Local women win awards

MOSES LAKE - Mrs. Moses Lake 2008 Natalie Lybbert, 28, placed second runner-up at the Mrs. Washington pageant at Moses Lake High School Saturday night.

Twenty-three women from across the state competed for the title, which is a preliminary pageant to the Mrs. America and Mrs. World pageants.

Mrs. Sammamish 2008 Marikay Coyer, 49, won the state title.

She said she plans to use the title to speak to other women about fulfilling their hopes at any age. First place runner-up went to Mrs. Issaquah 2008 Lisa Quast and Mrs. Pierce County 2008 Carla Richards won third place runner-up.

Mrs. Bellingham 2008 Laura Hunter won the photogenic category.

The community service award was given to Mrs. Kalama 2008 Julia Johnson and Coyer.

The volunteerism award was given to rs. Camano Island Julie Rzechula and Mrs. Tacoma 2008 Audrey Scott.

Quast and Mrs. Columbia Basin 2008 Tamara Qualls were awarded the outstanding businesswoman award.

Mrs. Everett 2008 Jessica Riggs was awarded the congeniality award.

Mrs. Ephrata 2008 Gena Lewis was given the most years married award. She's been married for more than 16 years.

The spirit award was given to Mrs. Lewis County 2008 Crystal Gall.

Mrs. Snohomish County 2008 Angelique Ashton was voted most inspirational.

The scrapbooking award was given to Richards. She was also named Married Woman of the Year.

Quast received the people's choice award for raising the most money for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. She raised $1,300 at the event.

All proceeds gathered from each woman were donated to the foundation.

Kelli Ritter, 11, was named Princess Kelli at the event.

She was diagnosed with leukemia last year and has been cancer-free for about a year.

The women were judged for three categories, Pageant Host David Curnel said. Evening gown counted for 25 percent, swimsuit counted for 25 percent and interview counted for 50 percent.

The audience watched performances from the Central Washington University Choir and Today's Generation dance groups.

A video tribute and gifts were given to Executive State Director Pam Curnel for her 15 years of service to the pageant.