Farabe’ Cottingham Algor, the daughter of Alice Cottingham (Latta) and Jon Cottingham (Pawleys Island), was crowned Mrs. Texas International recently, in Garland, Texas. Farabe’ competed in interview, which is valued at 50% of the score, fitness valued at 25% and evening gown valued at 25%.
The International Pageant System is the premier system that was developed to promote today’s married women, their accomplishments and their commitment to family and marriage. With a mission to make a difference, each contestant has the opportunity to select a platform of her choice that she will spend the year promoting. Husbands are a part of the show escorting their wives in the evening gown competition and the husband crowns his wife titleholder.
A devoted wife and mother of three, Farabe’ considers it her mission to not only raise three grateful Americans, but also to raise awareness for the need to support the men and women who have fought for our freedom. Her husband, Justin, is one of them. A former Army Ranger, he spent 15 months in Iraq where he was entrusted with the lives of 42 soldiers. Hit by seven IED’s on seven separate occasions, Justin was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury once he returned stateside.
Farabe’ knows all too well the difficulties that face young military families, especially those with service-connected disabilities and those that need assistance when transitioning back to civilian life. She was inspired to create her program, Beyond Glory – Supporting Our Veterans, to connect veterans to organizations that are able to help them with everything from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to job placement.
As Mrs. Texas International, Farabe’ serves as an international spokesperson for “Heroes on the Water,” an organization dedicated to helping veterans from all branches of the military unwind using therapeutic activities like fishing and kayaking. She also serves as a “Homes for Our Troops” ambassador and volunteers with organizations including Veteran’s Administration (VA) hospitals, Hire Heroes, The 43 Club Veteran’s Initiative, Frontiers of Flight and a variety of veteran causes. Farabe’ also serves as a congressional legislative advocate with the goal of reducing veteran’s claim processing time.
Farabe’ credits her grandmother and mother with showing her what it takes to have a strong, positive influence on her family and community. Farabe’ says, “I learned from an early age that strength and persistence can overcome any obstacle.” Farabe’ hopes that the faith and traits they instilled in her are things she can pass down to her own children.
Farabe’ currently resides in the Dallas, Texas area with her husband, Justin, and their three children: twins Hudson and Thayer, and little girl Annaleigh. Farabe’ graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in health promotion. She will compete for the title of Mrs. International on July 24-25 in Jacksonville, Florida against 66 other contestants from across the United States and world.
If you are a veteran or know of a veteran that is in need of assistance, you can reach Farabe’ at FarabeAlgor5@gmail.com.