Rancho Mirage’s Holli Kenley Crowned Miss Senior California 2025

ancho Mirage Resident Holli Kenley Named Miss Senior California 2025

For the second year in a row, Rancho Mirage is home to the reigning Miss Senior California. Holli Kenley earned the title for 2025 and was formally recognized at a recent Rancho Mirage City Council meeting, proudly wearing her crown, sash, and evening gown.

“Our pageant is called The Age of Elegance because we represent the dignity, maturity, and inner beauty—not just of senior women, but of all senior Americans,” Kenley explained.

Kenley brings a rich background of service and achievement to the title. She spent years as an educator, being twice named Teacher of the Year in the Desert Sands Unified School District. After earning a master’s degree in psychology, she worked over three decades as a marriage and family therapist and authored 11 books centered on recovery and personal growth.

“This is important to me because I believe that as seniors, sometimes we stop showing up for ourselves—and we have so much to offer,” Kenley said.

She follows in the footsteps of fellow Rancho Mirage resident Liz Palmer, who held the crown in 2024. Kenley attributes the community’s continued success to its active senior population.

“We have a large population of seniors—they’re vibrant, wise, and energetic. We’re part of a culture that wants to showcase that,” she added.

Kenley will go on to represent California in the Miss Senior America pageant this October, with hopes of bringing the national crown home to the Coachella Valley.

NBC Palm Springs reporter Kai Beach shared her story, ending with heartfelt praise: “Beautiful inside and out. Congratulations, Holli.”