Bonney Lake's Kym Hopen crowned Mrs. Washington Plus America

In her first pageant appearance, Bonney Lake's Kym Hopen overcame her nerves and the competition presidents Day weekend to be crowned the first ever Mrs. Washington Plus America.

Hopen said she was "shocked, to say the least" but looking forward to representing Washington in the national pageant, scheduled for June n Memphis, Tenn.

This was Hopen's first pageant. She and her daughter, Raven, both represented Bonney Lake at the state level pageant.

"I met some of the most beautiful, inspiring and talented women from all over our state!" Kym Hopen said in an email. "I have the utmost respect for every single contestant who was brave enough to get up on that stage and be the first women to be a part of the Washington Plus America Pageant."

Kym Hopen was asked to participate by the pageant's executive director, LaTasha Raines, during a previous pageant in which Raven was competing.

Despite initial concerns about being on stage, Raven helped talk Kym into entering, a decision that proved to be a winning one.

"After participating in the pageant, it is clear that the size of your body or a number on the scale has absolutely nothing to do with the beauty, poise or elegance of a woman," Kym Hopen said.

The Hopens both viewed the pageant as a way to talk about their anti-bullying platform, an issue that hits close to home for them. Kym Hopen said she hopes the national pageant will help her and Raven further their platform even more and allow them to get the word out about standtogether.tv, an anti-bullying website.

"I am hoping that my new title will open more doors for both Raven and I so that we can continue our fight against bullying," Kym Hopen said.

Next up is the national competition, June 27-30.

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