Mission woman crowned Miss Montana

ST. IGNATIUS — If you think beauty pageants are for high-maintenance, would-be models with low IQs, you haven't met Stephanie Trudeau.

Trudeau, who was crowned Miss Montana at the annual competition held in Missoula earlier this month, hardly fits the stereotype, but she did know what the judges like to see in contestants.

"I smiled, I love to smile, so I just did that," Trudeau said. "I really didn't expect to win. I was so surprised."

But Trudeau said she had to learn a few things along the way that most contestants were well accustomed to. However, her self- confidence helped win her the crown, she said.

"The first time I did this I didn't know how to put on make-up but I worked on that. I also had to practice walking in high-heels," she said. "But pageants are really about being confident in your own skin — it's not just about looks."

Trudeau competed against more than a dozen other young women for the title in a swimsuit and evening gown competition, and she had to go through two interviews before she was crowned.

"Right after it was over, I took pictures and went to dinner. I had to fill out a lot of paperwork but my mom was beaming the whole time," she said.

Trudeau learned more then she expected to when she took her dad's advice to enter the competition. She is the daughter of Randy and Connie Trudeau.

"My dad told me I should try this a few years ago. I'm not really materialistic but it sounded fun so I gave it a shot," she said. "I was the runner up for two years in a row before I won."

Trudeau said being a tae-kwon-do instructor really helped boost her confidence, too.

"It comes from being a tae-kwon-do instructor, from having a good supportive family and a supportive community. This is an awesome community," she said.

Trudeau said that many community members wished her luck before the pageant and congratulated her after she was crowned.

"This community has always cheered me on. I've had lots of phone calls, too," she said.

One of the questions the judges asked Trudeau was how tae-kwon-do had affected her life, and she later credited it to helping her win the pageant.

"It has helped me build self confidence, helped me become comfortable speaking in large groups, taught me to respect others as well as perseverance and integrity. It has taught me to be honest: After 80 push-ups my arms are tired but I have to be honest with myself and finish those last 20," she said.

Trudeau received many awards with her title, but the title also opened up many service opportunities, she said.

"I have so many opportunities because of this. I get to help with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. I'm a CNA at a nursing home in Missoula so I get to share this with them. I get to be in the Bozeman homecoming parade. I have a world of opportunities I get to help with," she said.

Next spring, Trudeau will compete in the Miss USA pageant hosted by Donald Trump.

"It's a 22-day trip and I'll get to be on TV for that," she said.

After the excitement of winning has settled down Trudea has to concentrate on the next pageant.

"I'm going to work on my interview skills, be up on current news, get a personal trainer, get my dress and practice those high heels," she said.