Havre home to Mrs. Montana

Tana Johnson, a wife, mother of four children and Walmart pharmacy manager from Havre was crowned Mrs. Montana June 4 at the Mrs. Montana America Pageant in Missoula,

She beat two other women for the title of Mrs. Montana.

The current Mrs. America, Natalie Luttmer of Washington, was at the crowning of Johnson.

"I've always wanted to represent my state on a national level and this is my opportunity to represent married women, to represent core marriage values, family values and just to reach out to my community," Johnson said in an interview.

Johnson will go on to compete in the Mrs. America Competition Aug. 19-26 at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas, where she and women from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will vie for the title.

In the meantime, Johnson said she plans to travel the state and educate people about the Mrs. Montana America organization, reach out to communities and educate people about her platform: prescription drug abuse.

Johnson said she would like to go to schools across the state and take part in anti-drug efforts and educate people about prescription drug abuse.

"Educating our youth about prescription drug abuse, you have to start with the littles, you have to start when they are young," Johnson said.  

She said most children start to be exposed to prescription drug abuse at about age 10 or 11 in Montana.

Johnson competed in last year's Mrs. Montana contest, where she came in second in a field of eight. After last year's pageant she decided to enter again.

"It's always been a dream of mine, and I wanted to show my kids that it doesn't matter if you don't win the first time," she said. "If it's a goal and a dream you still continue to go after it."

This year, Johnson beat out two other women for the crown. The winner was decided by points contestants earned in three categories: an interview which made up 50 percent of a contestant's score, another 25 percent of her overall score was decided in an evening gown competition and another 25 percent in a swimwear contest.

Johnson said her husband, Brian, an active member of the Montana National Guard, was supportive of her competing.

"I do a lot of adventurous things. He might not like or agree with them but he was supportive," she said.

Johnson added that her son, stepson and two stepdaughters are also proud of her.

The competition was much more demanding than she thought. Johnson said she had to spend a lot of time getting in shape, practicing her interview skills and had to juggle a busy schedule.

"You can't just go buy a dress online. It takes a process and measurements and stress changes your body," she said.

Unlike past years, at this year's Mrs. Montana competition, contestants were each asked a question while on stage.

Johnson was was asked what she was most proud of. She answered that the support of her husband and how everything that happened in her life this past year has made her a better person.