#results recaps

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

First time contestant Chloe Kembel is the new Miss Texas Teen USA 2015, joining her sister titleholder Ylianna Guerra who was crowned in late August.  

Chloe is the first newcomer since Danielle Doty in 2011 to win Miss TX Teen USA.  She is 15 and from Denton, the second consecutive winner from the DFW area.  She competed as Miss North Central Texas Teen USA.  Chloe is only the second Photogenic winner to also win the title in the past eight years.

Chloe is crowned Miss Texas Teen USA.  Photo by Select Studios.

First runner-up went to Miss Capital of Texas Teen USA Allison Higginbotham, a semi-finalist in both 2013 and 2014.  Second runner-up was 2014 non-finalist Cary Villareal, Miss Rio Grande Valley Teen USA.  Third runner-up went to Lanie McAlpin of San Antonio, last year’s first runner-up.  Fourth runner-up went to Miss Dallas Teen USA Brenna Flynn, an outstanding achievement as she is only 14 years old!  This was the second consecutive year that Dallas (which holds a local pageant to select their Miss and Teen titleholders) made the top five at Miss Texas Teen USA - outgoing Miss Texas Teen USA Kellie Stewart was Miss Dallas Teen 2013.

Full results:

Miss Texas Teen USA 2015 - Chloe Kembel
1RU: Allison Higginbotham (SF 14, SF 13)
2RU: Cary Villarreal (NF 14)
3RU: Lanie McAlpin (1RU 14)
4RU: Brenna Flynn

Semi-finalists:
Dasha Brotherton (NF 14)
Sheridan Donevant (Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen 2013)
Danielle Foreman  
Tulasi Gopalan (NF 14) 
Ashley Harris (SF 14, SF 13)
Karlie Hay 
Victoria Hinojosa 
Taylor Houston  
Taylor Kessler  
Livia Lavender  
Thekla McCarty 
Mary Frances Nance 
Yvonne Zerda  (SF 12, NF 11)

Congeniality: Chandler Foreman
Photogenic: Chloe Kembel

Chloe Kembel, Allison Higginbotham, Cary Villareal, Lanie McAlpin, Brenna Flynn

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

Congeniality: Caitlyn Harman
Photogenic: Alexis Ramsey

Ann Kutyna, Davina Seoparsan, Alexis Ramsey, Cameron Smith, Alexis Crosen

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)

Congeniality: Megan Micklos 
Photogenic: Bridget Jacobs

Jessica Scheu, Jane Schewe, Bridget Jacobs, Hannah Corbett, Katie Stout

Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2015 - Hayden Hammond (4RU 14)
1RU: Dasia Mestad (SF 14, 1RU 13)
2RU: Brigitta Zosel (1RU 14)
3RU: Sophia Primozich
4RU: Camila Payan

Semi-finalists:
Jacqueline Burriss 
Taylor Fondie
Sophie Gunderson 
Betsy Jasper 
Madeline Karlen 
Anna Korger (2RU 14)
Isabel Peters 
Ayla Richardson  (NF 14)
Andrea Rustad  (NF 14)
Brianna Smith 

Congeniality: Brigitta Zosel 
Photogenic: MacKenzie Hyatt

Hayden Hammond, Dasia Mestad, Brigitta Zosel, Sophia Primozich, Camila Payan

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)

Semi-finalists:
Kayla Bowker  (2RU 14)
Jori Messner
Rachel Sou
Sally Spencer
Kristin Wirfs

Congeniality: Sally Spencer
Photogenic: Tarah Land

Bridget Wilmes, Emma Hamel, Olivia Wetzel, Tarah Land, Kayla Knock

Miss Oregon USA 2015 - Kenna Sloy (1RU 14, 3RU 13)
1RU: Kelsey Panek 
2RU: Bridgette Wallace
3RU: Kaylee Davidson (3RU 14)
4RU: Casee Lantz

Semi-finalists:
Manju Bangalore (2RU 14)
Iyana Irving
Kendra Land
Julia Pearson (SF OR TUSA 13)
Mariah Vettrus

Congeniality: Shelby Tiller
Photogenic: Kelsey Panek

Kenna Sloy, Kelsey Panek, Bridgette Wallace, Kaylee Davidson, Casee Lantz

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

Semi-finalists:
Lindsay Abrams 
Lindsay Bean (NF 14)
Olivia Jones
Brynn O’Connor
Janay Wright

Congeniality: Janay Wright
Photogenic: Brynn O'Connor

Heather Elwell, Alfine Nathalie, Brooke Harris, Annie Jean-Baptiste, Katherine Ambrose

Miss Maine Teen USA 2015 - Skyler Gaudette
1RU: Alexis Wintle
2RU: Delaney Shiers
3RU: Alexandria Stevenson (1RU 14)
4RU: Katherine Stoddard

Semi-finalists:
Carissa Erickson
Sofia Flores-Boynton
Jessica Stewart
Mikaelyn Teel  (2RU 14)
Samantha White

Congeniality: Mani Reynolds
Photogenic:Carissa Erickson

Skyler Gaudette, Alexis Wintle, Delaney Shiers, Alexandria Stevenson, Katherine Stoddard

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

Congeniality: Alexis Rewalt
Photogenic: Meghan Saravanja

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

Miss Delaware USA 2015 is Renee Bull and Miss Delaware Teen USA 2015 is Sierra Wright!  

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)

Congeniality: Alyssa Murray
Photogenic: Renee Bull

Renee Bull, Alexandra Vorontsova, Jennifer Lilley, Emily Wareheim, Alyssa Murray

Miss Delaware Teen USA 2015 - Sierra Wright(SF 14)
1RU: Drew Sanclemente (NF 11)
2RU: Gabrielle Jones 
3RU: Paige Hales 
4RU: Rebecca Wood

Semi-finalists:
EmaLeigh Baker 
Jade Iliopoulos 
Elizabeth Pruneda 
Kayla Radford  (SF 14, NF 13)
Cierra Smith 

Congeniality: Hayley Bender 
Photogenic: Kayla Radford

Sierra Wright, Drew Sanclemente, Gabrielle Jones, Paige Hales, Rebecca Wood