In the final weekend for the 2015 state pageant weekend Samantha Poirier was crowned Miss New Hampshire USA 2015 and Eleanor Lathram was crowned Miss New Hampshire Teen USA 2015! Samantha is 23 and from Dover and Eleanor is 17 and from Bedford. Samantha will be one of the most experienced contestants at Miss USA this year, with four runner-up placements from 2011-2014, including first runner-up the past two years. Eleanor was competing for the first time.
Samantha and Eleanor take their first walk as New Hampshire’s 2015 titleholders
In the Miss division, five-time Miss New Hampshire (MAO) contestant Sarah Mousseau placed first runner-up. Second runner-up went to Sarah Papa who was a runner-up alongside Samantha in 2012 and 2013 but did not compete last year. Third runner-up was newcomer Brynn Conroy and fourth runner-up was 2014’s 3RU Chelsie Goerndt.
The Teen first runner-up was Matison Trotter who was 3RU last year and a semi-finalist in 2013. Second runner-up went to Destiny Donahue who claimed the same placement in 2013. Third and fourth runners-up were newcomers Elizabeth Domingue and Alexa Carpenter.
Full results:
Miss New Hampshire USA 2015 - Samantha Poirier(1RU 14, 1RU 13, 3RU 12, 2RU 11) 1RU: Sarah Mousseau 2RU: Sarah Papa (3RU 13, 1RU 12) 3RU: Brynn Conroy 4RU: Chelsie Goerndt (3RU 14)
Samantha Poirier, Sarah Mousseau, Sarah Papa, Brynn Conroy, Chelsie Goerndt
Miss New Hampshire Teen USA 2015 - Eleanor Lathram 1RU: Matison Trotter (3RU 14, SF 13) 2RU: Destiny Donahue (2RU 13) 3RU: Elizabeth Domingue 4RU: Alexa Carpenter
Thatiana Diaz was crowned Miss New York USA 2015 today and becomes the 51st and final delegate added to the Miss USA 2015 roster! Miss New York Teen USA 2015 is Geena Cardalena, the third Long Island titleholder to win in the past four years.
Thatiana is no stranger to pageants, as she held the Miss New York Teen USA 2010 title and made the top fifteen at Miss Teen USA 2010. She was also third runner-up at Miss NY USA 2013 and last year she competed at Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2014 as Miss República Dominicana U.S. Geena was top 10 in 2013 but missed the cut in last year’s Teen pageant… she bounced back this year and went home with the crown!
Thatiana and Geena celebrate.
First runner-up in the Miss division was Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2012 Jessica Carter who was competing in Miss for the first time (& is only one of three 2012 Teens to have done so in the past two years). Second runner-up was Kylie Jasenski who was first runner-up in Teen in 2011 and fourth runner-up in 2012, as well as making the top ten at Miss SC Teen USA 2013. Kylie’s sister Brittany was second runner-up last year as well, and first runner-up in 2011. Third runner-up went to Hannah Lopa, another former Teen finalist who was top 10 in 2013 and also placed 3RU to Thatiana at Miss NY Teen USA 2010. Fourth runner-up was Serena Bucaj, last year’s first runner-up.
Amongst the top 20 were 2014 fourth runner-up Michelle Medoff, past semi-finalist April Marochik, Miss CT Teen USA 2007 Olga Litvinenko (her fourth year competing at Miss NY USA) and past Arkansas Teen semi-finalist Nancy Pop. A number of experienced contestants from NY and other states missed the cut this year: 2014 semi-finalist and four-time Mississippi runner-up Cayla Brooks, 2014 New Jersey 4RU Sherri McClendon, and Connecticut Miss & Teen finalist Elise Vertefeuille.
In the Teen division, first runner-up went to Sophia D’Ambrosio for the second consecutive year. Second runner-up was 2014 semi-finalist Stephanie Bavolar, third runner-up was Christiana DiNardo, who improved one spot on her 2014 placement and fourth runner-up was newcomer Michelle Laino.
Full results:
Miss New York USA 2015 - Thatiana Diaz (3RU 13, Miss NY Teen USA 2010) 1RU: Jessica Carter(Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2012) 2RU: Kylie Jasenski (T10 SC TUSA 10, 4RU NY TUSA 12, 1RU NY TUSA 11) 3RU: Hannah Lopa (NF 14, T10 13, 3RU NY TUSA 10) 4RU: Serena Bucaj (1RU 14)
Semi-finalists: Nancy Pop (SF AR TUSA 13, SF AR TUSA 12) Jenna Tirado (SF 14) Christina Kaufman Michelle Medoff (4RU 14, NF 12, 4RU NY TUSA 11, T20 NY TUSA 10) Brittany Drahos (NF 14, NF 12) Kristin Simmons April Maroshick (NF 14, T10 13, T10 NY TUSA 12) Jonelle Douglas Olga Litvinenko (SF 14, NF 13, NF 12, CT TUSA 07) Alexandra Bickelmann (NF 14) November Lauren Alexa Greenfield Alyssa Schmidt (SF 14) Victoria Smurro [2 missing]
Miss New York Teen USA 2015 - Geena Cardalena (NF 14) 1RU: Sophia D’Ambrosio (1RU 14) 2RU: Stephanie Bavolar (SF 14) 3RU: Christiana DiNardo (4RU 14) 4RU: Michelle Laino
Semi-finalists: Alicia Lugo Sabrina Franza (SF 14, T10 13) Heather Nunez Jordan Decker Shannon Harris Lana Coffey (SF 14) Stephanie Osuji Jasmine Rodulfo Sabrina Wasim [one name missing]
Congeniality: Amanda Buhrmaster Photogenic: Victoria Carroll
Geena Cardalena, Sophia D’Ambrosio, Stephanie Bavolar, Christiana DiNardo, Michelle Laino
Newcomer Katie George is Miss Kentucky USA 2015 and 2014 runner-up Caroline Fordis Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2015! The pageant was held on Sunday in KY’s usual near-secrecy, although I was lucky enough to receive photos of the Miss contestants in the programme book and we did get relatively updated results so I guess it wasn’t quite as bad as years past! From what I can tell there were 19 Miss contestants and 11 Teens, they announced a top 10 in Miss but cut straight to a top five in Teen.
Katie is a 21 volleyball player at the University of Louisville. She is the first newbie to win Miss KY USA since 2011. Caroline, third runner-up last year, is 18 and from Bowling Green. She was also a runner-up at Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen 2014.
Caroline Ford & Katie George take their first walk. Photo by Andrew Kung.
First runner-up to Katie was Emily Bryant, who was fourth runner-up last year and second runner-up in 2013. Second runner-up, for the second year in a row, was Monica Robertson. Past Miss Kentucky (MAO) runner-up April Reinle was third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to Katie Himes who has also competed at Miss Kentucky.
Full results:
Miss Kentucky USA 2015 - Katie George 1RU: Emily Bryant (4RU 14, 2RU 13) 2RU: Monica Robertson (2RU 14, SF 13) 3RU: April Reinle 4RU: Katie Himes
Semi-finalists: Courtney Blakely Ashton Gooch Taylor Hubbard (Miss KY Teen USA 2010) Jessica Wallace (SF 14, SF 12) Kelsey White (SF 14, SF 11)
Katie George, Emily Bryant, Monica Robertson, April Reinle, Katie Himes
Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2015 - Caroline Ford (2RU 14) 1RU: Nicole McGee 2RU: Joanna Whitener 3RU: Samantha Strong (2RU 14) 4RU: Bailey Pride (SF 14)
Caroline Ford, Nicole McGee, Joanna Whitener, Samantha Strong, Bailey Pride
Congratulations to Natasha Martinez Miss California USA 2015 and Melanie Mitchell, Miss California Teen USA 2015! Natasha was 1RU last year and Melanie was 4RU. Natasha is the most experienced winner since Alyssa Campanella and the first California runner-up to win Miss CA USA since 2010. This is the first time since 2009 that both winners were a runner-up the year before.
Natasha is one of four Miss California USA 2013 contestants who will be competing at Miss USA this year. That year’s first runner-up Olivia Jordan is the current Miss Oklahoma USA, and top ten finalists Brittany McGowanand Liz Cardillo are Miss Nevada USA and Miss Pennsylvania USA respectively.
Melanie Mitchell and Natasha Martinez
First runner-up was Brittany Wagner, who made the top 10 last year and was a Teen top 10 finalist in 2007. The rest of the runners-up were all newcomers, Brittany Payne, Shelbi Buchholzand Chanelle Riggan from second through fourth runner-up respectively.
Two of the three former Teens who were competing this year made the semi-finals: Alexis Swanstrom, Miss California Teen USA 2011, made the top 10 and Miss Georgia Teen USA 2007 Jena Sims made the top 20. Miss Vermont Teen USA 2009 Brittany Kelemen missed the cut.
I was pretty shocked that 2014 California and Nevada runners-up Amanda Delgado, Alexis Swanstrom and Cierra Jackson missed the top five this year - I thought they all deserved a repeat placement.
In the Teen division, the entire top five had competed previously, including three runners-up from 2014. Gigi Gauthier repeated her 1RU placement from last year and past top ten and 20 semi-finalists Savannah Palacio and Athenna Crosby were second and third runners-up respectively. Fourth runner-up Toneata Morgan was a runner-up for the third time, in her fourth and final year competing in the Teen pageant.
Full results:
Miss California USA 2015 - Natasha Martinez (1RU 14, 3RU 13, T10 11) 1RU: Brittany Wagner (T10 14, NF 10, T10 CA TUSA 07) 2RU: Brittany Payne 3RU: Shelbi Buchholz 4RU: Chanelle Riggan
Top 10: Dia Davis (T10 14, NF 13) Amanda Delgado (2RU 14, Miss US International 2012, NF 10, T10 CA TUSA 08) Cierra Jackson (4RU NV USA 14, NF CA USA 13, T20 CA USA 12, NF CA USA 10, NF CA USA 09) Susanna Shkrabak Alexis Swanstrom (Miss California Teen USA 2011, 1RU 10, 2RU 09)
Top 20: Janessa Alberre (NF 12) Brittney Brown (T10 14) Coco Hunter (T20 14, T20 13, 3RU 11, NF 10) Nadia Mejia (T20 CA TUSA 14, 4RU 13, T20 12) Jena Sims (Miss Georgia Teen USA 2007) Lauren Smolka (T20 14) Carly Diamond Stone (NF 14, NF MI USA 12) Stephanie Thomas Jenny Ting (2RU 12) Lauren York (4RU 14, T10 CA TUSA 12)
Congeniality: Alma Beaty Photogenic: Sarah Colbert
The pageant is happening right now but since we’ve got a photo of the contestant list for Miss New Mexico USA for basically the first time in forever… well I wanted to write a post regardless :D You can see the photos here.
Alexis Duprey is going for the “Triple Crown” this year, having held the Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2009 and Miss New Mexico 2013 titles. Very few have held all three crowns, this is her first shot at Miss New Mexico USA and I wish her all the best! I published a great interview with her before the pageant season started - click here.
There are two other super-experienced contestants, Brittany Peraltaand Ashley Mora. Brittany was a runner-up every year from 2010 to 2013 (I’m not sure if she competed last year), and also competed in the Teen pageant in 2005 and 2006. Ashley was fourth runner-up last year and in 2012, first runner-up to Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2010 and third runner-up in the 2007 Teen pageant. Last year’s second runner-up Nicole Gomez is also back this year.
2014 Miss top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Britana Campos (1RU), Angelica Calderon (3RU), Ashley Mora(4RU), Kamryn Blackwood,Nicole Gomez(2RU)
Alexis Duprey winning Miss New Mexico Teen USA and Miss New Mexico
Olivia Jordanis the new Miss Oklahoma USA and Cherokee Pearce is Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2015! Both are from the greater Tulsa area, Olivia is 26 and Cherokee 18. I finally had a chance to watch the webcast archive today and their winning reactions had me totally choked up, I love a great crowning moment! This was an extremely strong year in OK and I think both new titleholders have a fantastic chance of repeating Oklahoma’s 2014 double placements in Miss USA & Miss Teen USA.
Olivia held the Miss United States World 2013 title and made the top 20 at Miss World 2013. She was first runner-up at Miss California USA 2013 and will be one of three (and potentially four!) of the CA 2013 semi-finalists to compete at Miss USA this year; the others are Miss PA USA Elizabeth Cardillo and Miss NV USA Brittany McGowan who were both top 10 that year. Olivia and Brittany were sister titleholders with the Miss Beverly Hills/Malibu local pageant.
Cherokee will be the most experienced contestant in the Teen pageant this year and makes history as one of very few titleholders to make top five all five years of eligibility. She placed fourth runner-up in the 2011 pageant, third runner-up in 2012, and first runner-up in both 2013 and 2014.
Cherokee and Olivia take their first walk - red was the lucky colour this year! Photo by Laurel Austin Studio.
First runner-up, for the second consecutive year, was Alexandra Miller who has now been a runner-up four times in OK and Kansas. Second runner-up, again repeating her 2014 placement, was Miss OK Teen USA 2008 Taylor Gorton. Third and fourth runner-up spots went to newcomers Albreuna Gonzaqueand Ryli Smith.
All four Teen runners-up were competing for the first time. Cherokee’s first runner-up was Hellen Smith. Sydney Gorton, sister of Taylor, equalled her sister by placing second runner-up. Third runner-up went to Noel Delano and fourth runner-up was Caitlin Fidler.
Full results:
Miss Oklahoma USA 2015 - Olivia Jordan (Miss United States World 2013, 1RU CA USA 13) 1RU: Alexandra Miller (1RU 14, 2RU KS USA 12, 2RU KS USA 09) 2RU: Taylor Gorton (2RU 14, Miss OK Teen USA 2008, NF OK TUSA 07) 3RU: Albreuna Gonzaque 4RU: Ryli Smith
Semi-finalists: Nicole Blakley (2RU OK TUSA 12) Mallory Calhoun Madeline Cole (NF 13, 3RU OK TUSA 11, SF OK TUSA 10) Katrina Collins Brittany Glenn (SF OK TUSA 13, SF 12) Devin Kerns Heather Kiesewetter (SF OH TUSA 06, 1RU OH TUSA 05) Lauren Kindle Alex Smith Brittani Spring (NF 14, SF 13, NF 12, SF 11) Jessi Stringer
Congeniality: Victoria Ellis Photogenic: Taylor Gorton
Gown: Olivia Jordan Swimsuit: Alex Miller Interview:Taylor Gorton
Olivia Jordan, Alexandra Miller, Taylor Gorton, Albreauna Gonzaque, Ryli Smith
Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2015 - Cherokee Pearce (1RU 14, 1RU 13, 3RU 12, 4RU 11) 1RU: Hellen Smith 2RU: Sydney Gorton 3RU: Noel Delano 4RU: Caitlin Fidler
Semi-finalists: Cassidi Gooch Madison Jordan Lynette Long Lauren Lugafet (NF 14) Lillian Masterson Victoria Meehan MaKayla Merryman Rebecca Mohajerin Kailey Salzillo Malorie Stick Alexandria Whisenhunt (SF 14)
Congratulations to Miss DC USA 2015 Lizzy Olsen and Miss DC Teen USA 2015 Niara Tarleton-Allen! Apologies for this results recap coming so late, I’ve been away for Christmas holidays.
Both Lizzy and Niara have past experience, Lizzy was a semi-finalist in last year’s Miss Oklahoma USA 2014 pageant and Niara was second runner-up in Miss DC Teen USA 2014. Niara is the first Teen winner since 2005 who had previously competed in the pageant (although last year’s winner Dominick Fink had been a runner-up in Virginia previously). She also won the Congeniality award this year.
Lizzy and Niara take their first walk. Photo by Vithaya Photography.
First runner-up in the Miss pageant was newcomer Kara McCullough. Shannon Lynch repeated her 2014 placement, finishing second runner-up. Third runner-up went to Miss DC Teen USA 2012 Sierra Hadley, only the second 2012 Teen to compete in the Miss division so far (more info here), and fourth runner-up was another first-time contestant, Joanna Zimmerman.
In Teen, first runner-up was Erica White-Ruffin who was fourth runner-up last year and first runner-up in 2013. Second runner-up was Emily Berriz, who improved one spot from last year. Newbie Kennedy Taylor placed third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to 2014 Maryland semi-finalist Bryce Armstrong. With only eight contestants, all the Teens competed again on finals night and the first cut was to the top five.
Full results:
Miss District of Columbia USA 2015 - Lizzy Olsen(SF OK USA 14) 1RU: Kara McCullough 2RU: Shannon Lynch (2RU 14) 3RU: Sierra Hadley (Miss DC Teen USA 2012) 4RU: Joanna Zimmerman
Semi-finalists: DeShauna Barber (SF VA USA 10) Chelsea Boone (SF MD USA 14, NF 13, NF 12) Rosie Brinckerhoff Carlitta Constant Jasmine Jones Johanna King (SF 14) Amanda Mobley (NF 14, NF NY USA 13, T20 NY USA 12) Alex Rose Torrie Simpson (NF MD USA 14) Alex Swoyer (NF TX USA 14, SF FL USA 13, NF MO USA 10) Elle White
Congeniality: Kara McCullough Photogenic: Carlitta Constant
***
Miss DC Teen USA 2015 - Niara Tarleton-Allen(2RU 14) 1RU: Erica White-Ruffin (4RU 14, 1RU 13) 2RU: Emily Berriz (3RU 14, NF VA TUSA 13) 3RU: Kennedy Taylor 4RU: Bryce Armstrong (SF MD TUSA 14)
Congeniality: Niara Tarleton-Allen Photogenic: Kennedy Taylor
The final Vanbros titleholders for 2015 will be crowned on Sunday in Norman as “Brooklynne squared” pass on their titles. 2014 titleholders Brooklynne Young, Miss Oklahoma USA and Brooklynne Bond, Miss OK Teen USA, both made the cut at Miss USA & Teen USA! If the contestant line up is anything to go by Miss Oklahoma USA & Teen USA 2015 will have a good shot at repeating their success. For now, contestant photos can be viewed on the Warriors for Ross People’s Choice voting site here.
There are two returning runners-up from last year, first runner-up Alex Miller who has also placed 2RU twice in Kansas (having first competed back in 2009!) and second runner-up Taylor Gorton. Taylor was Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2008 and of the three Teens who competed in last year’s pageant, is the only one back this year. Olivia Jordan, who represented the United States at Miss World 2013 and made the top 20, as well as placing first runner-up at Miss California USA 2013, is competing in her home state for the first time. This is her last year of eligibility. There are two former Teen runners-up competing this year as well, 2012 second runner-up Nicole Blakley is competing in Miss for the first time, and 2011 third runner-up Madeline Cole is competing for the second. She was a non-finalist in 2013.
Alex Miller, Taylor Gorton, Olivia Jordan, Nicole Blakley, Madeline Cole
If you’ve ever wondered how I crunch these posts… I actually have a database where I’ve saved all available contestant lists (in some years back to the mid 2000s). As each new state posts their 2015 contestants I go through the list individually and use an awesome programme to crosscheck each name against the database. This often pulls up some interesting results, as it allows me to discover if contestants have previously competed in other states, or many years previously - and sometimes both! In Pennsylvania I discovered the 2003 Teen first runner-up was competing in miss this year, which I didn’t even think was possible any more. In Oklahoma this year there is Heather Kiesewetter, who was first runner-up to Allie LaForce at Miss Ohio Teen USA 2005! Heather was also a semi-finalist in the 2006 Miss Ohio Teen USA pageant.
2005 Ohio Teen top five - Heather Kiesewetter is second from left.
For the Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2015 pageant this is mostly a group of new contestants with very few returnees. I am stoked to see that four-time runner-up Cherokee Pearce is back for her last shot at the title. She has placed 1RU the last two years, I would love to see her reaction if she won :) Taylor Gorton’s sister Sydney is competing for the first time!
Cherokee Pearce the past four years at Miss OK Teen USA - 1RU 15, 1RU 14, 3RU 13, 4RU 12.
MISS CONTESTANTS (36) Modupe Airehrour (NF 13, NF 11) Nicole Blakley (2RU OK TUSA 12) Allison Boyle Mallory Calhoun Madeline Cole (NF OK USA 13, 3RU OK TUSA 11, SF OK TUSA 10) Katrina Collins Laura Dawes Sunny Day Victoria Ellis Brittany Glenn (SF OK TUSA 13, SF 12) Albreuna Gonzaque Taylor Gorton (2RU 14, Miss OK Teen USA 2008, NF OK TUSA 07) Tanesia Gray Tierra Harris Lo Hillhouse Breshell Hurley Olivia Jordan (Miss United States World 2013, 1RU CA USA 13) Devin Kerns Heather Kiesewetter (SF OH TUSA 06, 1RU OH TUSA 05) Lauren Kindle Kate Kirk Nichelle Manini Lacie McElvana Kendall McGill Alexandra Miller (1RU 14, 2RU KS USA 12, 2RU KS USA 09) Danaka Mowdy Mary Sellers Megan Silberstein Jenna Smeenk (SF SD USA 10) Alex Smith Ryli Smith Brittani Spring (NF 14, SF 13, NF 12, SF 11) Trelynn Stephens Jessi Stringer Cornesha Wilkerson Holly Wilson
TEEN CONTESTANTS (28) Laural Butler Trinity Byers Kallista Dagenais Noel Delano Sierra Farr Caitlin Fidler Pearl Frazier Cassidi Gooch Sydney Gorton Lindsey Hagen Melissa Hollis Madison Jordan Clovie Knowles Lynette Long Lauren Lugafet (NF 14) Lillian Masterson Victoria Meehan MaKayla Merryman Rebecca Mohajerin Cherokee Pearce (1RU 14, 1RU 13, 3RU 12, 4RU 11) Kailey Salzillo Hellen Smith Daraja Stewart (NF 13) Malorie Stick Layne Eliza Taylor Haley Thatcher (NF 14) Kailee Walker Alexandria Whisenhunt (SF 14)
Miss District of Columbia USA & Teen USA will be crowned this Sunday, with the final show starting at 3.30 pm. There has been another increase in the number of Miss contestants this year, but sadly the Teen numbers have dropped back to under ten (this is fairly usual in DC but it was great to see that new director Carla Crawford and her team were able to recruit 16 last year). Congratulations to outgoing titleholders Ciera Nicoleand Dominick Fink for the awesome job they did as DC’s representatives for 2014.
In the Miss division there are two former Teens competing, the first time in my memory that they’ve had more than one return in the same year. They are both competing in the Miss division for the first time. Sierra Hadley was Miss DC Teen USA 2012 - only the second 2012 Teen to compete in Miss so far - and Jasmine Alexis was Miss DC Teen USA 2007 and Miss DC’s Outstanding Teen 2008. The only returning 2014 runner-up is Shannon Lynch who was second runner-up last year (first runner-up Jessica Bermudez was a semi-finalist in Pennsylvania a couple of weekends ago). There is also Tara Ward, third runner-up in 2010, who has competed in NJ as well.
Unsurprisingly for DC there are a number of contestants who have previously competed in other states. From Maryland there are DeJanee Fennell, Chelsea Booneand Torrie Simpson, from Virginia DeShauna Barberand Amanda Mobley twice competed in New York before first competing in DC last year. Alex Swoyer has come from farthest afield, she has previously competed in Missouri, Florida and Texas.
Returning former Teens Jasmine Alexis (2007) and Sierra Hadley (2012). Jasmine was originally first runner-up and took over the title before Miss Teen USA when the winner resigned. How awesome would it be for her to get her crowning moment?!
In Teen, five of the eight contestants have competed in TUSA state pageants previously. There are three returning runners-up: second runner-up Niara Tarleton-Allen, third runner-up Emily Berriz and fourth runner-up Erica White-Ruffin (who was also first runner-up in 2013). As with the Miss division there are a few who have previously competed in Maryland and Virginia - including 2014 MD Teen semi-finalist Bryce Allen.
2014 Teen top five (2014 contestants in bold) - Erica White-Ruffin(4RU),Niara Tarleton-Allen(2RU), Dominick Fink, Maura Deegan (1RU), Emily Berriz(3RU)
MISS CONTESTANTS (31) Jasmine Alexis(Miss DC Teen USA 07, Miss DC’s Outstanding Teen 08) Deshauna Barber (SF VA USA 10) Gianni Boler Chelsea Boone (SF MD USA 14, NF 13, NF 12) Rosie Brinckerhoff Carlitta Constant Dejanee Fennell (NF MD USA 14) Jazmyn Fuller Taya Gaskins-Scott Sierra Hadley(Miss DC Teen USA 12) Stephanie Hernandez Vernetta Jenkins Cathyana Jean-Baptiste Jasmine Jones Niki Kafashzadeh Megan Kearney Johanna King (SF 14) Shannon Lynch (2RU 14) Kristin McCovery Kara McCullough Amanda Mobley (NF 14, NF NY USA 13, T20 NY USA 12) Lizzy Olsen Shangti Petty (NF 14) Rayna Reid Alex Rose Torrie Simpson (NF MD USA 14) Alex Swoyer (NF TX USA 14, SF FL USA 13, NF MO USA 10) Tara Ward (NF 13, NF NJ USA 12, 3RU 10, SF NJ TUSA 08) Elle White Nia Williams Joanna Zimmerman
TEEN CONTESTANTS (8) Bryce Armstrong (SF MD TUSA 14) Christian Bailey Emily Berriz (3RU 14, NF VA TUSA 13) Beatrice Dumitrache (NF MD TUSA 13) Jamie Elliott Niara Tarleton-Allen (2RU 14) Kennedy Taylor Erica White-Ruffin (4RU 14, 1RU 13)
Elizabeth Cardillo is Miss Pennsylvania USA 2015, and will be the second former California contestant competing at Miss USA this year! Her Teen titleholder is Jasmine Daniels, who was second runner-up last year.
Elizabeth competed in Miss California USA from 2012 to 2014, competing alongside Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez, Miss CA USA winners Natalie Pack, Mabelyn Capelujand Cassie Kunze and Miss NV USA 2015 Brittany McGowan. She grew up in the Pittsburgh suburb of Hampton and moved to Los Angeles to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. After graduating she returned to her home state and now lives in Allison Park.
Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2010 Elena LaQuatra placed first runner-up her first year competing in the Miss division. 2014 second runner-up Andrea Shen and fourth runner-up Cassandra Angst repeated their positions from last year. Deana Sophia Vera, the original winner of the Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2011 pageant who later resigned (due to residency issues, from what I have heard), placed third runner-up.
Among the semi-finalists were past Pennsylvania and DC runners-up Laura DiFrancescoand Jessica Bermudez, who were both in their last year of eligibility, and Alex-Taylor Deitz who was first runner-up in Miss PA Teen USA the past three years.
In the Teen division, Jasmine’s first through third runners-up, in order Alana Andersen, Sydney Dolanch, and Madonna Mantione were all competing for the first time. Fourth runner-up was 2014 non-finalist Lauren Dunegan. 2013 fourth runner-up Mariah Custer and 2014 semi-finalist Cassidy Mattiola made the semi-finals, as did five more of last year’s non-finalists.
Full results:
Miss Pennsylvania USA 2015 - Elizabeth Cardillo(T10 CA USA 14, T10 CA USA 13, T20 CA USA 12) 1RU: Elena LaQuatra (Miss PA Teen USA 2010, Miss PA’s OT 07) 2RU: Andrea Shen (2RU 14, NF IL TUSA 10) 3RU: Deana Sophia Vera (Winner, Miss PA Teen USA 2011 - resigned) 4RU: Cassandra Angst (4RU 14)
Semi-finalists: Nicolette Bendick (NF 14, NF 13) Jessica Bermudez (1RU DC USA 14, 4RU DC USA 13) Alexandra Bristow Alex-Taylor Deitz (1RU PA TUSA 14, 1RU 13, 1RU 12) Laura DiFrancesco (3RU 14, 1RU 13, SF 12, SF PA TUSA 05) Antonia Gore (NF GA USA 13, SF MD TUSA 08) Krystal Gregorio Kelsey Landy (SF PA TUSA 10, SF PA TUSA 09) Julia Pauline (NF 14, SF 13, NF 11, 2RU PA TUSA 10) Natalie Romano
Congeniality: Alexandra Bristow Photogenic: Cassandra Angst
Elizabeth Cardillo, Elena LaQuatra, Andrea Shen, Deana Vera, Cassandra Angst
Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2015 - Jasmine Daniels(2RU 14) 1RU: Alana Andersen 2RU: Sydney Dolanch 3RU: Madonna Mantione 4RU: Lauren Dunegan (NF 14)
Semi-finalists: Isabel Batres (NF 14) Madison Brown Julia Chiango (NF 14) Mariah Custer (4RU 13) Morgan Dower Mary Honkus (NF 14) Cassidy Mattiola (SF 14) Paige Padula Molly Sgarra (NF 14) Robin Stoner (NF 14)
Congratulations to Miss Alaska USA 2015 Kimberly Agronand Miss Alaska Teen USA 2015 Katelyn Cusack! Both are from Anchorage, Kimberly is 20 and Katelyn 17.
Kimberly Agron & Katelyn Cusack. Photo by Matthew Crockett Photography.
Kimberly was Miss Alaska Teen USA 2013 and is the first Miss Teen USA 2013 delegate to win a Miss USA state title. This was the first time since Miss AK Teen USA 2000 Christine Olejniczak won Miss Alaska USA 2002 that there have been returning Teens in Alaska and like Christine, Kimberly will compete at Miss USA just short of two years after Miss Teen USA. Miss Alaska Teen USA 2011 Denali Whiting placed second runner-up.
First runner-up at Miss Alaska USA was JoEllen Walters, who was second runner-up last year. Third runner-up went to Brandy Kellner, last year’s fourth runner-up, and newcomer Angelina McFeron was fourth runner-up.
Joley Hodgson placed first runner-up in the Teen division, followed by Hannah Pittman, Tana Bartelsand Sydney McCormick.
Full results:
Miss Alaska USA 2015 - Kimberly Agron(Miss Alaska Teen USA 2013,NF 12) 1RU: JoEllen Walters (2RU 14) 2RU: Denali Whiting (Miss Alaska Teen USA 2011) 3RU: Brandy Kellner (4RU 14) 4RU: Angelina McFeron
Miss Utah USA 2015 is Nicol Powell, from Salt Lake City, and Miss Utah Teen USA 2015 is Brooke Skabelund of Logan! Nicol and Brooke both won the Photogenic awards on preliminary night (and Brooke was also Miss Photogenic in last year’s pageant).
Both have past experience, Nicol was 2nd runner-up last year and third runner-up in Miss Utah Teen USA 2015 and Brooke was a semi-finalist last year. If Nicol’s surname looks familiar, it should be! Her sister Marissa was Miss Utah USA 2013 and third runner-up at Miss USA 2013. Nicol will be one of two sisters of Miss USA runners-up to compete at Miss USA this year (the other is Miss Virginia USA Laura Puleo whose sister Ashley was 2RU at Miss USA 2004).
Nicol has continued the trend of recent Miss Utah USA winners having past experience in Miss or Teen USA state pageants; the last newbie to win was in 2008. On the flip side, Brooke is the first returning contestant to win since 2009!
In a rare occurrence, both 2014 first runners-up placed 1RU again: Teale Murdock in the Miss division and Dasha Semina in Teen.. I don’t think my heart has ever sunk so fast, because as much as I love Nicol, I was really puling for Teale to take it this year. Her record is now 1RU 15, 1RU 14, SF 13, 2RU 12, 4RU 11, 4RU 10, 4RU 09, NF TX TUSA 08. Hopefully 2016 is the charm!
Second runner-up to Miss Utah USA was 2014 semi-finalist Narine Ishhanov. Third runner-up went to 2013 and 2014 semi-finalist Andrea Jackson, and newcomer Alecsy Christensen placed fourth runner-up. I was really surprised that 2013 & 2014 runner-up Dani Braun did not make the top five (she finished in the top 10) as I had her in my final two.
In Teen, it was a battle between two standout competitors, Brooke and Dasha, both wearing the same gown, which made for a funny top two moment. Second runner-up was Nicole Smith of South Ogden, another 2014 semi-finalist. Both the third and fourth runners-up were newcomers: Shandlie Bodilyand Brittnee Thornockrespectively.
Full results:
Miss Utah USA 2015 - Nicol Powell(2RU 14, 3RU UT TUSA 12, SF UT TUSA 11) 1RU: Teale Murdock (1RU 14, SF 13, 2RU 12, 4RU 11, 4RU 10, 4RU 09, NF TX TUSA 08) 2RU: Narine Ishhanov (SF 14, NF 13) 3RU: Andrea Jackson (SF 14, SF 13, SF UT TUSA 12) 4RU: Alecsy Christensen
Top 10: Andrea Barrett Dani Braun (4RU 14, 3RU 13, 2RU UT USA 11) Paris Fisher (SF 14, SF 13) Kimberly Smith Kiara Smith (SF 14)
Top 20: Hannah Cross Gentry Everill (NF 14, NF 13, NF 12) Cassie Flanders (NF 13) Jordan Halling (SF UT TUSA 12) Tricia Haywood Madison Hunter Victoria Lynn (2RU UT TUSA 14, 1RU 13, SF 12) Marikh Mathias Alexis Riddle Xela Sanborn Mickenzie Willis
Update! Congratulations to Kimberly Agron, the new Miss Alaska USA 2015 and Katelyn Cusack, Miss Alaska Teen USA 2015! Click their names to view their profiles, and there’s more coverage on my Facebook page. Full results post is here.
Miss Alaska USA & Teen USA 2015 will be crowned on Saturday afternoon and whilst there are no official contestant lists posted I’ve been able to do a little digging to bring you some of the contestant names.
The Miss Alaska USA & Teen USA contestants - wouldn’t names have been an awesome addition to this?!
Of particular excitement and interest to me as a pageant trivia geek there are not one but two former Miss Alaska Teen USA titleholders competing for Miss Alaska USA this year, which for most states wouldn’t be earth shattering, except that as far as my records go, the most recent Teen to compete in Miss was Miss AK Teen USA 2000 Christine Olejniczak who won Miss Alaska USA 2002! The two who are back are Denali Whiting (2011) and Kimberly Agron (2013) - Kimberly will be just the second 2013 Teen to compete this year.
Returning runners-up back this year are 2014 second runner-up JoEllen Walters (now a blonde!) and fourth runner-up Brandy Kellner and *maybe* 2013 runner-up Emma Halsey. Also competing is Taylor Eckert andShayla Silva.
2014 Miss contestants (2015 contestants in bold) - Brandy Kellner(4RU),JoEllen Walters(2RU), Kendall Bautista, Brooke Johnson (1RU), Molly Copple (3RU)
Update! Congratulations to Nicol Powell, the new Miss Utah USA 2015 and Brooke Skabelun, Miss Utah Teen USA 2015! Click their names to view their profiles, and there’s more coverage on my Facebook page. Full results post is here.
Miss Utah USA and Teen USA 2015 kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday as Utah farewells Angelia LaytonandSavannah Lancaster and prepares to crown their 2015 titleholders. In true Utah fashion there are many returning contestants in the Miss division! It has been seven years since a contestant with no Miss or Teen USA state pageant experience has won Utah, and that winner, 2008’s Julia Bachison, was a former Miss Utah!
2014 first runner-up Teale Murdock will be competing for the seventh year. She has made top five in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, was a semi-finalist in 2012, and a non-finalist at Miss Texas Teen USA 2008. Also returning is last year’s second runner-up Nicol Powell, sister of Miss Utah USA 2013 Marissa Powell and a runner-up at Miss Utah Teen USA 2012 also, and Dani Braun, fourth runner-up last year, third runner-up in 2013 and a Teen runner-up in 2011. Victoria Lynn, second runner-up at Miss Utah USA 2014, and first runner-up in 2013, is competing in Miss for the first time. Semi-finalists who are back are Paris Fisher (2013 & 2014), Narine Ishhanov(2014),Andrea Jackson (2013 & 2014) and Kiara Smith. Gentry Everill won her third consecutive Miss Congeniality award on prelim night and Nicol Powell won Photogenic.
2014 Miss top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Dani Braun(4RU), Angelia Layton, Melina Clawson (3RU), Nicol Powell(2RU),Teale Murdock (1RU)
In the Teen division the only runner-up who is competing is last year’s first runner-up Dasha Semina. There are three semi-finalists returning: Desiree Anderson (2013 & 2014), Brooke Skabelund (2014) and Nicole Smith (2014). Miss contestant Gentry Everill’s sister Ciearra is competing with her this year.
I’m sad not to see 2014 runners-up Jenna Beatonand Sierra Kener back, I’m hoping they’ve just aged out of Teen and will be back for Miss in a year or two :)
2014 Teen top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Jenna Beeton (3RU), Savannah Lancaster, Sierra Kener (4RU), Dasha Semina(1RU),Victoria Lynn (2RU) (competing in Miss)
MISS CONTESTANTS (42) Andrea Barrett Dani Braun (4RU 14, 3RU 13, 2RU UT USA 11) Courtney Burns Alexis Chew Alecsy Christensen Rylee Coggins Hannah Cross Brandy Delatorre (SF UT USA 14) Mercedes Dritlein Gentry Everill (NF 14, NF 13, NF 12) AubriAnn Finch Summer Finkelstein (NF 14) Paris Fisher (SF 14, SF 13) Cassie Flanders (NF 13) Karena Foust Samantha Furden Brianna Giles Jordan Halling (SF UT TUSA 12) Tricia Haywood Zoe Herzig Lexie Hick (NF 14) Karrie Hunt (NF 14) Madison Hunter Narine Ishhanov (SF 14, NF 13) Andrea Jackson (SF 14, SF 13, SF UT TUSA 12) Amelia Johnson Kori Laurel Angelina Lujan Victoria Lynn (2RU UT TUSA 14, 1RU 13, SF 12) Marikh Mathias Teale Murdock (1RU 14, SF 13, 2RU 12, 4RU 11, 4RU 10, 4RU 09, NF TX TUSA 08) Hillarie Murray Nicol Powell (2RU 14, 3RU UT TUSA 12, SF UT TUSA 11) Angela Price Alexis Riddle Nichole Romney Xela Sanborn Crystal Siegel Rachel Slawson (NF 14) Kimberly Smith Kiara Smith (SF 14) Mickenzie Willis
TEEN CONTESTANTS (23) Desiree Anderson (SF 14, SF 13) Shandlie Bodily Z. Karina Brothers Jada Brunson McKennah Bybee Maddie DeLoach Ciearra Everill Alondra Guzman Talia Hanks Madilen Kellogg Mylee Macdonald Azilee Meadows Kayler Poglajen Diana Pogosyan Samantha Poole Raquel Reese Gabrielle Rojas Dasha Semina (1RU 14) Brooke Skabelund (SF 14) Nicole Smith (SF 14) Courtney Thompson Brittnee Thornock Skye Timmins
Pennsylvania’s successful 2014 pairing of Valerie Gatto, top 20 at Miss USA and Sydney Robertson, 2nd runner-up & Miss Congeniality at Miss Teen USA, pass on their titles on Sunday afternoon and will crown their 2015 successors!
In the Miss division, all three eligible runners-up have returned - I’m so sad that Billie Jo Powers aged out last year! 2014 third runner-up Laura DiFrancesco, who was also first runner-up in 2013, has her last shot this year, as does 2014 DC first runner-up Jessica Bermudez who was third runner-up in 2013 and has now moved to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s second runner-up Andrea Shen and fourth runner-up Cassandra Angst are both 20 and have plenty of time up their sleeve! Also returning is 2014, 2013 and 2012 Teen first runner-up Alex-Taylor Deitz who is now 19 and competing in Miss for the first time.
There are two former Teen winners competing - but there’s an asterisk to that! Elena LaQuatra, Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2010 and Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen 2007 is trying for a triple crown. At the end of her reign she crowned Deana Chuzhinina as Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2011, however Deana resigned the next day and her first runner-up Madison Longstreth took over as Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA (and placed in the top 15 at Miss Teen USA). Whilst it was never clear exactly why Deana resigned, it’s been suggested that she may not have had citizenship at that point. Now, four years later, Deana is back! She is competing as Deana Sophia Vera this year but it’s definitely the same girl :)
Other recognisable names this year are Elizabeth Cardillo, three-time semi-finalist in California, and PA semi-finalists Samantha Weidner(2014),Devon Mondillo(2014), Julia Pauline (2013 and a 2010 Teen finalist) Rachel Syktich (2013) and Ryann Williams(2013).
Pennsylvania has only crowned two newcomers in the past nine years - and none since 2009 - so it will be interesting to see one of these experienced contestants will take the title or whether a newbie can break that trend!
2014 Miss top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Back: Laura DiFrancesco(3RU),Cassandra Angst (4RU) / Front: Andrea Shen(2RU), Valerie Gatto, Billie Jo Powers (2RU)
2010 Teen top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Back: Mackenzie Bart (4RU), Emily Adamski (3RU) / Front: Nicolette Ventura (1RU), Elena LaQuatra,Julia Pauline(2RU)(Mackenzie is the current Miss Ohio!)
In Teen there are two returning runners-up, Jasmine Daniels who was 2RU last year and Mariah Custer, 4RU in 2013. They are joined by two returning semi-finalists, Cassidy Mattiola and Sabrina Nolan, but the majority of the returnees were non-finalists last year.
2014 Teen top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Back: Brielle Corrente (4RU) Justine Staub (3RU) / Front: Jasmine Daniels(2RU), Sydney Robertson,Alex-Taylor Deitz (1RU) (competing in Teen)
2013 Teen top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Back:Mariah Custer (4RU), Veronica Howard (3RU) / Front:Alex-Taylor Deitz (1RU) (competing in Miss), Ebone Jimerson, Catherine D'Arcangelo (2RU)
MISS CONTESTANTS (59) Alexis Allen Cassandra Angst (4RU 14) Kristen Baranowski Clarissa Beckles Nicolette Bendick (NF 14, NF 13) Jessica Bermudez (1RU DC USA 14, 4RU DC USA 13) Carmen Bloom Kendra Bova Kara Boyd Alexandra Bristow Sable Butler (NF 11-14) Elizabeth Cardillo (T10 CA USA 14, T10 CA USA 13, T20 CA USA 12) Marissa Cassell Saundra Combs Khira Cooper Natasha Cooper Krista Constanza Kayla Courvell Jacqueline Daniele Alex-Taylor Deitz (1RU PA TUSA 14, 1RU 13, 1RU 12) Natalie DeMarino Laura DiFrancesco (3RU 14, 1RU 13, SF 12, SF PA TUSA 05) Patricia Dullek (NF 10, 1RU PA TUSA 13) Lila Gabriel Josalyn Geiman Antonia Gore (NF GA USA 13, SF MD TUSA 08) Krystal Gregorio Chantelle Heggenstaller (NF 14) Stephanie Hopkins Katelyn Jakubovic (NF 14) Caitlin Joyce Amber Kachelries Kelsey Landy (SF PA TUSA 10, SF PA TUSA 09) Elena LaQuatra(Miss PA Teen USA 2010, Miss PA’s OT 07) Lauren McGinley Hannah Metheny Bailynne Miller Nicole Miller Devon Mondillo (SF 14) Tyler Moore (NF PA TUSA 12) Melissa Osoria Rachel Pastors Julia Pauline (NF 14, SF 13, NF 11, 2RU PA TUSA 10) Kimberly Peyton (NF 14) Mykim Pham Natalie Romano Andrea Shen (2RU 14, NF IL TUSA 10) Kathryn Steele Rachel Syktich (SF 13) Natasha Truitt Deana Vera (Winner, Miss PA Teen USA 2011 - resigned) Kailey Verbickey (NF PA TUSA 12) Cristina Virgilio Alexis Walker (NF 14, NF 08) Samantha Weidner (SF 14) Bianca Williams Ryann Williams (SF 13) Charlette Woelkers Danielle Woods
TEEN CONTESTANTS (41) Yamilet Abreu Alana Andersen Isabel Batres (NF 14) Madison Brown Ebony Carter (NF 14) Julia Chiango (NF 14) Marissa Critchlow Mariah Custer (4RU 13) Jasmine Daniels (2RU 14) Stephanie Delgado Sydney Dolanch Morgan Dower Laura Dunegan (NF 14) Lauryn Fetkovich Alyssa Gallagher Tabitha Hernandez Mary Honkus (NF 14) Madonna Mantione Cassidy Mattiola (SF 14) Adaria McGill Haylei Mickey Amarys Moten Sabrina Nolan (SF 14) Mary Pagini Paige Padula Jessica Palak (NF 14) Cassy Powley Teresa Rewalt Marielle Roberts-McDonald Kayla Root Molly Sgarra (NF 14) Halle Shank Eva Shinavski Erin Skiff Robin Stoner (NF 14) Samantha Tait Jacara Tucker Savanna Voytek (NF 14) Stephanie Voytek Natalie Westling Franki Worthington (NF 14)
Congratulations to Miss Virginia USA 2015 Laura Puleo and Miss Virginia Teen USA 2015 Ann Kutyna!
Laura, a law student at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, was 2RU last year, top 10 in Miss North Carolina USA 2013 and 2RU in Miss NC USA 2012. She is the sister of Miss North Carolina USA 2004 Ashley Puleo who was Miss North Carolina USA 2004 and second runner-up at Miss USA!
Ann is 15, one of Virginia’s youngest Teen winners in recent years, and was a non-finalist in last year’s pageant.
Laura is the sixth blonde winner in a row, which of course brought out the conspiracy theorists! (how easy is it to forget that VA also crowned 8 brunettes from 2002-2009). She is also the third winner in the past four years who had previously competed in a different state, although the only one of those who have competed in VA before she won. She is only the second returning runner-up in the past six years to win the crown.
Laura and Ann celebrate their wins. Photo by Mickey Baker.
First runner-up to Laura was Miss Virginia 2013 Desiree Williams who was competing in her first USA pageant. Second runner-up went to newcomer Jamie Hughes. Third runner-up was Brittinay Nicolette, who was a runner-up at Miss MD Teen USA 2009 & 2010. Fourth runner-up went to another Marylander, Kristie Barlow, who was second runner-up at Miss Maryland USA 2011 but had not competed since. Brittinay was a semi-finalist in the 2011 pageant where Kristie placed 2RU.
Brittinay Nicolette won Miss Photogenic, while Miss Congeniality went to Kiara Williams, who was 4RU last year but inexplicably missed the top 12 cut this year.
The Teen first runner-up was Davina Seoparsan who was 2RU last year. I really hope Davina hasn’t aged out of Teen, I think she would also do brilliantly at Miss Teen USA. Second runner-up was Alexis Ramsey, top 15 in North Carolina Teen USA last year and a semi-finalist in Virginia in 2013. Third runner-up went to Cameron Smith, the 2014 first runner-up. Alexis Crosen, the only newcomer in the top five, placed fourth runner-up.
Full results:
Miss Virginia USA 2015 - Laura Puleo(2RU 14, T10 NC USA 13, 2RU NC USA 12) 1RU: Desiree Williams (Miss Virginia 2013) 2RU: Jamie Hughes 3RU: Brittinay Nicolette (SF MD USA 11, 2RU MD TUSA 10, 3RU MD TUSA 09, T17 MD TUSA 08) 4RU: Kristie Barlow (2RU MD USA 11)
Semi-finalists: Meghan Dowell Sidney Durham (NF 14) Megan Greber (NF 14, NF 12, 4RU VA TUSA 11, 3RU 10) Meah Ollis (SF TN TUSA 14) Lauren Petersen 1RU MO USA 14, SF MO USA 13, SF MO USA 12, SF MO USA 11, Miss Missouri Teen USA 2007) Malissa Sibly (SF 11) Delesia Watson (SF 11)
Congeniality: Kiara Williams Photogenic: Brittinay Nicolette
Laura Puleo, Desiree Williams, Jamei Hughes, Brittinay Nicolette, Kristie Barlow
Miss Virginia Teen USA 2015 - Ann Kutyna(NF 14) 1RU: Davina Seoparsan (2RU 14) 2RU: Alexis Ramsey (T15 NC TUSA 14, SF 13) 3RU: Cameron Smith (1RU 14, NF 13) 4RU: Alexis Crosen
Semi-finalists: Morgan Cook Caitlyn Harman Corinne Hilton Ashton Kennedy Carson Kirk Monica Osborne Madison VanDyke
Five-time competitor Jessica Scheu (pronounced “Shy”) is Miss Minnesota USA 2015 and returning runner-up Hayden Hammond is Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2015! Both are the first winners from their towns, Jessica is from Prior Lake and Hayden from Maple Grove.
Jessica was first runner-up last year, and one of five of the 2012 top fifteen to win a Miss USA state title. She was also second runner-up in Teen in 2011 and a semi-finalist in 2008 and 2009. The others from that special 2012 group are Nitaya Panemalaythong (Miss Minnesota USA 2012), Danielle Hooper (Miss Minnesota USA 2013), Jessica Billings (Miss Pennsylvania USA 2013) and Chrissy Zamora (Miss Wisconsin USA 2015).
Jessica is the first returning 1RU since at least 1997 (when my records start) to win the Miss Minnesota USA title, no small feat considering there have been many returning first runners-up in recent years who have competed numerous times without winning the crown. Over seven pageants, from 2007 to 2013, the 1RU spot was shared between Danielle Epps (3 times), Brianne Anderson (twice) and Kristina Ferdig (twice), and Brianne & Kristina both competed numerous other times as well). You can see the full list of MN state results here.
Hayden was fourth runner-up last year and is the first returning contestant and first returning runner-up since 2010 (outgoing Miss MN USA 2014 Haley O'Brien!) to win Miss Minnesota Teen USA. She is only the fourth returning runner-up to win in the past 15 years.
Jessica and Hayden celebrate their wins. Photo by Michael Solberg.
In the Miss division, first runner-up went to Wynona Jane Schewe who herself is now a three-time runner-up, having placed 3RU in 2012 and 2013. Second runner-up went to newcomer Bridget Jacobs, third runner-up was Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2011 Hannah Corbett and fourth runner-up was 2014 semi-finalist Katie Stout. Fun fact: Jessica Scheu was 2RU to Hannah at Miss MN Teen USA. Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2007 Vanessa VonBehren, fourth runner-up last year, placed in the top 15. Both Hannah and Vanessa placed at Miss Teen USA.
First runner-up in Teen was Dasia Mestad and second runner-up was Brigitta Zosel. Both are past Teen 1RUs, Brigitta in 2014 and Dasia in 2013 (also a semi-finalist last year). Third runner-up was Sophia Primozich, a young newcomer who has oodles of potential and who I’m sure is destined for the crown in the coming years. Fourth runner-up was another newcomer, Camila Payan. Anna Korger was the only returning Teen runner-up to miss the top five, making the semi-finals.
Full results:
Miss Minnesota USA 2015 - Jessica Scheu(1RU 14, SF 12, 2RU MN TUSA 11, SF MN TUSA 09, SF MN TUSA 08) 1RU: Wynona Jane Schewe (3RU 13, 3RU 12) 2RU: Bridget Jacobs 3RU: Hannah Corbett (Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2011) 4RU: Katie Stout (SF 14)
Semi-finalists: Alexis Adu-Bobi Kayla Casciano (2RU 14) Shelby Franklin Emily Fredericks Chloe Gunderson Mary Petersen (SF 13) Samantha Phillipi Darbie Smith (SF MN TUSA 12) Vanessa VonBehren (4RU 14, Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2007) Alexandra West (SF 14)
Bridget Wilmes is the new Miss Oregon USA 2015 and Kenna Sloy is Miss Oregon Teen USA 2015! Both competed in last year’s pageant; Bridget was a non-finalist and Kenna was 1st runner-up.
Kenna is the first returning 1RU to win Miss Oregon Teen USA since 2011, and only the second returning runner-up to win the past ten years. She was also 3RU in 2013.
In the Miss division the top three placements all went to 2014 non-finalists. Emma Hammel placed 1st runner-up and Olivia Wetzel was second runner-up. Tarah Land, third runner-up in Washington last year and 2RU in Oregon in 2013 placed third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to two-time Miss Colorado Teen USA semi-finalist Kayla Knock. Despite only having 12 contestants they had a top 10! :O
The Teen first runner-up was Kelsey Panek, who was competing for the first time. Second runner-up was Bridgette Wallace, also new, although she has competed at Miss Oregon’s Outstanding Teen. Third runner-up, for the second year in a row, was Kaylee Davidson. Fourth runner-up went to newcomer Casee Lantz.
Full results:
Miss Oregon USA 2015 - Bridget Wilmes(NF 14) 1RU: Emma Hamel (NF 14) 2RU: Olivia Wetzel (NF 14) 3RU: Tarah Land (3RU WA USA 14, 2RU OR USA 13) 4RU: Kayla Knock (SF CO TUSA 14, SF 13)
Congratulations to Heather Elwell, Miss Maine USA 2015 and Skyler Gaudette, Miss Maine Teen USA 2015! Heather’s win is the true Cinderella story of 2015, as she placed 1RU in Maine the past three years, had also competed in Florida three times before that (including placing in the top 15 twice) and in Teen once. Eighth time the charm!
Skyler and Heather celebrate their wins. Photo by Todd Ward.
In Miss, first runner-up went to Alfine Nathalie, a semi-finalist in the 2008 Teen pageant. Second runner-up was Brooke Harris, a 2014 semi-finalist and third runner-up went to last year’s 2RU Annie Jean-Baptiste. Katherine Ambrose, the only first-time contestant in the top five, placed fourth runner-up.
In Teen the runners-up were, in order from first to fourth, Alexis Wintle,Delaney Shiers,Alexandria Stevenson,Katherine Stoddard. Alexandria was the only contestant with past experience, having placed 1RU last year. Delaney is the sister of Miss Maine Teen USA 2009 Jordan Shiers.
Full results:
Miss Maine USA 2015 - Heather Elwell(1RU 14, 1RU 13, 1RU 12, NF FL USA 11, SF FL USA 10, SF FL USA 09, NF FL TUSA 07) 1RU: Alfine Nathalie (SF ME TUSA 08) 2RU: Brooke Harris (SF 14) 3RU: Annie Jean-Baptiste (2RU 14) 4RU: Katherine Ambrose
Congratulations to Miss Kansas USA 2015 Alexis Railsback and Miss Kansas Teen USA 2015 Melanie Shaner! In a rare occurence, both Alexis and Melanie competed together at Miss Kansas Teen USA last year, placing in the top 16. Alexis is the fourth Miss Kansas USA winner in the past four years to have Teen experience; she was also 4RU in Miss KS Teen USA 2013. Alexis is from Shawnee and Melanie is from Overland Park.
Alexis Railsback & Melanie Shaner. Photo by Laurel Austin.
Three of this year’s top five were also runners-up last year. Alexis’ first runner-up was Rachel Morris who was fourth runner-up in last year’s pageant. Second runner-up was Victoria Wiggins, 1RU last year and third runner-up was Miss Kansas Teen USA 2008 Jessie Colonna, 3RU last year. Rachel Santschi, the only newcomer in the top five, placed fourth runner-up. Miss Kansas Teen USA 2009 Alexis Rewalt placed in the semi-finals for the third year and also won Miss Congeniality.
The Teen top five was dominated by “M"s! As well as Melanie, first runner-up was Makenzie Deines, second runner-up was Maggie Marx and third runner-up was Madison Moore. Fourth runner-up went to Lily Anderson. Madison was the only other contestant in the top five with past experience, she was 2RU last year.
Full results:
Miss Kansas USA 2015 - Alexis Railsback(SF KS TUSA 14, 4RU 13) 1RU: Rachel Morris (4RU 14) 2RU: Victoria Wiggins (1RU 14, SF MO USA 13, SF MO USA 12, 4RU OK TUSA 08, T12 OK TUSA 07) 3RU: Jessie Colonna (2RU 14, NF CA USA 13, Miss Kansas Teen USA 2008) 4RU: Rachel Santschi
Semi-finalists: Taylor Austin (NF AR TUSA 13, NF 12) Fatoumata Bayo Catherine Carmichael (SF 14, SF KS TUSA 09) Lindsay Cunningham (NF 14) Kandice Johnson (NF 14) Julia Jones Alexis Rewalt(SF 14, SF 13, Miss Kansas Teen USA 2009, 2RU 08) Tobie Roberts (4RU KS TUSA 14, NF 13) Meghan Saravanja Kendall Schoenekase (4RU KS TUSA 11) Madeline Winkler
Interview: Kendall Schoenekase Swimsuit: Victoria Wiggins Gown: Alexis Railsback
Alexis Railsback, Rachel Morris, Victoria Wiggins, Jessie Colonna, Rachel Santschi
Miss Kansas Teen USA 2015 - Melanie Shaner(SF 14) 1RU: Makenzie Deines 2RU: Maggie Marx 3RU: Madison Moore (2RU 14, SF 13) 4RU: Lily Anderson
Semi-finalists: Alexandra Adkins (NF 14, SF 13, SF 12) Hailey Colborn Erin Fisher Susan Forgie (SF 14) Stephanie Hamilton Bridget Molitor Alexis Rinne Madison Schoenekase Ashlynn Stuart Danielle Thoele (SF 14) Makennah Whightsil
Congeniality: Madison Schoenekase Photogenic: Melanie Shaner
Interview: Lily Anderson Swimsuit: Melanie Shaner Gown: Madison Moore
Melanie Shaner, Makenzie Deines, Maggie Marx, Madison Moore, Lily Anderson
Renee placed 2RU in last year’s pageant and also has MAO experience, placing 1RU in 2012 and top 10 in 2013. She is only the third titleholder from Middletown (following Ashlee Greenwell in 2006 & Kate Banaszak in 2009). Renee will be the first African-American to represent Delaware at Miss USA. The first to win Miss Delaware USA was Renee Smith in the early 1980’s. She was forced to resign when it was discovered she wasn’t actually from Delaware!
Sierra is from Wilmington and was a semi-finalist last year, one of only two returning SFs in the competition.
In the Miss division, first runner-up went to newcomer Alexandra Vorontsova, the only newbie in the top five. Second runner-up, improving one spot on her 2014 placement, was Jennifer Lilley. Last year’s 1RU Emily Wareheim placed third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to Miss Delaware 2012 Alyssa Murray, who was a semi-finalist in Miss DE USA last year. Renee was 1RU to Alyssa at Miss Delaware! Both special awards went to the top five: Renee won the Miss Photogenic award and Alyssa won Miss Congeniality.
In Teen, Drew Sanclemente placed first runner-up, second runner-up went to Gabrielle Jones, third runner-up was Paige HalesandRebecca Wood placed fourth runner-up. Drew was a non-finalist back in 2011 when she was 14 and had not competed since!
Full results:
Miss Delaware USA 2015 - Renee Bull(2RU 14) 1RU: Alexandra Vorontsova 2RU: Jennifer Lilley (3RU 14, SF 12) 3RU: Emily Wareheim (1RU 14, 2RU MD TUSA 12) 4RU: Alyssa Murray (SF 14, NF 12, NF DE TUSA 08, Miss Delaware 2012)
Semi-finalists: Brooke Burghardt Emily Drake (SF 14, 3RU 13, SF DE TUSA 05) Brandi Knox Amanda Mahadan (NF 14, SF 13) Danielle Mignogna Cimone Philpotts Kassady Sever (2RU DE TUSA 14) Joanna Wicks (SF MD TUSA 12)
Update! Congratulations to Renee Bull, the new Miss Delaware USA 2015 and Sierra Wright, Miss Delaware Teen USA 2015! Click their names to view their profiles, and there’s more coverage on my Facebook page.
Miss Delaware USA and Teen USA 2015 will be crowned on Sunday. There are three returning runners-up from last year, first runner-up Emily Wareheim, a past RU in Maryland Teen as well; second runner-up Renee Bull and third runner-up Jennifer Lilley. Alyssa Murray, a semi-finalist last year and Miss Delaware 2012, is back, as are two other 2014 semi-finalists. Last year’s Teen 2RU Kassady Sever is competing in the Miss division this year.
In Teen there are no returning runners-up and only two returning semi-finalists: Kayla Radfordand Sierra Wright.
2014 Miss top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Jennifer Lilley(3RU),Emily Wareheim(1RU), Kelsey Miller,Renee Bull (3RU), Crystal Rush (4RU)
MISS CONTESTANTS (39) Barbara Barnhart Shameka Brown Renee Bull (2RU 14) Brooke Burghardt Olivia Combs Emily Drake (SF 14, 3RU 13, SF DE TUSA 05) Destiny Drummond Brianna Fedorkowicz Ivana Flores Jasmine Ford Kathryn Franklin Erika Gibbs Jeanette Halliburton Rae'Ven Heard Sarah Heil Jade Holzinger Brandi Knox Jennifer Lilley (3RU 14, SF 12) Amanda Mahadan (NF 14, SF 13) Christen Martinelli Vanessa McKenzie Danielle Mignogna Alyssa Murray (SF 14, NF 12, Miss Delaware 2012, NF DE TUSA 08) Kimberly Nurse (NF 14) Cimone Philpotts Zulekha Pitts Paulina Renda Kaitlin Repella (SF 14, NF DE TUSA 11) Erika Romanowski Kassady Sever (2RU DE TUSA 14) NaTeka Shelton Deja Smith Olivia Spencer Jill Swartzentruber JaShonna Thomas (NF DE TUSA 11) Alexandra Vorontsova Emily Wareheim (1RU 14, 2RU MD TUSA 12) Joanna Wicks (SF MD TUSA 12) Samantha Wierzbicki
TEEN CONTESTANTS (25) EmaLeigh Baker Hayley Bender Rebecca Bristow Cheylan Davenport Jynequa Drummond Darion Gregg Paige Hales Jade Iliopoulos Avona Jones Gabrielle Jones Haylee Kessler Kylie Kidd A-briah Lane Ashley Lawrence Victoria McNeil Alexis Nacchio Elizabeth Pruneda Kayla Radford (SF 14, NF 13) Rebecca Rittenhouse Drew Sanclemente (NF 11) Cierra Smith Skylar West Rebecca Wood Sierra Wright (SF 14) Lawton Young
Update! Congratulations to Renee Bull, the new Miss Virginia USA 2015 and Ann Kutyna, Miss Virginia Teen USA 2015! Click their names to view their profiles, and there’s more coverage on my Facebook page.
Miss Virginia USA and Teen USA 2015 will be crowned on Sunday afternoon. The Miss competition this year is really interesting with past runners-up from five different states competing (two from Virginia last year - Laura Puleo and Kiara Williams, plus Ohio, Maryland, Missouri & North Carolina) as well as past Teen runners-up from Virginia and Maryland. One of those runners-up is Miss Missouri Teen USA 2007 Lauren Petersen who was 1RU in MO last year. Former Miss Virginia 2013 Desiree Williams adds to the list of MAO contestants competing in USA this year, her first time competing in the system. Quite randomly there are a couple of contestants who last competed in 2010 and 2011 and have not returned since. Over a third of contestants have competed in another state previously.
Two of my favourite runners-up from last year are both out now - Maggie Lawson got married in September and Dominique Lee aged out.
Three of the last four Virginia winners had previously competed in a different state, and there is a good chance of that trend continuing this year! Blondes also have history on their side, as VA hasn’t crowned a brunette since 2009.
2014 Miss top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Kiara Williams(4RU),Laura Puleo(2RU), Arielle Rosmarino, Maggie Lawson (1RU), Dominique Lee (3RU)
In Teen there are two runners-up from 2014, Cameron Smith who was 1st runner-up and Davina Seoparson who placed 2nd runner-up. Last year’s third runner-up Kinser Crutchfield was a semi-finalist in Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2015 earlier in the year.
2014 semi-finalist Katie-An Bradley is competing, as is 2013 semi-finalist Alexis Ramsey who is back in Virginia after placing in the top 15 at Miss North Carolina Teen USA last year.
Six of the last eight Miss Virginia Teen USA winners were competing for the first time.
2014 Teen top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Kinser Crutchfield (3RU), Cameron Smith(1RU) Olivia Fletcher,Davina Seoparson (2RU), Ashley Vollrath (3RU)
MISS CONTESTANTS (25) Kristen Adams (SF DC USA 14, SF VA USA 13) Alexandra Albertine Erika Baldwin (NF 14) Kristie Barlow (2RU MD USA 11) Tamar Cecki Lehanna Craft (NF OH USA 14, SF OH USA 12, SF 10, 2RU 09) Terri Arcelia Darden (NF FL USA 10) Meghan Dowell Sidney Durham (NF 14) Brianna Epting Megan Greber (NF 14, NF 12, 4RU VA TUSA 11, 3RU 10) Hallie Hovey-Murray (NF VA TUSA 13) Jamie Hughes Jessica Kennedy (NF FL USA 12, NF 11) Cameryn Mann (SF MD USA 13, SF 12, SF 10) Brittinay Nicolette (SF MD USA 11, 2RU MD TUSA 10, 3RU MD TUSA 09, T17 MD TUSA 08) Meah Ollis (SF TN TUSA 14) Lauren Petersen (1RU MO USA 14, SF MO USA 13, SF MO USA 12, SF MO USA 11, Miss Missouri Teen USA 2007) Laura Puleo (2RU 14, T10 NC USA 13, 2RU NC USA 12) Malissa Sibly (SF 11) Ariel Sorensen Delesia Watson (SF 11) Candace White (NF 14) Desiree Williams (Miss Virginia 2013) Kiara Williams (4RU 14)
TEEN CONTESTANTS (19) Katie-An Bradley (SF 14, NF 12) Morgan Cook Alexandra Crawford Alexis Crosen Caitlyn Harman Corinne Hilton Ashton Kennedy Carson Kirk Ann Kutnya Shiana Miller Kaylee Olivas Monica Osborne Alexis Ramsey (T15 NC TUSA 14, SF 13) Brittany Reiglsperger Davina Seoparsan (2RU 14) Cameron Smith (1RU 14, NF 13) Madison VanDyke Shoshana Warshavsky Monay Wells
Update! Congratulations to Bridget Wilmes , the new Miss Oregon USA 2015 and Kenna Sloy, Miss Oregon Teen USA 2015! Click their names to view their profiles, and there’s more coverage on my Facebook page.
Miss Oregon USA & Teen USA 2015 will be crowned tomorrow afternoon. Contestant lists have been posted, but no photographs.
In the Miss division, the group has shrunk to 12 contestants, compared to 20 last year. This is one of the lowest numbers of any state this year. 2014 second runner-up Kayla Bowker is back, as is 2014 Washington third runner-up and 2013 Oregon second runner-up Tarah Land. Kayla Knock, a Teen semi-finalist in Colorado in 2013 & 2014 is competing in Oregon and in the Miss division for the first time.
After a period from 2010-2012 where three newcomers won in a row the last two winners have had an extensive history in the pageant, so it will be interesting to see what happens for the 2015 title.
Kayla Bowker & Tarah Land(photos from last year)
In contrast, Teen numbers have improved from 9 to 16. Three of last year’s runners-up are competing, first runner-up Kenna Sloy (who was also 3RU in 2013), second runner-up Manju Bangalore and third runner-up Kaylee Davidson. One non-finalist from last year is also back, which means that almost half of last year’s contestants have returned. A semi-finalist from 2013 is also competing.
Kenna Sloy, Manju Bangalore, Kaylee Davidson (photos from last year)
2014 Teen top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Manju Bangalore (2RU), Kaylee Davidson (3RU), Alexandra Perry, Kenna Sloy (1RU), Brooke Eide (4RU)
MISS CONTESTANTS (12) Kayla Bowker (2RU 14) Emma Hammel Kayla Knock (SF CO TUSA 14, SF 13) Tarah Land (3RU WA USA 14, 2RU OR USA 13) Jori Messner Jessica Painter Rachel Sou Sally Spencer Zoe Spritzer Olivia Ann Wetzel (NF 14) Bridget Wilmes (NF 14) Kristin Wirfs
Update! Congratulations to Jessica Scheu, the new Miss Minnesota USA 2015 and Hayden Hammond, Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2015! Click their names to view their profiles, and there’s more coverage on my Facebook page.
Miss Minnesota USA 2014 Haley O'Brien and Miss MN Teen USA Catherine Stanley will crown their successors on Sunday night! I hope that Catherine returns to compete at Miss Minnesota USA before too long, following in Haley’s footsteps. There are almost 30 contestants in Miss and 64 in Teen, their highest number of Teen contestants since 2008.
In the Miss division there three runners-up from last year competing, first runner-up Jessica Scheu, second runner-up Kayla Casciano and fourth runner-up Vanessa VonBehren. Vanessa is one of two former Teens competing this year, as Hannah Corbett (2011) is returning for the first time. Wynona Jane Schewe (who is on the roster simply as “Jane Schewe” this year) was third runner-up in both 2013 and 2012.
2014 Miss top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Brittany Dyshaw (3RU), Jessica Scheu(1RU), Haley O'Brien,Kayla Casciano(2RU), Vanessa VonBehren (4RU)
2013 Miss top five (2015 contestants in bold) -Wynona Jane Schewe (3RU), Brianne Anderson (2RU), Danielle Hooper (W), Kristina Ferdig (1RU), Lindsay Becker (4RU)
In the Teen competition three of last year’s runners-up are competing. Brigitta Zosel was first runner-up, Anna Korger second runner-up and Hayden Hammond was fourth runner-up. Dasia Mestad, a semi-finalist last year and first runner-up in 2013 is also back. There are a number of other semi-finalists and non-finalists competing.
2014 Teen top five (2015 contestants in bold) - Madison Johnson (3RU), Anna Korger(2RU), Catherine Stanley,Brigitta Zozel(1RU),Hayden Hammond(4RU)
MISS CONTESTANTS (32) Alexis Adu-Bobi Ubbah Ali Laura Bakken Amy Bohlen Savannah Brennan Kayla Casciano (2RU 14) Baylie Blark Hannah Corbett (Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2011) Kristin Dight Nettie DuVall Emily Ferrell Shelby Franklin Emily Fredericks Chloe Gunderson Bridget Jacobs Ashley Johnson (NF 14, NF 11, 2RU MN TUSA 10, 1RU MN TUSA 09) Katie Landen Lexy Lentz (NF MN TUSA 14) Megan Micklos (NF 14) Rebekah Nelson Samantha Olson Mary Petersen (SF 13) Samantha Phillipi Rebecca Rieland Jessica Scheu (1RU 14, SF 12, 2RU MN TUSA 11, SF MN TUSA 09, SF MN TUSA 08) Jane Schewe (3RU 13, 3RU 12) Darbie Smith (SF MN TUSA 12) Traci Stork (NF 14) Katie Stout (SF 14) Vanessa VonBehren (4RU 14, Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2007) Alexandra West (SF 14) Alexis Willcox
TEEN CONTESTANTS (64) Shyanne Baynes Michelle Bergh (SF 14) Topanga Brown Alayna Buggs Ashley Buhr Jacqueline Burriss Anna Bushen Annabelle Chaplinski (NF 14) Savannah Cordle Jenna Doyle Nicole Doyle (NF 14) Virginia DuQuette (NF 14) Caley Emmers Deanna Fixell Taylor Fondie Carly Goodhart Violet Grabovska Tegan Gruhot Sophie Gunderson Hayden Hammond (4RU 14) Rachel Harris Gabriella Hawkins Elizabeth Hemauer MacKenzie Hyatt Betsy Jasper Ashley Jeranek Nyssa Jorenby Kristina Kallio Madeline Karlen Kaitlyn Kidder Jolayne Killeen Samantha Knutson Anna Korger (2RU 14) Madison Larus Breonna Lee Sady Ly (NF 13) Alana Martinson Dasia Mestad (SF 14, 1RU 13) Katrina Olson Lillian Olson Camila Payan Ashley Perala Isabel Peters Haley Polin Emily Lyn Powers Sophie Primozich Katie Rapley Olivia Rasmussen Ayla Richardson (NF 14) Carissa Riemers Elizabeth Rono Ashlyn Rosenberg Andrea Rustad (NF 14) Kala Schmidt (SF 14) Brianna Smith Melanie Stoddard Josephine Terry (NF 14) Mikala Thom Cyala Thomas Tinesha Torgstad Karina Twedt Heather Weber Leah Westmoreland Brigitta Zosel (1RU 14)
