More than 1,000 seniors gathered at the Viera Voice/Senior Life Hurricane Prep Rally on July 17, where Mrs. Brevard County Colleen Jamieson and Mrs. Viera Ciara Candle distributed hurricane preparedness checklists. The event, held at the Viera Senior Center, focused on disaster readiness for older residents. Jamieson, who was crowned Mrs. Brevard County by the Brevard Regional Pageant, said she was surprised by the turnout. 'There were a lot of people,' she said. 'I was so surprised!'
Jamieson and Candle, both pageant winners, used their appearance to highlight social issues. Jamieson has worked with children battling cancer and pointed out that only 4% of federal funding goes to pediatric cancer research. 'I work with a lot of children who are battling cancer,' she said. 'Out of the federal funding, there’s only 4% that goes to pediatric cancer.'
The two women met with local leaders and community members during the event. They also met Elaine Terranova, who was crowned Ms. Florida Senior in 2008. Terranova, now 82, said she was impressed by the focus on both disaster preparedness and health advocacy. 'It’s important to address multiple issues at once,' she said. 'Seniors need to be ready for emergencies, but they also need support for chronic illnesses.'
Candle, who handed out checklists to attendees, said the event was a chance to combine pageantry with community service. 'We’re not just about looks,' she said. 'We’re about making a difference.' The Brevard Regional Pageant, which crowns titles like Mrs. Viera and Mrs. Brevard County, has emphasized community impact in recent years. Pageant organizers said the event aligns with their mission to use their platforms for social good.