CON TE PARTIRO - TIME TO SAY GOODBYE


 professional photo, courtesy Carolyn Slade Harden

Never for this QUEEN!  The year of her reign may be ending for Carolyn Slade Harden, MS SENIOR AMERICA 2017, but by no means is she going away.  Her national title will continue to be cherished and honored by the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT organization, and her "sisters" of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB.

Since its beginning in the 1980's the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT has produced 3 National QUEENS; Laverne Stokes/MSSA'85, deceased, Jan Dickenson/MSSA'86, deceased, and Dr. Sandra Greco, M.D./MSSA'03.  Then, after many years, Carolyn Slade Harden/MSSA'17 made the 4th win for the Garden State.

QUEEN Carolyn had a very busy year, which included appearances on radio and television throughout the State and across the country.  Thanks to a generous award from the National Senior Alumnae Association (NSAA), she made guest appearances at many MS SENIOR AMERICA STATE Pageants.

photo courtesy Mark Meade
Carolyn gave her first farewell speech, as State QUEEN at the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA STATE PAGEANT 2018 last June.  Afterwards, she crowned the winner, Suzie Neustadter, MSNJSA 2018.

 photo, unknown
In July, QUEEN Carolyn, along with an entourage, attended the MS NEW YORK SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2018.  She sang one of her signature songs, and crowned the new Queen.  Afterwards, Carolyn was honored at the Ball with gifts of appreciation from her New York Came Club "sisters".

 photo, courtesy NATIONAL QUEEN Carolyn Slade Harden'18
The last Pageant she attended was in August, when she was the invited guest at the MS FLORIDA SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2018.

In a monarchy, queens (and kings) rule their kingdoms for a lifetime, whereas pageant queens (and kings) may reign for only one year.  However, both royalties share the same characteristics and have similar duties: to be a fair, compassionate and benevolent leader, and to always keep the best interests of their constituents in mind.  QUEEN Carolyn has been such a leader, and, as MS SENIOR AMERICA 2017, she leaves behind a legacy of service, has successfully promoted the positive aspects on aging, and is a wonderful model for future queens to follow.

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