MS UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS 2020
LAUREN MONAHAN

CONGRATULATIONS to LAUREN MONAHAN, Ms U.S. Virgin Islands Senior America 2020!

Lauren Monahan was raised in a military family stationed in many locations around the world. She was raised and had a career in Parks & Recreation Administration in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Knoxville, TN. Having attended high school in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she became a part of the Caribbean culture. Having lived in San Juan, she was a frequent visitor to the Virgin Islands.

Lauren recently retired as the Director of the Knox County Senior Citizens Center in Tennessee and is a steadfast advocate of senior rights and issues. She has worked for the Knox County mayor’s office on this behalf, and has received former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s Award of Appreciation as well as Governor Bill Haslam for her work with seniors. In 2016, she was honored at a session of the state House of Representatives and Governor Bill Haslam for her work with seniors.

Lauren served as an officer in the U. S. Coast Guard, a legacy passed on by her father, Commander James Scott. She is a private pilot, pianist and singer. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Lauren earned scholarships in volleyball and basketball, and graduated Cum Laude.

She continued her athletic ability and love of football by becoming one of the original Miami Dolphin Doll Cheerleaders, under the tutelage of June Taylor. Having been married to a golf professional, she was fortunate enough to have had company with the greats, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Kite, Sam Snead and more. Her career led her to events and festival planning, and working with seniors in Florida & Tennessee. She was a member of the Federal Express Orange Bowl Festival Committee in Miami for many years, and was honored to be the Orange Bowl Queen in her teens.

As part of the Broward County, Fl, Parks Advisory Board, Lauren helped bring in 22 new parks, greenways and events to the South Florida area. She was on the steering committee for the inaugural Christmas Boat Parade which was begun in the early 70’s, Super Bowl festivities and more. As part of the Ft. Lauderdale Beach preservation foundation, she assisted with legislation for the preservation of turtles and animal safety, which was brought to the Florida House and passed.

She studied piano and voice at the Pablo Casals Conservatory of Music in Puerto Rico. Her vocal career includes entertaining for the USO, being a member of the Florida Choral Society, and singing backup vocals for Michael Crawford during his solo tour after his “Phantom of the Opera” days.

After losing her first husband to heart disease at a young age, she became very involved in her work, sports, flying and being with family. But when one door closes, another opens. After attending her 35th high school reunion in Puerto Rico, she met up with the once captain of the football team. A year later, they were married, and have now enjoyed 20 years together. Buz is a retired Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.