The crown would be a nice fit for Angela Darling, a greater means to spread an important message.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Kent woman, who is running for the Mrs. Washington America Pageant title next year, didn’t have to go far to find an appropriate, heart-felt platform.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As Darling discovered, Alzheimer’s is a terrible, progressive disease that new estimates suggest kills nearly a half-million people a year, making it one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The disease slowly and painfully took away the identity and life of Darling’s grandfather, Thorval Harold Elmendorf, 71, a World War II veteran who fought in Normandy.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“He was an awesome guy,” Darling said. “I never really got to know him, although I had a couple of good years with him.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Today, Darling honors her grandfather by raising awareness and support for the Alzheimer’s Association, one of the world’s leading voluntary health organizations in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It is a mission Darling intends to continue as she prepares to compete for the pageant crown next spring.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Darling, 33, as Mrs. Kent, competed but didn’t place in pursuit of the tiara against 27 other women in this year’s program at Bellevue. She came away from her first pageant with a better understanding of what it will take come next May in Olympia.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“The women are wonderful,” Darling said. “We all want to win, but we all are supportive of each other. I just fell in love with all of the women.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The pageant, open to married women of all ages, is designed to empower and mentor women to “Make a Difference.” The pageant, a preliminary to the Mrs. America and Mrs. World competitions, provides the winner with a year filled with workshops, community service, appearances, parades and other opportunities.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
For Darling, a good showing would go far in her efforts to educate and help others.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“The message is definitely more important, but obviously the message would be heard a lot better if did place or if I did win,” she said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Darling, who grew up in Port Orchard, has made Kent her home, along with her husband and stepdaughter. She is a recruiting coordinator for Alpha XR, Inc., with a degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She is studying to become a stenographer at Green River Community College.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
She is also a published author, having written eight books, including a three-book series and a pair of compilation works.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As someone who enjoys history and a good mystery, Darling has been writing since she was 10.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“I remember writing poetry in science class and getting into trouble. I’ve always been the creative type,” she said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Darling wrote her first novel, “War,” when she was just 18. The story revolved around a young girl coming of age during the advent of the Civil War.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Having received her share of reject notices from publishers, Darling turned to the self-publishing circles and found success through CreateSpace, which gives aspiring authors access to printing, ebook distribution and marketing strategies.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
She plans to launch her own self-publishing consulting service to help indie writers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Her books, as she describes, are “dark, twisted, mysterious, romantic … that leave you with open endings.” Her books reflect her taste for horror and suspense, evolving into historical Gothic family sagas.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Darling’s books have attracted good reviews and a widespread audience.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n