Photos: Senior pageant

Ms. Senior Pasadena Syni Champion, left, hands Sandra Miller-Erkus, 79, of Granada Hills a trophy during the pageant.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Contestants hold hands and pray together before the pageant.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Lea London, center, 68, of Marina del Rey and other contestants perform.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Gayla Kalp Jackson, a family therapist, gave a moving monologue on the origin of the military bugle call “Taps.”   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Contestants give a kick backstage before the pageant.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Contestants rehearse for the pageant.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Contestants hold hands before the pageant. No one was nervous -- or at least they said they weren’t. And there was no talk of rivalries or bad blood among contestants.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Aynne Louise, left, 73, of Huntington Beach, Myrna Motzer, 77, center, of Fountain Valley and Lea London rehearse in the dressing room.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Mary Nelson, center, 75, of Apple Valley puts on her earrings in the dressing room.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Stewart, 67, of Studio City checks her hair and makeup before going onstage.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Gail Stebbins, left, 73, of Oceanside beams while getting ready.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Mary Nelson, left, and Myrna Motzer talk in the dressing room before the pageant.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Aynne Louise applies some finishing touches before going onstage.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)