The Wininger Law Firm - July 23, 2012
- Elder Abuse
So many times in the news today, we hear of a variety of abuses occurring at nursing homes around the country. There are, however, those occasions when we hear of happy, celebratory nursing home events occurring, too.
One of those celebratory events occurred just yesterday, July 23, at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Alabama, when Viola Thomas, 92, was crowned Ms. Alabama Nursing Home 2012. Ten finalists from around the state of Alabama vied for the title and the opportunity to serve as the spokesperson for the Alabama Nursing Home Association for the upcoming year.
Ms. Thomas is a resident of Willow Trace Nursing Center in Butler, and was crowned Monday afternoon after coming out on top among the ten finalists. Thomas will share her experiences at nursing homes and community events around the state.
Alabama Nursing Home Association President, Eddie Jackson, stated that the 63 ladies who competed for the title, “are to be commended because they are wonderful ambassadors for their individual nursing home and Alabama’s long-term care profession.” Jackson added that each of the competitors captures the spirit of the pageant, which is a celebration of life and of our nursing home residents’ contributions to the lives of others.
The pageant was co-hosted by Miss Alabama Anna Laura Bryan, and Ms. Senior Alabama Niva Dorough served on the panel of judges. Other celebrity judges included Alabama Department of Senior Services Commissioner Neal Morrison, and Quintin Hawkins, Montgomery based consultant and civic leader.
Preliminary judging took place in Montgomery in June, where the field of 63 contestants was whittled down to the top ten finalists. All contestants were evaluated on personality, poise, outlook on life, and their involvement in their individual nursing homes. The top ten contestants were interviewed individually by the panel of judges the morning of the pageant before competing on the stage that afternoon.
The Ms. Alabama Nursing Home Pageant is held every year and is free to the general public.