Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • WINTER 2016 • PAN PIPES 13 D E I J K O P T U X Y Z Deborah Miller, an SAI initiate of the Beta Xi Chapter at the University of Texas, was crowned Ms. Transatlantic Senior Talent 2016 at the joint Senior America/Senior United Kingdom pageant, held at Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City on October 22, 2015. She entered the Ms. Senior America pageant as Ms. New Mexico Senior America 2015 and was named 2 nd -runner- up in the Senior America portion of the event. Mrs. Miller, a lyric soprano, performed "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" from Puccini's opera La Rondine and was awarded the top Talent Award from among thirteen finalists from the United States and the United Kingdom. e pageant is sponsored by Senior America, Inc., a non-profit corporation dedicated to enri- ching the lives of seniors and others. Its Mission Statement, shared on the organization's website: "e Ms. Senior America Pageant is the world's first and foremost pageant to emphasize and give honor to women who have reached the 'Age of Elegance.' It is a search for the gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. e Ms. Senior America philosophy is based upon the belief that seniors are the foundation of America, and our most valuable treasure. It is upon their knowl- edge, experience and resources that the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society." A friend introduced Deborah to Senior America, Inc. and the pageant idea in 2012. Upon researching the opportunity, she was thrilled to find a new niche that encouraged continued activity for seniors, who "have more to dream about and accomplish in their lives." Her pageant platform focuses on senior fitness, and she firmly believes "an active lifestyle is the key to aging well, beautifully, and with good health. is includes getting regular exercise and being involved in a lot of activities, with seniors and people of all ages." She understands first hand how transforma- tive an active lifestyle can be, as her fitness regi- men has helped her be successful with her own weight loss and chronic knee problems. Deborah has a prolific musical resumé, hav- ing sung sixteen lead opera roles with various companies, including a world premiere as Pha- edra in Hippolytus by Joseph Summer, conducted by James Meena, with Contemporary Opera of America. Sacred music, barbershop, and Broad- way music have also appeared in her varied reper- toire. She was chosen to perform a series of good- will concerts in the Caribbean and has won prizes in seven international singing competitions. Deborah also plays violin and recently conducted the pit orchestras for the musicals Seussical and Godspell. She professionally recorded an album called "Songs for My Father" in honor of her fa- ther's 90th birthday. Her other interests include teaching voice and piano, participating in Jazzercise, playing soball, riding horses, gardening, and traveling abroad. Deborah's volunteer work includes supporting Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs, Feed the Homeless, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Reading Rug, Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAF- SW), BuildOn.org, and many church initiatives. A current resident of Virginia, Deborah's upcoming projects include performing recitals and showcases at Senior Centers with the state's pageant circuit to share her message and recruit for the organization. She is also in the beginning stages of a collaborative project with Washington, D.C. based organist Lon Schreiber to record new arrangements of beloved hymns. Beta Xi Initiate Wins Top Pageant Honor FOR MORE INFORMATION about Senior America, Inc., visit senioramerica.org SAIS IN ACTION Deborah Miller was named Ms. Transatlantic Senior Talent 2016 at the Senior America/Senior United Kingdom pageant in October.

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