ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- The stars will come out Thursday night at the Robertsdale HealthCare Center.

“The Stars Come Out” is the theme for the HealthCare Center’s annual Nursing Home Pageant, which is set to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at the HealthCare Center, located on U.S. Highway 90 in Robertsdale.

Five contestants will vie for the title of Ms. Robertsdale HealthCare Center on Thursday with a chance to compete for the title of Ms. Alabama Nursing Home Monday, July 23 at The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover.

“Every year our winner is eligible to compete for the title of Ms. Alabama Nursing Home, but so far we haven’t sent a contestant to Birmingham, mostly by the choice of the resident,” said Kay Boley, activity director for the Robertsdale HealthCare Center. “This year we’re hoping that one of these ladies will choose to compete for the title of Ms. Alabama Nursing Home.”

Last year, Felma Schrimshire, 100, a resident of Andalusia Manor in Andalusia, was selected from among 75 contestants for the title of Ms. Alabama Nursing Home.

The winner of this year’s pageant will once again travel to various nursing homes and community events to share her experiences. She will also serve as an ambassador for nursing home residents at several Alabama Nursing Home Association events.

This year’s contestants from Robertsdale HealthCare Center are Jane Bickel, Vivian Therrell, Barbara Hughen, Lanette Williams and Emily Hough.

Contestants will each be asked to answer three questions and will be judged on their ability to speak, poise and composure, quality of interview and attitude towards life.

They will also be judged on their overall personality, expressiveness, attitude and poise/appearance, Boley said.

Judges for Thursday’s competition will be Joyce Steele, wife of local family practitioner Dr. Joseph Steele; the Rev. Willie Smith with Antioch Baptist Church in Atmore who serves as chaplain for Covenant Hospice; and Sylvia Mattingly, owner of Century 21 Real Estate in Robertsdale and an active member of both the Central Baldwin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Robertsdale Rotary Club.