Arkansas Health Care Association crowns Senior Queen

Three women were honored for their beauty, grace and accomplishments on June 4 as the top winners at the District 1 Queen Pageant, which was hosted by the Arkansas Health Care Association (AHCA) at the Conway Expo Center.

Mary Tucker (from left) represented Greenbrier Nursing & Rehabilitation in Greenbrier & was awarded second runner-up, Bonnie Kernan from Cabot Health and Rehab in Cabot won the Arkansas Health Care Association District 1 Queen title, and Patsy Howard from Salem Place Nursing & Rehabilitation in Conway won first runner-up and Miss Congeniality.

Bonnie Kernan from Cabot Health and Rehab won the Arkansas Health Care Association District 1 Queen. Patsy Howard from Salem Place Nursing & Rehabilitation in Conway won first runner-up and Miss Congeniality for her encouraging and sparkling personality. Mary Tucker from Greenbrier Nursing & Rehabilitation was awarded second runner-up. All three were honored with red rose bouquets, trophies and tiaras to celebrate their inner and outer beauty.

Before retiring, Ms. Kernan worked as a beautician and a switchboard operator. She also volunteered at the American Legion. Her hobbies include cross-stitch and crafts, and she enjoys activities and therapy at Cabot Health and Rehab. 

Ms. Kernan will compete in the AHCA State Queen Pageant in Little Rock on Sept. 30. 

Ms. Howard was shocked to be named both first runner-up and Miss Congeniality. She wore a floor-length, plum-colored gown with a sequined bodice and matching earrings. Her friends at Salem Place Nursing & Rehabilitation were cheering her on and were excited to see her bring two trophies home!

Arkansas Health Care Association District 1 Queen Bonnie Kernan from Cabot Health and Rehab in Cabot is seated in front of Lily Burns (from left), Jr. Miss Arkansas State Fair; Ashley Walls, Elite Ms. Arkansas State Fair; Emerson Greene, Miss Arkansas State Fair; and Karen Baker, Senior Ms. Arkansas State Fair.

Ms. Tucker, the second runner-up, wore a floor-length, burgundy gown with lace sleeves and a sequined bodice. Even her wheelchair was “blinged out.” Her friends from Greenbrier Nursing & Rehabilitation were happy that the judges honored her inner and outer beauty at the pageant.

Many area residents who had won individual facility competitions competed. The guest judges included Leo Cummings III, SVP of development at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce; Shawna Burns, CEO of Seed Digging Wellness Center; Beverly Pontius, former Arkansas State Fair Senior Ms. Queen; and Sheila Franklin, Conway Public School District board member. The event was attended by residents, family members, community members and facility staff. 

The AHCA Queen Pageant began as a celebration of National Nursing Home Week in the 1980s. All district pageants are a feeder system: individual facilities hold pageants, and then winners move on to district-wide competitions. Each district covers about 10 counties, and district winners compete in the State Queen Pageant in Little Rock. 

AHCA works to improve the quality of and access to long-term care in Arkansas. Learn more at ARHealthCare.com.