Sikeston nursing home resident wins Ms. Missouri title

Audrey Holbrook of Hunter Acres, a nursing home in Sikeston, Mo., won the title of Ms. Missouri from among 10 contestants vying for the crown this year. The 2008 Ms. Nursing Home pageant contestants were from area nursing homes including Heartland Care and Rehab in Cape Girardeau, Sikeston Convalescent Care and those in the surrounding area.

The 10 judges included staff from the Area Agency on Aging, area nursing homes, the Missouri Health Care Association, a doctor, public administrator and an ombudsman who rated the contestants on a scale of one to 10 in nine categories. Categories included active participation at their nursing facility, spryness in relation to age, physical appearance, attitude and their smile. Personal interviews were conducted and held values of one to 50 points, focusing on personality, charm and ability to communicate.

At 88, Holbrook enjoys cooking, playing bingo, sing-alongs, glamour hour and story hour at Hunter Acres.

On her application Holbrook listed the major highpoint in her life as getting her pin and cap and graduating from nursing school. She worked as a nurse for 11 years.

"She went back to school at age 50 to better herself," said Sandy Clark, activity director at Hunter Acres. "This accomplishment and the family support she received -- all four children attended the pageant -- are reasons I thought she won the title."

Holbrook was born May 29, 1920, in Steele, Mo. She and her husband, Harry, were married 60 years. Besides her four children, Holbrook has 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The pageant was sponsored by the Missouri Health Care Association, which represents more than 300 facilities statewide and is a trade association for nursing and residential care facilities in Missouri.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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