Former winners of the Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America crown and the current queen recently met in Harrisburg with state Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, an advocate for seniors.

Four former queens, Shirley Karinch, Barbara Ann deLeon, Doris Ulrich, and Willetta Silva, along with the current Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America, Marie E. Tennant, met with their senators to discuss support for senior women across the state. Sen. Piccola, Dauphin County, asked the Senate during an April session to recognize the role and contributions of women involved in Ms. Senior America Inc.Ulrich and deLeon, are co-directors of the state pageant.Also, Piccola recognized Tennant, of Middletown and formerly of Tamaqua, who resides in his district.Tennant received an associate degree in electronic data processing in 1982, and in 1984 moved to the Harrisburg area, working as an information technology technician for 18 years before retiring. After a few months she decided to take on a part-time administrative assistant position for The Bair Foundation, a Christian foster care agency.Besides her current administrative assistant position, she financially supports and volunteers time to various nonprofit organizations and local charities.Ulrich said work is under way on the 2011 state pageant and the organization is searching for contestants. The pageant will be held July 24 in York, Pa.The purpose of Senior America Inc. is to identify and support senior females age 60 or better, who represent elegance, professional accomplishment and are active in their local community. The Pennsylvania winner will represent the state at the national pageant in Atlantic City, N.J. in October.Any woman wishing to enter the state competition should call Ulrich at (717) 926-1322 or send an email to

dulrich@paonline.com. To find out more about Ms. Senior America Inc. visit

www.senioramerica.org.