The spotlight shone brightly on a group of remarkable women on Saturday, June 7, as the annual Ms. Senior Golden Years Pageant returned to Saddle West in Pahrump. Founded and directed by BJ Hetrick-Irwin, who also serves as the organization’s president, the pageant is more than a celebration of age and grace—it’s a platform for purpose, community service, and honoring the golden years with dignity.
Crowned as the 2025 Ms. Senior Golden Years was Carolyn Buckley, whose platform centers on raising awareness for The Fisher House Foundation. The nonprofit organization provides free lodging for military and veteran families close to where their loved ones are receiving medical treatment. “While I was trying to get services and care for my husband who was suffering from the effects of Agent Orange, The Fisher House Foundation was a great help to me,” Buckley shared. “Unfortunately, most people in Pahrump don’t know about the services they offer. My platform will be to raise awareness of this establishment and all it can offer to our veterans and their families.” Buckley also delighted the audience with a stand-up comedy routine about aging, earning big laughs while reminding everyone that joy and humor only grow stronger with time.
First runner-up Mary McRoy focused her efforts on preserving local history. A proud member of the Nevada Silver Tappers, McRoy’s platform is renovating and restoring the Silver Tappers exhibit at the Pahrump Valley Museum. “I am planning to renovate the Nevada Silver Tappers exhibit, highlighting their costumes and history in Pahrump,” she said. “As a Silver Tapper, I’ve worn many of these costumes myself. The exhibit will feature favorites like Toy Soldiers, Emerald City, and Burlesque.” McRoy noted the project is especially meaningful as it honors BJ Hetrick-Irwin’s 100th birthday and pays tribute to her longstanding leadership in both the Silver Tappers and the Ms. Senior Golden Years Pageant. For her talent, McRoy brought color and energy to the stage with a lively song and dance performance of Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana.”
Second runner-up Diane Sauter brought a safety-focused vision to the stage. With a background in law enforcement and investigations, her platform is centered on community protection and education for both children and seniors. She proposed the creation of a yearly “Smile Safe” Child ID program in partnership with the sheriff’s office and also introduced plans for a “Groom” program to raise awareness about grooming and human trafficking. “The objective is to enhance community awareness by educating individuals to recognize and report suspicious activities,” Sauter explained. Her platform also includes a Senior “Well Check” program that would allow families to request wellness visits for elderly loved ones, with follow-up communication from the Sheriff’s Department. Sauter’s talent performance was a vibrant dance to Pharrell Williams’ upbeat hit “Happy”.
Mercedes Kennedy was named Miss Congeniality, a title voted on by fellow contestants, and Denise Gohlson received the award for Most Photogenic.
The event concluded with a heartfelt recitation of the Ms. Senior Golden Years USA Creed, penned by Mitzi Jears, which captures the spirit of the evening: a celebration of wisdom, resilience, friendship, and love.
Debbie Forrest
BJ Hetrick-Irwin’s vision continues to offer a meaningful stage for senior women to express their passions, advocate for causes close to their hearts, and inspire others to embrace aging with grace, confidence, and purpose.
*A special thank you to Holly Clayton for her assistance with this story.
