Hollister woman in Mrs. Senior America pageant finals
La Bamba blasts from the speakers of a portable stereo and
Fannie Curro’s feet start to move on the small dance floor in the
Tennis Center at Ridgemark.
Hollister woman in Mrs. Senior America pageant finals
La Bamba blasts from the speakers of a portable stereo and Fannie Curro’s feet start to move on the small dance floor in the Tennis Center at Ridgemark.
Her hips rotate and her body spins while she sways to the groove. Dressed in a bright red top and a silky black, see-through skirt, Curro’s arms flow around her, she commands the room. All the while stretched across Curro’s face is an ear-to-ear smile.
Curro, who turned 70 in September, is practicing for the talent competition in the upcoming Mrs. Senior California State Pageant at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California on Oct. 19.
Behind Curro a group of friends watch. The shout out suggestions, and one woman catches it all on a video camera. They are serious; she is going for the gold.
“I still want to critique myself,” says Curro, who will use the video to polish up her routine before the Oct. 19 pageant.
“I think it’s great, it would be fabulous if she won,” says Curro’s friend Bonnie Cornaggia.
“I love to dance but I’m not a show person,” admits Cornaggia.
Performing a dance in the pageant was an easy choice for Curro. She has been dancing since she was 12 years old.
“I love Latin music,” says Curro, bubbling with energy. “I grew up in New York, dancing to Latin music.”
Curro remembers dancing every Sunday with a friend at Casa Gallicia club in New York.
“Back then it was different,” recalls Curro. “In those days two girls would together and a boy would tap your shoulder and ask you to dance.”
In addition to the talent portion of the competition, contestants will be judged on formal attire, a personal interview and philosophy of life.
If Curro’s approach to the pageant is any indication of her life philosophy, it might be argued that she’s already won the last category.
“I’m thrilled,” says Curro, who raised nine children, “this is the culmination of a lifetime of wonderful challenges.”
