MONROE - This isn't the first pageant Tashona Smith has taken part in, but it's a little different from what she's done in the past. She has recently been named Mrs. Wisconsin International 2018 and says she plans to use the talents she has always enjoyed in Monroe to make a difference with youth.
"One of the most exciting parts of this experience is the chance that I will have to represent Wisconsin and my hometown of Monroe. We are a small, but incredible community," Smith said. "We truly have so much to be proud of."
Smith, 28, works at Empire Media in Monroe and, in her spare time, assists the Monroe Theatre Guild, amongst other endeavors. She and her husband, Ben, have two children.
As a child, Smith competed in pageants and loved the joy they brought to her life. Last year she was staying in a Milwaukee hotel where a pageant was being held, and it sparked some of those memories.
"It reminded me of when I was younger, and I decided to look online," she said. "I did a lot of research, and this was one of the top pageants for women anywhere."
Smith filled out the application and settled on a platform. She was then called for a phone interview before getting the news that she was selected to represent the state of Wisconsin.
"I'm so excited, honored and humbled," Smith said the day it was announced she won, in early October.
Her platform is to advocate for young people, specifically through performance arts in local communities.
"I was involved in choir, band and plays in school - that was my thing," Smith said. "Participating in these things gave me a sense of identity and confidence - what I'm truly good at. I found a place where I fit in, and that is a huge thing for a teenager."
The next nine months will be a journey for Smith as she preps for the final pageant, which is set for July 20-21 in Charleston, West Virginia, where about 70 people will vie for the title of Mrs. International.
In Wisconsin the winner is selected at-large. There's no actual pageant to choose a state winner, like other states. She's planning to attend the Illinois pageant to take notes.
"Right now, I'm focusing on getting sponsors. Pageants are expensive and quite the undertaking. There are fees that have to be covered, and because I am representing not just Monroe, but all of Wisconsin, I want to go around the state and put my platform into action and doing workshops with kids," Smith said.
Smith is currently working with the theater guild for its Monroe Arts Center play and judged auditions all weekend. She also performs concerts with Steve Scheppele, a local musician.
"When I was younger I had far fewer responsibilities," Smith said. "But for this, I just decided to make it work. Now it's just a matter of finding time for my family."
Smith isn't the first Monroe native to represent Wisconsin in a major pageant. Deanndra DeBlack was Miss Teen Wisconsin USA in 1999, and in 2012, Emily (Guerin) Ball nearly cracked the top 16 at the Miss USA pageant.
"Tashona is a bold and vibrant woman who I know will do a great job representing Wisconsin," said Ball, who graduated with Smith in 2007. "She's talented, intelligent and driven, and Monroe is lucky to have her call it home. I'm so excited for her, and can't wait to watch her year unfold."
"One of the most exciting parts of this experience is the chance that I will have to represent Wisconsin and my hometown of Monroe. We are a small, but incredible community," Smith said. "We truly have so much to be proud of."
Smith, 28, works at Empire Media in Monroe and, in her spare time, assists the Monroe Theatre Guild, amongst other endeavors. She and her husband, Ben, have two children.
As a child, Smith competed in pageants and loved the joy they brought to her life. Last year she was staying in a Milwaukee hotel where a pageant was being held, and it sparked some of those memories.
"It reminded me of when I was younger, and I decided to look online," she said. "I did a lot of research, and this was one of the top pageants for women anywhere."
Smith filled out the application and settled on a platform. She was then called for a phone interview before getting the news that she was selected to represent the state of Wisconsin.
"I'm so excited, honored and humbled," Smith said the day it was announced she won, in early October.
Her platform is to advocate for young people, specifically through performance arts in local communities.
"I was involved in choir, band and plays in school - that was my thing," Smith said. "Participating in these things gave me a sense of identity and confidence - what I'm truly good at. I found a place where I fit in, and that is a huge thing for a teenager."
The next nine months will be a journey for Smith as she preps for the final pageant, which is set for July 20-21 in Charleston, West Virginia, where about 70 people will vie for the title of Mrs. International.
In Wisconsin the winner is selected at-large. There's no actual pageant to choose a state winner, like other states. She's planning to attend the Illinois pageant to take notes.
"Right now, I'm focusing on getting sponsors. Pageants are expensive and quite the undertaking. There are fees that have to be covered, and because I am representing not just Monroe, but all of Wisconsin, I want to go around the state and put my platform into action and doing workshops with kids," Smith said.
Smith is currently working with the theater guild for its Monroe Arts Center play and judged auditions all weekend. She also performs concerts with Steve Scheppele, a local musician.
"When I was younger I had far fewer responsibilities," Smith said. "But for this, I just decided to make it work. Now it's just a matter of finding time for my family."
Smith isn't the first Monroe native to represent Wisconsin in a major pageant. Deanndra DeBlack was Miss Teen Wisconsin USA in 1999, and in 2012, Emily (Guerin) Ball nearly cracked the top 16 at the Miss USA pageant.
"Tashona is a bold and vibrant woman who I know will do a great job representing Wisconsin," said Ball, who graduated with Smith in 2007. "She's talented, intelligent and driven, and Monroe is lucky to have her call it home. I'm so excited for her, and can't wait to watch her year unfold."