MONROE – As Miss Monroe County 2023, Reese Johnson has made an impact.
“At the Memorial Day Parade, Dione (Oerther, program director) said, ‘I don’t know if I’ve ever heard so many people shouting Miss Monroe’s name.’ She said I left an impact,” Johnson said. “The mayor (Bob Clark) came to me. That proved to me that I made an impression as Miss Monroe.”
Johnson, 18, is the second-youngest Miss Monroe County in the program’s 61-year history. Her one-year reign ends on August 17, but she has one more big appearance: the Miss Michigan Scholarship competition on June 15.
Previous coverage: Reese Johnson crowned Miss Monroe County 2023
Johnson, the daughter of Monroe’s Patrick and Emily Johnson, leaves for Muskegon on Sunday with some supporters. She will compete against 19 other provincial candidates for the state title.
“I’m the youngest this year,” Johnson said. “My mother is coming to stay all week. My grandparents come out. My father comes out. I have a small group: the Miss Monroe County board and mentors. They cheer the crowd on.”
Johnson also takes a lot of stuff with him.
“Three outfits a day, active clothing, appearance outfit, competition wardrobe. The car will be full,” Johnson said.
Johnson hopes to blaze even more trails in Muskegon.
“I am very excited to represent Monroe. I was the second youngest Miss Monroe County in history and the first openly LGBTQ+ Miss Monroe. I could possibly be the first LGTBQ+ Miss Michigan. I’m paving the way for a lot of people,” Johnson said. “I’m really excited to put my best foot forward. I know it will be a lot of fun.”
Johnson has a week full of appearances, programs and events, including book signings, meals, putt-putt golf and an appearance aboard a cruise ship. She will also compete in interviews, talent, on-stage questions, health and fitness competitions and an evening gown event.
Her platform is LGBTQ+ support, education and research.
“That’s always been my platform,” Johnson said. “I hope to do my best. If I make the top 10, that’s great. If I win, that’s great. I want all these things, but most of all I want to represent myself the best I can and represent Monroe County. Good.”
Johnson competed in the Miss Michigan Teen competition last year in Muskegon and placed fourth runner-up. She won the general question on stage and also received community service.
Johnson said becoming Miss Monroe County was her dream.
She won on her first attempt at the title.
“I really enjoyed meeting people,” Johnson said. “I’ve done the Alzheimer’s Walk, Christmas in Ida, Christmas in Dundee, Miss Senior Monroe County and a lot of March is Reading Month. I went to five or six primary schools.”
Several years ago, Johnson started PRISM, which provides support to LGBTQ+ youth in Monroe County and has three main goals: support, resources and education, including ally training. Today, PRISM has the status of a non-profit organization.
“That was my main goal at 18,” Johnson said.
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Johnson recently graduated from Monroe County Middle College and Monroe County Community College. She will attend the Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan in the fall.
“I’m going to major in graphic design and double major in music,” Johnson said.
She may participate in more scholarship competitions.
“I get a lot of pleasure from competitions. Maybe I’m fighting for more,” she said. “Miss Monroe was truly the dream.”
For more information about the June 15 Miss Michigan Scholarship competition, visit etix.com/ticket/e/1043636/2024-miss-michigan-program-muskegon-frauenthal-theater-at-frauenthal-center.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared in The Monroe News: Reese Johnson represents Monroe at the Miss Michigan competition
