PORT ANGELES — This time, she was prepared.
Cherie Kidd, a Port Angeles native who finished as the first runner-up in the Ms Senior World Pageant last year, knew what to expect. When the former mayor walked onto the stage in Biloxi, Miss., for the final time last month, she was crowned the winner of the 70s age category, the most experienced of three divisions.
“We’re kind of trailblazers,” said Kidd, 78. “Your age no longer defines you. It’s your energy, your passion, your goals.
“The later, the greater,” she added. “Our age gives us wisdom. It gives us the advantage of experience, and that’s our power.”
Kidd, who has traveled for similar competitions, met women from across the country and throughout the world. One requirement was community service, one of her strengths.
As the lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis club this year, she works with different clubs and organizations on their service projects. She also focuses on veterans.
“I like to serve them year-round and not just Veterans Day,” she said.
One program is called Honor Flight, where veterans are flown to Washington, D.C., to observe the nation’s memorials.
Just as important, Kidd said, “We give them the big welcome home that they didn’t get when they came back from Vietnam or Korea.”
She also works with the Daughters of the American Revolution Michael Trebert chapter, which, among other events, will participate Dec. 14 in the Wreaths Across America program. At 9 a.m. that day, they will honor veterans with an hour-long ceremony at the cemetery at Mount Angeles Memorial Park.
Thousands of wreaths will be laid at cemetery plots that day across Clallam County, she said.
Kidd recently served breakfast at the VFW post in Sequim, an activity that takes place every Sunday and rotates with different groups of volunteers.
“The environment and atmosphere is so welcoming,” she said. “It’s so uplifting, heartwarming and bright.”
In Mississippi, the weeklong pageant that concluded Nov. 23 involved appearances, rehearsals, interviews and more at the Biloxi Civic Center.
“You’re meeting women from everywhere who are just so amazing, who have accomplished so much,” Kidd said. “Attorneys, doctors, authors, business owners. They’re at the height of their career, and they inspire me.”
Prior to the pageant that Saturday night, Kidd won titles for best interview and best evening gown. And she used her experience from last year to stay focused for the top prize, when she was crowned Ms Senior World.
“It was a wonderful event,” she said. “I felt very comfortable this time because I was so prepared.
“This organization is women supporting women, and it’s teaching women of all ages that you don’t have a stopping point, that age doesn’t define you. We all have so much to give.
“We’re breaking the stereotype,” Kidd continued. “This time of our life is incredible. The rest of our lives should be the best of our lives.”
Last year, Kidd was invited to model at New York Fashion Week in New York City and was featured on a billboard in Times Square. She’s since been in four fashion magazines — two covers.
“Everyone else is like 20-something, and I’m not,” she said. “That’s fine. This is life now.”
Kidd works hard in the gym six days a week, either in a jazzercize class or at Fitness West, she said.
“I spent time physically, mentally working on this,” she said. “I just made sure this time I was ready, make no mistakes. I was focused.”
Kidd said one of the best parts about the experience was telling everyone where she’s from.
“I tell everyone I’m from Port Angeles, Washington, I’m just really proud of it,” she said.
“Just enjoying being a hometown girl, bringing some of the sparkle to Port Angeles and the spotlight to Port Angeles. I love that.”
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Editor Brian McLean can be reached at 360-417-3531 or by email at brian.mclean@peninsuladailynews.com.
Cherie Kidd of Port Angeles, center, said preparation was key in winning the 70s age division of the Ms Senior World Pageant on Nov. 23 in Biloxi, Miss. (Holli Hobbs Photography)
