Royal Spotlight: Ms. Senior USA 2018 Sara Jo Burks

The Royal Spotlight is an interview series where I highlight queens from a variety of pageant systems. This month I have the pleasure of featuring Ms. Senior USA 2018 Sara Jo Burks. If you don’t know already, she can also be seen on the cover of the Fall 2018 edition of Pageantry Magazine.

Tell us about yourself.

I have worked at Troy University in Housing & Residence Life for 30 years. I co-direct the Miss Troy University Pageant, Miss Teen Trojan Pageant, and the Ms. Venus Pageant. I previously worked with the Miss Troy Peanut Preliminary Pageant. I am married to retired State Trooper Sgt Larry G. Burks, and I have one daughter and one step-daughter and a 7 year old grandson and wonderful son-in-law. I enjoy helping young ladies of all ages prepare for pageants and have the opportunity to further their education by earning scholarship money.

When did you start competing in pageants?

I entered my first senior pageant when I turned 60 in 2014.

Why do you compete in pageants?

Through my experiences I hope to be able to prepare the young ladies that I work with for their competitions by sharing how I handled interviews, talent, etc. It is also a great way to be able to talk with both young people and senior citizens through my platforms- GOAL (Get Out And Live) and “From Hand-Me-Downs to Evening Gowns.” I love young people, and I know what it’s like to come from humble beginnings and not have a lot of life advantages. I want to encourage them to not give up and keep trying. I believe that God knows the desires of our hearts and in His timing, when we serve Him, He will give us more than we can every hope or dream for.

How many titles have you won?

To date, I have won 6 titles.

Ms. Senior Pike County 2014

Ms. Senior Shelby County 2015

Ms. Senior Heart of Dixie 2016

Ms. Senior Troy 2017

Ms. Senior Alabama USA 2017

Ms. Senior USA 2018

Tell us about the Ms. Senior USA Pageant system.

The Senior USA/Universe Pageant system honors and celebrates the lives and accomplishments of women over 60. The pageant system encourages women as they approach 60 to embrace who they are and to understand that age does not limit what they can become and what they have to offer the world. This program seeks to recognize senior ladies for their accomplishments in life and to recognize they still have so much to offer. The pageant competition consists of Interview, Evening Gown, Philosophy of Life, and Talent Presentation. It is so much fun meeting all the ladies from all the states and seeing what they are involved with in their communities and states. It is truly inspiring. To learn more about the pageant, please visit http://www.msseniorusa.org/.

How do you prepare for competition?

I prepare by practicing my talent so that it can be presented to the best of my ability and practicing my philosophy of life and reading my biography over so that I can think about each portion and what a judge might find interesting and what they might possibly ask me about. I also watch the news to learn what are currently hot topics in the news around the world.

What would you say to women who have always had a desire to compete in a pageant, but they feel it is too late for them because of age?

Go for it! Don’t let fear stop you from having the time of your life. It’s your turn now. You have raised your family, served your community, or managed a career. Now it’s time for you to go for your dreams. Step out and challenge yourself to be the best you can be. You will meet the most wonderful women and share such a fun experience, and I would say call me and let me tell you my story. I competed 4 times before I won a state title, but I never gave up. If I had given up at any time I would not hold the title of Ms. Senior USA 2018. I now have the opportunity to touch lives not just in my state but in all states. You can do this. I’ll be glad to talk to you about my experience, and I hope I can give you that little extra assurance that you will need. You will not regret this decision to participate, but you will regret not taking advantage of this opportunity.

What are your future plans for your pageant career?

I will represent the USA in the Ms. Senior Universe Pageant on October 29-November 3, 2018 in Las Vegas. Wish me luck! After I finish competing then I hope to continue to work with this pageant system as a volunteer in order to give back just as those that have helped me on my pageant journey.

What words of advice do you live by?

It’s never too late, and you are not too old to pursue your dreams. Don’t let fear keep you from realizing your dreams.

Please provide your contact information so that others can reach out to you.

I would love to share my story and I may be reached by email at sburks@troy.edu and my work number is 334-670-3451. I hope to hear from you!