Reese Johnson crowned Miss Monroe County 2023

MONROE — Reese Hindley Johnson of Monroe was crowned Miss Monroe County 2023 Saturday night in the 61st annual Miss Monroe County Scholarship Program held at the Meyer Theater, La-Z-Boy Center at Monroe County Community College.

Elizabeth Wirth, 23, of Ida was first runner-up for the title; Claire Bacarella, 19, of Monroe was second runner-up; McKenzie Valente, 20, of Newport was third runner-up; and Delaney Setzler, 19, of Monroe was fourth runner-up. In all, nine young women competed for the Miss Monroe County title. The others were: Jillian Marie Babcock, Emilee Ruth Breitner, Savanna Rose Callahan, Marissa Rose Manley and Celeste Nicole Milligan.

“I honestly did not think (I was going to win). I told everyone (last week) I was afraid I was going to be too young, and I wasn’t what they were looking for. I didn’t think it was my year, but I’m very excited it was my year,” Reese said Sunday.

Reese, 17, is the daughter of Patrick and Emily Johnson. Although she was eligible to compete for the Miss Monroe County title for 10 years, she won on her first attempt.

Reese said she’s the second youngest person ever to win the title. The youngest was Madalyn Bryn Poupard, also 17, in 2019.

“I kind of blacked out (when my name was called). I don’t remember much of what happened. My hands went to my face and I started crying immediately,” Reese said. “I’m just very excited. I didn’t know if this would ever happen. I’m humbled and grateful.”

In the audience were several of her family members and friends.

“I had a small cheering section,” Reese said.

“I made history last night,” added Reese, a member of the LGBTQ+ community. “I’m the first open member of the LGBTQ+ community to win Miss Monroe County in 60 years and the only one in the state of Michigan. I am the rep I never got to see. I’ll be spreading awareness.”

Reese received a $5,000 scholarship as the Miss Monroe winner. She also was awarded the Monroe County Community College Conditional Scholarship Award of $1,000; the Eastern Michigan University Conditional Scholarship Award of $1,000; the David A. Biniecki/Morley E. Oerther Memorial Overall Talent Award of $500; and the Bill Wilt Community Service Award of $300.

Reese has competed for Miss Monroe County program titles for years.

“I competed in Tiny Miss, Little Miss and Miss Monroe County Outstanding Teen since I was 6 years old,” Reese said. “I was third runner-up my first year for Tiny Miss.”

In her 2021 bid for Miss Monroe County Outstanding Teen, she was third runner-up. Last year she was first runner-up for the teen title. She also was Miss Washtenaw County Teen 2022. In June, Reese was the fourth runner-up in the Miss Michigan Teen 2023 competition.

Reese will be a fifth-year student at Monroe County Middle College in the fall and will earn an associate degree in the spring. She hopes to obtain a bachelor’s degree in sound engineering with a minor in LGBTQ+ and gender studies.

Reese already had her first official Miss Monroe County appearance Sunday morning.

“I was at the Carrington Golf outing to benefit Holiday Camp,” Reese said.

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Her reigning year also will include appearances at Christmas in Ida and other local events. She’s also planning to spread awareness for the organization she started, PRISM. PRISM offers support for Monroe County’s LGBTQ+ youth and has three main focuses: support, resources and education, including ally training.

Next spring she’ll compete for the Miss Michigan title.

“To represent Monroe County on that stage will be pretty awesome,” Reese said.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Reese Johnson crowned Miss Monroe County 2023