Glenda Payton needed

only one word to answer

the judges’ question: What

is it that you are proudest

of?

“Living?” Payton

answered with no hesitation

and a broad smile.

A cheer went up from

those who had gathered for

the 2009 Ms. Troy Health

& Rehabilitation Center

Beauty Pageant Tuesday

night at the facility.

Her quick wit and confident

presence earned

Payton the title of Ms. Troy

Health & Rehabilitation,

and said she was “happy

and overjoyed” to wear the

crown.

The judges said the decision

was a difficult one and

that all of the contestants

were “beautiful winners.”

The contestants were

featured in a parade of

“lovely ladies” and

Chasadie Head told interesting

“tidbits” about each

contestant as she was presented.

Each contestant

was then asked the same

question before the panel

of judges and each responded

with different answers

except to express appreciation

for the many kindnesses

shown to them by

the Center’s staff and the

love expressed to them.

“I love everyone here.

They are all so good to us,”

said Mae Spurlock.

While the judges considered

the task before them,

the contestants and audience

were entertained with

a ballroom dancing exhibition

by Elaine McLeod and

Jim Williams.

When the judges’ decision

was made final, the

title of Miss Congeniality

was awarded to Winifred

Hall. Third runner up to

Ms. Troy Health &

Rehabilitation Center 2009

was Christen Lampley.

Second runner up was Julia

Meeker and first runner up

was Mae Spurlock.

Payton will now represent

Troy Health & Rehab

at the state pageant later in

the summer.

Isabell Boyd said the

Ms. Troy Health &

Rehabilitation Pageant was

an inspiring event for her

and for all the judges.

“It was an honor for me

to serve as a judge for this

pageant, and I really mean

that,” Boyd said. “To see

the glow on the faces of the

contestant stole my heart.

Each one of them seemed

so sincere in their quest for

the title. They were all

dressed to a tee for the

affair.

For them to compete

should be an inspiration to

all of us. They showed us

that they can still get up,

get dressed up and be

involved even if they are

confined to a health care

facility. This pageant was a

wonderful experience for

all of us. I was proud to be

a part of it and congratulate

all of those who participated.”