Armato, Washburn named festival royalty

John Armato and Anna Washburn were crowned the 80th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival King and Queen on Saturday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. The crowning took place during the festival’s annual coronation court.
They will preside over the festival, which will be held Thursday through Labor Day in downtown Morgan City.
Armato, of Patterson, is a 1992 graduate of Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He earned his certified public accountant certification in 1994.
In 2008, Armato obtained his personal financial specialist designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, according to the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival news release.
Armato is a financial advisor at DSF Wealth Management, the investment arm of Darnall, Sikes, Gardes & Frederick, where he has been employed since 1992. He is shareholder of the firm and is its managing partner in the Morgan City office.
Armato is festival board treasurer, a St. Mary Industrial Group board member, and is an active member of the API, SLCPA, Morgan City Rotary, Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis Club of East St. Mary.
In addition to his community service, he is a trustee at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson.
He and his wife, Nicol, have two daughters, Allis and Anna.
Washburn, the daughter of Tamera Thomas and William “Darby” Washburn of Berwick, is studying child and family services at Louisiana State University where she is a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She serves on the Chi Omega Philanthropy committee.
Washburn is a 2014 graduate of Berwick High School.