The winner of the 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant tap danced her way into the hearts and minds of the audience and pageant judges.
Sharon Kay Burdt wowed the audience with her dancing prowess. The 81-year-old from Swartz Creek was shocked when her name was announced as the winner.
βIt totally caught me by surprise,β she said.
The annual competition took place July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills.
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
Christallin Johnson-Smith was named as the first runner-up at the 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
Sharon Kay Burdt, 81, of Swartz Creek, was crowned as the 2024 Ms. Senior Michigan during the annual pageant, held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
Sharon Kay Burdt, 81, of Swartz Creek, was named the 2024 Ms. Senior Michigan during the annual pageant, held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
Sharon Kay Burdt, 81, of Swartz Creek, was named the 2024 Ms. Senior Michigan during the annual pageant, held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
Sharon Kay Burdt, 81, of Swartz Creek, was named the 2024 Ms. Senior Michigan during the annual pageant, held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
Ten finalists competed in the 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant on July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
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The 37th annual Ms. Senior Michigan Pageant was held July 24 at the OPC Social & Activity Center in Rochester Hills. (Dean Potter β For MediaNews Group)
Shari, as she prefers to be called, has been an educator for more than five decades. She has developed reading programs for low-income students, wrote and directed student theater productions, and worked with Disney. She was awarded the Community Hero Award, Innovation Award and Excellence in Education Award for βputting students first.β She was Woman of the Year three times, is president and founder of the Windmill Womenβs Circle, and volunteers with her local veterans organizations. She started dancing at 3, had talent bookings at 8 and danced on Ted Mackβs TV show at age 15.
Christallin Johnson-Smith was selected as the first runner-up. During the talent portion of the pageant, she spoke about goal setting. She is a minister at One Community Church in Farmington Hills. She started her college studies at 33 and earned her bachelorβs degree in psychology and a masterβs degree in pastoral counseling.
Judges selected Heidi Coffman of Huntington Woods as the second runner-up. She loves numbers almost as much as she loves music and performing. She graduated magna cum laude from Walsh College in accounting. After college, she worked for Arthur Anderson & Co. as a CPA, transitioning to self-employment after her first child. She received the Accounting Aid Society Volunteer in Partnership Award, working with numerous nonprofit organizations and serving on many charity boards and committees. Beginning at age 58, she has performed in many theatrical shows and is pursuing a music degree as she loves performing. During the pageant, she sang βDonβt Rain on My Parade,β which was made famous by Barbara Streisand.
The three winners were selected from a total of 10 contestants. The competition drew participants from Detroit, Farmington Hills, Harrison Township, Huntington Woods, Rochester Hills, Southfield and Schwartz Creek. The competition celebrates all women 60 years and older. It is a search for that special, gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all our Michigan senior women, organizers said.
For more information on becoming a contestant, visit msseniormichigan.org or contact Toni Sanchez-Murphy, Ms. Senior Michigan board president, at 248-420-9857 or tonism24@yahoo.com.