Meet a Kelowna woman vying to be Miss Senior World

When most people think of retirement, taking up golf, gardening, or macramé often come to mind.

But Kelowna’s Laura Draycott wanted something a little more challenging.

Recently putting her time as a licenced optician at Wink I Wear behind her, and after a bountiful winter skiing at Big White, Draycott was scouring the internet looking for something to fill her free time.

She stumbled upon a unique opportunity – the Miss Senior World pageant, exclusively for women aged 50 to 79.

“I did some modelling in my youth and really had fun doing it. And I thought maybe at my age I can get back into that,” Draycott told Toby from 103.1 Beach Radio.

Draycott applied online and was promptly accepted to represent all of Canada in the competition.

The pageant works to give mature women an outlet to share platform issues that are important to them with the other delegates and with the world.

Delegates compete in four categories: an interview, active wear, Runway fashion, and evening wear. The competition takes place in Biloxi, Mississippi in October. Draycott is competing in the 50 to 59 year old category.

To others on the verge of retirement or younger women dreading getting older, Draycott had a simple message: “Keep saying yes.”

“Keep being uncomfortable and keep having new experiences. And that’s part of why I am doing this pageant as well is that it makes me uncomfortable. But happily, uncomfortable,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of getting old. I’m 59 and I’m looking forward to my 60s and my fifth decade was my best decade ever. Say yes to aging and do it fearlessly.”

Follow Laura’s journey online @laurainkelowna.