"They say a woman who will tell her age and weight will tell anything. I won't tell my weight, but I am 71," VanVacter said.

Contestants are judged on an interview, an evening gown competition, "inner beauty" and talent. A member of the Kenai Peninsula Choir, VanVacter will be singing at the national contest. She also sang with the Kenai Peninsula Choir as part of the international performance of Mozart's Requiem in each time zone at 8:46 a.m. on Sept. 11.

Honored and humbled by her title, she said she hopes "to represent Alaska with dignity and grace and Alaskan spunk."

VanVacter moved to Homer in 2000 with her daughter, Veronica Hill, to work as summer temporary nurses at South Peninsula Hospital. She wound up staying with her daughter and two grandsons, Wyatt and Houston. A licensed practical nurse, VanVacter is working on her registered nurse degree through the Kachemak Bay Branch, Kenai Peninsula College. Ms. Senior Alaska seeks sponsors to help cover the costs of attending the national competition. Contact Lorraine Haas at 235-5693.