Community

Mr. & Ms. Senior Miami Lakes contest

Community By Alexandra Herrera, Reporter Friday, September 15, 2023

Contestant Rosa Nell Hammer, 103, presents information about cultivating orchids. Hammer is a champion orchid grower who has a gold and yellow striped Cattleya orchid named for her.

Contestant Rosa Nell Hammer, 103, presents information about cultivating orchids. Hammer is a champion orchid grower who has a gold and yellow striped Cattleya orchid named for her.

Richard and Mary Suarez bow following their dance performance at the contest while Miami-Dade County District 13 Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia, who also volunteered as a judge, applauds.

Richard and Mary Suarez bow following their dance performance at the contest while Miami-Dade County District 13 Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia, who also volunteered as a judge, applauds.

From left: Judge Maria Garcia; contestants Dave Oliver and Rosa Nell Hammer; Councilman Ray Garcia; contestants Mary and Richard Suarez; judge René Garcia; contestant Maria Victoria Curbelo; judge and Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano and judge Fred Senra.

From left: Judge Maria Garcia; contestants Dave Oliver and Rosa Nell Hammer; Councilman Ray Garcia; contestants Mary and Richard Suarez; judge René Garcia; contestant Maria Victoria Curbelo; judge and Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano and judge Fred Senra.

Contestant Maria Victoria Curbelo showed off her modeling skills during the contest and displayed her paintings, which can be seen on the left side of the photo.

Contestant Maria Victoria Curbelo showed off her modeling skills during the contest and displayed her paintings, which can be seen on the left side of the photo.

Contestant Dave Oliver performed “Sixteen Tons” by Merle Travis. The song has been covered by Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Stevie Wonder, among other music stars.

Contestant Dave Oliver performed “Sixteen Tons” by Merle Travis. The song has been covered by Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Stevie Wonder, among other music stars.

The Town of Miami Lakes Elderly Affairs Committee attracted a lot of talent for its second annual Mr./Ms. Senior Miami Lakes contest.

Richard and Mary Suarez took home crowns and cash prizes for their performance of a Colombian dance while wearing folkloric costumes.

The contest – when town elders show off their special skills -- drew a large crowd to the Miami Lakes Hotel on Main on Aug. 26.

This year’s five competitors modeled and displayed paintings; they sang and danced and even described how to cultivate orchids.

The event was sponsored by Miami Lakes AutoMall; The Graham Companies; Chen Senior Medical Center; Catholic Hospice; Amavita Heart and Vascular Health and the office of Miami-Dade County District 13 Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia, who also volunteered as a judge.

Photos courtesy of Tico Casamayor.

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