Illustrious Regency International

I am the only girl of six children to Ruby and Earl Holdridge. I lived my formative years in West Texas, moved, and graduated from a small town between Dallas and Houston. I joined the Women’s Army Corps, spent 10 years rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and taught new recruits Medical Laboratory Science. I married a military man and decided to go into civilian life as military dependent, I pursued my education on GI bill. I had gone to 6 different universities while in service. I went on to the last college, legacy Texas A&M.  I had over 300 credit hours and five different concentrations by the time I got my Bachelor’s. I continued to get 2 Master’s: Counseling Psychology and Management Information Systems. I jumped into being a computer Science Engineer in its infancy.

I have one child, Elizabeth. She grew up in Plano and was selected to attend Booker T. Washington Magnet School for the Performing Arts in Dallas. She was honored to participate in the Texas Academy of Math and Science at the University of North Texas. Elizabeth graduated from A&M with her bachelor’s degree and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas Law School in Austin, Texas. She currently practices Criminal Defense Law in the Houston area.

I am an extreme sports enthusiast and have been all my life. Just name a sport and I’ve probably tried it, but usually I’m not a one-and-done kind of gal. I have over 400 skydives, I have spent over 100 hours under water, I go scuba diving every chance I get. I have ridden motorcycles for 43 years, owned a Harley-Davidson for 25 years, and have a Harley-Davidson “Freewheeler”. I snow ski and water ski, and I own both stand-up and sit-down jet skis. I owned fishing boats to ski boats. I am a pilot and own a plane: 1946 Ercoupe with a distinctive H post WWII tail.

I am a devout Christian, and hardly ever miss a Sunday Mass. I’ve turned my life’s skills and those thrills into Community Service. I don’t just do fun runs on my Harley, I do “Fund-Raising Runs”. I sew prayer quilts for “Prayers and Squares” quilting Ministry. I crochet shawls for the Shaw Ministry. I am a Team Leader for the “Love Truck: donations for food pantry and clothing. I am an attendant for the Plano Overnight Warming Station on the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton team. I am looking into doing Angel Flight to fly ill patients to appointments. I belong to my church Women’s Club and participate in other charitable organizations: Heart Association walk, Alzheimer’s Walk, Susan B Komen, Kidney Walk, and Light up the Night. I was on the Meet and Greet team for Spectacular Senior Follies.

In my spare time I assist in pageants: Mock interview, Judging, back stage hand, and volunteering among other duties. I have never participated as a contestant until RIO and never done anything on the stage. This has been a fascinating journey with my gal pal Robin Clark, from walking practice, shopping, countless hours chatting about the phases of competition and optional attire, and texting photos of possible outfits for even the off times and carnival party.