St. John resident and reigning Ms. Virgin Islands Senior America Ina Victoria Lee will represent the territory in the national Ms. Senior America Pageant scheduled to take place from Oct. 5 through 7 at the Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The pageant will feature women from all 50 states and its territories as they vie for the crown in a competition that will include a group number segment; evening wear segment; question and answer segment; personal philosophy segment and talent segment. Contestants will be judged in the categories of speech, personal interview, talent and appearance.

For her talent, Lee will be showcasing her soprano vocals as she performs a medley of "When You Wish Upon a Star," "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" and "Two to Tango."

Lee presently sings in a women's choir at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on St. John. She earned the title of Ms. Senior America Virgin Islands 2009 from her involvement in the Cameo Club who participate every year in the St. John Festival Senior Variety Show.

She says she is very excited to be representing the Virgin Islands in the pageant, and is the first woman from St. John to do so.

"The Senior America Pageant is the world's most exclusive pageant for those who have reached the age of elegancy - after you've passed 60, 62, we figure you've reached the age of elegancy," she said.

Originally from Montclair, N.J., Lee is a retired nurse.

She trained at Beth Israel Hospital before taking a position at D.C. General Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she worked in pediatrics in a clinical setting.

She later left D.C. General to return to Montclair where she worked in the newborn nursery and labor and delivery at St. Vincent's Hospital for 11 years.

Lee moved to St. John in 1971, and took a position as an on call nurse at the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center.

Her shifts were from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., and she was called in to help with some 15 to 20 deliveries in her time at the clinic.

Deliveries, she says, that took place "in the clinic, out the clinic, on the dock."

She even helped Dr. Elizabeth Barot deliver a set of twins while riding on the barge from St. John to St. Thomas 21 years ago.

"At that time, they never really wanted deliveries on St. John, but some times the babies chose their own time," Lee said.

The retired nurse, who has been married to Everette Lee for 55 years, is presently raising funds to cover the cost of her clothing, shoes, transportation and accommodations for the pageant.

So far, she says, St. Johnians have been very generous in helping her make it to the pageant.

Donations are being accepted at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Cruz Bay, St. John at 776-6339.

- Contact reporter Genevieve Ryan at 774-8772 ext. 340 or e-mail gryan@dailynews.vi.