FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - (October 19, 2012) A successful realtor, an active community volunteer, a cheerleading coach and wife of Lt. Patrick Harrigan, executive officer, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, has been crowned Mrs. Alaska International.
Raquel "Rocky" Harrigan will now compete for the title of Mrs. International 2013 during the final competition July 16 through 20, 2013 in Chicago.
Harrigan moved to Alaska in April 2010 after marrying her husband, who was then a recent West Point graduate beginning a six-year commitment with the United States Army. "My initial decision to marry into the military," she said, "was not an easy one." After graduating from college herself, Harrigan said she was on the "fast-track" program at a Fortune 500 company, "on her way up the corporate ladder." "There was no corporate office for me in Fairbanks, so I decided to try my best to flourish and be successful in the community God planted me." That's when she became an independent contractor with a local real estate firm.
"The flexible schedule allows me to also successfully fulfill my role as a military spouse and volunteer," Harrigan said. In addition to her job and the Alaskan adventures with her husband, she has logged more than 1,600 hours of community service on behalf of the Fort Wainwright Family Readiness Group.
While her husband was deployed to Afghanistan last year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Harrigan launched the "While He Serves" organization that encourages community service. "With my new role, I plan to expand the reach of "While He Serves" to include a web site with resources for military Families and initiate a global campaign to promote the positive image of military spouses," she said.
Harrigan embraces the Army Strong philosophy. "Strength keeps us going through year-long deployments, encourages resilience through change and prepares us to act lovingly during times of despair."
The Mrs. International Pageant is owned and operated by International Pageants, Inc., and is reportedly the only platform-based pageant system dedicated to highlighting women's accomplishments through community support. Mrs. International showcases married women 21-to-56-years old and features three categories of competition, including interview, evening gown and fitness wear.
For more information on the Mrs. Alaska International pageant, visit www.mrsinternational.com.
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