It’s that time of year again. No, we don’t mean tax time, or annual spring cleaning, or checking out the cherry blossoms. It’s time to get those applications together for the 2006 Ms. Senior District of Columbia Pageant — a beauty contest for those ladies who have reached “the age of elegance.” Our 2005 Ms. Senior DC, Sandra Bears (pictured right), will pass on her tiara and sash at this year’s Pageant, scheduled for June 25, and the D.C. Office on Aging has put out a release to let all local ladies over the age of 60 know that applications are due by April 30.

Do you know any sassy seniors who might stand a shot at winning the coveted crown? Sadly, there’s no swimsuit competition in this pageant, but contestants will be asked to compete in four categories: a personal interview with the judges, a recitation of their philosophy of life, a talent and an evening gown segment. The winner will be crowned Ms. Senior D.C., and will then go on to represent the District at the Ms. Senior America Pageant, held over six days in November at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Because clearly, there’s nothing classy older women love more than stumbling across the worn-out carpet in Tequila Joe’s for another Mai Tai at the only discount hotel located right on the Las Vegas Strip.

In all seriousness, the Ms. Senior America organization does seem to be devoted to promoting the idea that older ladies are intelligent and desirable, a notion any man or woman ought to be able to get behind. Any of our readers know anyone who has ever participated, or think they might like to suggest a woman they know should compete? Discuss it in the comments.