THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603010187
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
For more than 20 years, Flo Kendall has coordinated pageants for girls from 6 to 60-plus.
But it took a lifetime for this Brighton resident to covet her own rhinestone tiara and flowing sash.
``I did not anticipate ever being a contestant,'' said Kendall, who just completed a yearlong reign as Ms. Senior Portsmouth. ``I just wanted to enter people in them.''
As the local sponsor of the Ms. Senior Virginia Pageant, Kendall is probably best known for her efforts at recruiting older women to become contestants. The pageant is open to women 60 and older.
Kendall, who retired six years ago from the city's Parks and Recreation department, is now a familiar face at meetings where the elderly often gather: senior citizen centers, churches and club meetings.
Typical of most pageants, contestants are judged in an evening gown competition, a five-minute interview and a three-minute display of talent. They are also allowed 35 seconds to describe their ``philosophy of life.''
Though she did not win the state title, Kendall was a finalist in the competition held last year in Fairfax.
``In that pageant, they thought I had one of the best philosophies of life,'' she said. ``It's built around dreaming and if you dare to dream, your dreams will come true.''
Kendall enjoys her work with pageants so much that she talked her 85-year-old mother into competing in a pageant in her home state of North Carolina.
``She did a monologue and she sang one verse of a song, and do you know what? In 1994, she became a runner-up in her state pageant, and last year she was Ms. Senior North Carolina 1995. . .
``She got further than I did!''
Ironically, Kendall had absolutely no interest in beauty pageants as a child.
``I was a tomboy,'' she said.
Name: Florence DeBose Kendall.
Nickname: Flo.
Neighborhood: Brighton.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 43.
Birthplace: Concord, N.C.
Birthday: May 5.
Occupation: Retired, Parks and Recreation, City of Portsmouth.
What job other than your own would you like? Travel consultant.
Marital status: Single.
Children: Ramon II, Valerie and Jacqueline.
Grandchildren: Kendra, 20; Ramon IV, 15; and Dante, 14.
Fondest childhood memory: May Day celebrations - maypole wrapping.
First concert: Gospel concert, 1954, Norfolk.
What song or book title best describes your life? Song: ``Wind Beneath My Wings;'' Book: ``Gifted Hands - The Ben Carson Story.''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? A 30-day trip around the world.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Oprah Winfrey - to experience the celebrity lifestyle and the life of a talk show host.
Most recent accomplishment: Assignment as state director for North Carolina Senior America Pageant and working with the National Senior America Pageant.
Biggest accomplishment: Development of annual scholarship for sickle cell anemia clients to continue their college education.
Most embarrassing moment: Surprise birthday celebration.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Read more; write less.
Perfect way to spend the day: Relaxing with friends or traveling.
I can't resist: Traveling.
Favorite restaurant: Red Lobster.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Church, any special program.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Drugs, crime, unemployment, race relations.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Development of downtown Portsmouth and MidCity Shopping Center.
Larger senior center with more senior benefits.
Black History one week each month to highlight local historians.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Genuine friendships. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Flo Kendall
by CNB