorado Colleen Costigan; third runner-up Ms. Texas Rosemary Bennett and the fourth runner-up was Ms. Kentucky Susan Shrewbridge.
Elliott, who sang "The Prayer" at the Ms. Senior America Pageant, is active on social media, where she shares fitness and Galveston Diet advice. She also sings and dances with the Tennessee Jewels.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's Sandy Elliott 1st runner-up in Ms. Senior America Pageant
