Sammamish woman crowned Mrs. Washington
July 2, 2008
By Kendra Abernathy
There were 23 women competing for the title of Mrs. Washington 2008, but in the end, Sammamish’s Marikay Coyer came home with the prize.
“I was absolutely in shock when I was chosen,” Coyer said. “As they say it’s 90 percent preparation and 10 percent luck.”
The 2008 Mrs. Washington pageant, held June 21, was Coyer’s second time competing for the Mrs. Washington title.
“I think what makes Marikay a great Mrs. Washington is, first, her perseverance to succeed,” Mrs.
Washington pageant director and producer Pam Curnel said. “She’s articulate, intelligent, beautiful and she can do it all. She’s a mother, wife and businesswoman.”
According to Mrs. Washington pageant director and producer Pam Curnel, the Mrs. Washington pageant showcases the accomplishments of today’s married women and shows others how women can make a difference in their communities and our nation.
The Mrs. Washington pageant is different from other pageants in that participants don’t have to qualify at a preliminary pageant and there is no talent portion. Participants are judged in three categories: interview, swimsuit and evening gown.
This pageant also differs in that husbands are also involved in the pageant proceedings. Husbands are involved by walking their wives out on stage for the evening gown portion and the winner’s husband has opportunity to crown his wife if she wins.
“It’s very nerve wracking watching your wife being judged by other people,” Coyer’s husband, Joe Fithian, said.
Besides working as a financial sales development consultant with Allstate Insurance, raising two children and being a wife, Coyer dedicates her free time to community involvement. Coyer is involved with Habitat for Humanity, Joey Cora Children’s Foundation, Big Brothers & Sisters of King County and several other organizations.
As Mrs. Washington, Coyer will also promote her platform, “Empowering Women,” which encourages those who face adversity in their lives to recognize that they can achieve goals, dreams and ambitions.
Coyer hopes to be a role model who shows women they can overcome challenges in their lives, she wrote in her entrance letter for the Mrs. Washington pageant.
With her victory, Coyer will be representing Washington at the Mrs. America pageant in Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 2.
“Her strength is her age, which will set her apart from the others and she looks great,” Curnel said. “I think she will do well at Mrs. America because of her confidence in all her great assets.”
According to the Mrs. American Web site, the winner of the pageant will receive cash, prizes and endless opportunities. For the entire year Mrs. America will act as the ambassador and spokesperson for America’s married women.
“I feel that it is an extreme privilege to represent the state going to nationals,” Coyer explained. “I will be competing against 50 other women and would like to do the best I can.”
Intern Kendra Abernathy can be reached at samrev@isspress.com.
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