Miss USA special awards
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The following tables list the winners of the special awards given to candidates at the Miss USA pageant.
Contents |
[edit] Miss Congeniality
The first Miss Congeniality award specific to the Miss USA pageant was given out in 1965. Prior to 1965, the award could be won by either Miss USA or Miss Universe contestants because both pageants were being held jointly. This is the only award voted on by the delegates themselves. The name of the award has changed a number of times over the years, and has been known as "Miss Unity" and "Miss Amity". The current definition of the award is that it "reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant."
As of 2008, Vermont has received the most awards (five), with Minnesota second (three). Only one Miss USA winner, Chelsi Smith (1995), has also been voted Miss Congeniality, although three first runner-ups have also received this award.
(*) denotes winners of Miss Congeniality during the years the award was given to either Miss USA or Miss Universe contestants
| Year | Winner | State | Placement at MUSA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952* | AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANT | |||
| 1953* | Jeanne Thompson |  Louisiana |
Semi-finalist | Previously Miss Louisiana 1951 and Miss Louisiana USA 1952; 1st runner-up at Miss USA 1952; only woman to compete at Miss USA pageant twice |
| 1954-1959* | AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANTS | |||
| 1960* | Judy Fletcher (tie) | Louisiana |
Semi-finalist | tied with Myint Myint May of Burma to win the award |
| 1961-1963* | AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANTS | |||
| 1964* | Jeanne Venables |  California |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1965 | Elizabeth Carroll |  Minnesota |
Semi-finalist | |
| Bonnie Perkins |  Tennessee |
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| 1966 | Linda Leafdale |  Wyoming |
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| 1967 | Sandra Baldwin |  Idaho |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1968 | Julia Pinkley |  Kentucky |
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| 1969 | Mary Verdiana |  Vermont |
1st runner-up | |
| 1970 | Diane Swendeman |  Texas |
Top 15 | |
| 1971 | Diane Knaub |  Colorado |
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| 1972 | Peggy Moore |  Utah |
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| 1973 | Kiki Kirkland |  South Carolina |
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| 1974 | Donna Thornton | Vermont |
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| 1975 | Constance Crabtree | Vermont |
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| 1976 | Connie Clark (tie) | Kentucky |
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| Dorothy Westphal (tie) |  South Dakota |
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| 1977 | Linda LeFevre |  Florida |
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| 1978 | Nancy Wierzbicki | Vermont |
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| 1979 | Pam Williams | Wyoming |
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| 1980 | Robbin English |  Montana |
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| 1981 | Cynthia Kirby | California |
3rd runner-up | Also Miss Photogenic |
| 1982 | Toni McFadden |  Alaska |
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| 1983 | Dan Ruth Mintzer |  Iowa |
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| 1984 | Diane Gadoury |  New Hampshire |
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| 1985 | Martha Browning | Tennessee |
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| 1986 | Lisa Summerour-Perry |  New Jersey |
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| 1987 | Lori Lynn Dickerson[1] | California |
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| 1988 | Elva Anderson[2] |  District of Columbia |
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| 1989 | Kimberly Nicewonder |  Virginia |
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| 1990 | Janet Tveita[3] | Minnesota |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1991 | Charlotte Ray[4] | New Jersey |
1st runner-up | |
| 1992 | Alesia Prentiss[5] |  Nevada |
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| 1993 | Stacey Blaine[6] |  Massachusetts |
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| 1994 | Denise White |  Oregon |
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| 1995 | Chelsi Smith | Texas |
Miss USA 1995 | MISS UNIVERSE 1995 |
| 1996 | Ku'ualoha Taylor |  Hawaii |
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| 1997 | Napiera Groves[7] | District of Columbia |
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| 1998 | Vera Morris[8] |  North Carolina |
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| 1999 | Cara Jackson |  Arizona |
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| 2000 | Michele Kaplan | Hawaii |
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| 2001 | Monica Palumbo[9] | North Carolina |
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| 2002 | Meredith McCannel | Montana |
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| 2003 | Breann Parriott[10] |  Washington |
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| 2004 | Michelle Fongemie[11] | Vermont |
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| 2005 | Melissa Young[12] |  Wisconsin |
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| 2006 | Dottie Cannon[13] | Minnesota |
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| 2007 | Stephanie Trudeau | Montana |
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| 2008 | Monica Day |  Ohio |
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[edit] Miss Photogenic
Like Miss Congeniality, the first Miss Photogenic award specific to the Miss USA pageant was given out in 1965, as prior to this the award could be won by either Miss USA or Miss Universe contestants. The winner of the award was initially chosen by the press, however this was changed to an internet vote in the late 1990s. The most recent definition of the Miss Photogenic award is that it defines "beauty behind the lens of a camera".
The most successful state as of 2008 is Virginia, which has garnered six awards. The next most successful states are Louisiana and Texas, each tied with four, followed by California with three. Coincidentally, California (1966 & 1992) and Louisiana (1961 & 1996) both have two Miss USA winners each who have also been voted Miss Photogenic, the most from any state to win the award and the title. Virginia has the only other Miss USA/Miss Photogenic winner (1970).
(*) denotes winners of Miss Photogenic during the years the award was given to either Miss USA or Miss Universe contestants
| Year | Winner | State | Placement at MUSA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952-1955 | NO AWARD | |||
| 1956-1960* | AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANTS | |||
| 1961* | Sharon Brown | Louisiana |
Miss USA 1961 | won award when she won Miss USA as Miss Louisiana USA 1961, then immediately competed in Miss Universe as Miss USA placing 4th runner-up |
| 1962-1964* | AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANTS | |||
| 1965 | Cheryl Semrad |  Oklahoma |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1966 | Maria Remenyi | California |
Miss USA 1966 | |
| 1967 | Elizabeth Kallmyer | Virginia |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1968 | Kathy Hebert | Louisiana |
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| 1969 | Susan Hawkins | Colorado |
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| 1970 | Deborah Shelton | Virginia |
Miss USA 1970 | |
| 1971 | Brenda Miller | Virginia |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1972 | Susan Peters | Texas |
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| 1973 | Janice Geiler |  Nebraska |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1974 | Barbara Cooper |  New York |
1st runner-up | |
| 1975 | Pamela Flowers |  Alabama |
1st runner-up | |
| 1976 | Liz Wickersham |  Georgia |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1977 | Elizabeth Curran |  Illinois |
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| 1978 | Suzanna Timberlake | Tennessee |
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| 1979 | Michele Sandoval |  New Mexico |
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| 1980 | Jineane Marie Ford (tie) | Arizona |
1st Runner-Up | |
| Elizabeth Thomas (tie) | Ohio |
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| 1981 | Cynthia Kerby | California |
3rd runner-up | Also Miss Congeniality |
| 1982 | Sandra Dee Jones | Virginia |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1983 | Lisa Allred | Texas |
1st runner-up | |
| 1984 | Laura Shaw | Texas |
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| 1985 | Robin Kay Overby | Kentucky |
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| 1986 | Beth King | Wyoming |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1987 | Sophia Bowen | Georgia |
4th runner-up | |
| 1988 | Rowanne Brewer[14] |  Maryland |
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| 1989 | Elizabeth Primm | Louisiana |
3rd runner-up | |
| 1990 | Stephanie Teneyck[3] |  Mississippi |
Semi-finalist | |
| 1991 | Pat Arnold[4] | North Carolina |
Finalist | |
| 1992 | Shannon Marketic[5] | California |
Miss USA 1992 | |
| 1993 | Kelly Hu[6] | Hawaii |
Top 5 Finalist | Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1985 and Miss Teen USA 1985 |
| 1994 | Patricia Southall[15] | Virginia |
1st Runner-Up | |
| 1995 | Nichole Holmes | Illinois |
2nd runner-up | |
| 1996 | Ali Landry | Louisiana |
Miss USA 1996 | Previously Miss Louisiana Teen USA 1990 |
| 1997 | Audra Wilks | Virginia |
Previously Miss Virginia Teen USA 1988 | |
| 1998 | Sonja Glenn[16] | South Carolina |
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| 1999 | Elyzabeth Pham | Wisconsin |
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| 2000 | Paige Swenson | Minnesota |
Previously Miss Minnesota Teen USA 1994 | |
| 2001 | Katee Doland | Colorado |
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| 2002 | Shannon Ford[17] | Florida |
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| 2003 | Sarah Cahill[10] | Minnesota |
Previously Miss Minnesota Teen USA 1996 | |
| 2004 | Jennifer Sherrill[11] |  Arkansas |
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| 2005 | Tyler Willis[12] | Texas |
Top 15 | |
| 2006 | Cristin Duren[18] | Florida |
4th runner-up | First woman to win Miss Photogenic at both Miss Teen USA (1997) and Miss USA (previously Miss Florida Teen USA 1997) |
| 2007 | Rebecca Moore | Alabama |
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| 2008 | Courtney Carroll | Alaska |
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[edit] Best in Swimsuit Award
- This prize was first awarded in 1992 by Catalina until 1993. In 1994-1998 by Jantzen. In 1999-2000 by Speedo. In 2001 by Pieces from Bikini.com, & In 2002 by Bluepoint. Since 2002, it is no longer handed out.
| Year | Winner | State | Placement at MUSA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Candace Brown | Alabama |
1st Runner-up | |
| 1993 | Erin Nance | Georgia |
1st Runner-up | Previously Miss Georgia Teen USA 1988 |
| 1994 | Patricia Southall | Virginia |
1st Runner-up | |
| 1995 | Chelsi Smith | Texas |
MISS USA 1995 | MISS UNIVERSE 1995 |
| 1996 | Danielle Boatwright |  Kansas |
1st Runner-up | Previously Miss Kansas Teen USA 1992 |
| 1997 | Angelia Savage | Florida |
Top 6 Finalist | |
| 1998 | Shawnae Jebbia | Massachusetts |
MISS USA 1998 | |
| 1999 | Lauren Poppell (tie) | South Carolina |
3rd Runner-up | Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 1993 |
| Angelique Breaux (tie) | California |
2nd Runner-up | Became Miss World USA 2000 (Semi-Finalist at Miss World Pageant) | |
| 2000 | Lynnette Cole | Tennessee |
MISS USA 2000 | Previously Miss Tennessee Teen USA 1995 |
| 2001 | Larissa Meek |  Missouri |
4th Runner-up | Previously Miss Missouri Teen USA 1997 |
| 2002 | Lanore Vanburen | Minnesota |
3rd Runner-up |
[edit] Style Award
- This award was first awarded in 1995 By Vibrance for the Best Sense of Hair Style, The award was given out by Finesse Shampoo in 1996, it was not presented in 1997-1998. In 1999-2001 the award was presented by Clairol Shampoo. Since 2001, it is no longer handed out.
| Year | Winner | State | Placement at MUSA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Lynn Vesnefski | Hawaii |
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| 1996 | Becca Lee | Tennessee |
2nd Runner-up | |
| 1997-1998 | NO AWARD | |||
| 1999 | Kellie Lightbourne | Virginia |
Semi-Finalist | |
| 2000 | Kristin Ludecke | Florida |
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| 2001 | Megan Gunning | Maryland |
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[edit] References
- ^ "Column: PEOPLE", The Orange County Register, 1987-02-13.
- ^ Milloy, Courtland. "Beauty is Having Your Act Together", The Washington Post, 1988-05-22, p. D.03. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ a b "Detroit's Carole Gist Is Miss USA", Washington Post, 1990-03-03, p. d.09.
- ^ a b Curtright, Bob. "Homegrown Beauty Miss Kansas wins Miss USA title", The Wichita Eagle, 1991-02-23, p. 1A.
- ^ a b Lewis, Diane. "Stepping out with Glitz - State Icons", The Wichita Eagle, 1992-02-05, p. 1A.
- ^ a b Lewis, Diane. "Miss Kansas Getting Attention as Pageant Ceremonies Begin", The Wichita Eage, 1993-02-17, p. 1A.
- ^ Warrick, Camilla. "Living her Lessons: Pageant Winner Leaving Her Job to Chase Dream", The Cincinnati Post, 1997-05-27.
- ^ "Miss Massachusetts selected Miss USA in Shreveport", The Advocate, 1998-03-11.
- ^ Price, Mark. "Miss Congeniality Turns on Personality, Chews the Fat as a Pageant Insider", Charlotte Observer, 2001-03-31, p. 1F. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ a b Miss Universe Organization (2003-03-24). "Miss Massachusetts USA, Susie Castillo, Crowned Miss USA 2003 During Live NBC Telecast on March 24". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ a b "Miss Missouri, Crowned Miss USA(R) 2004 During Live NBC Telecast on April 12.", PR Newswire, 2004-04-13.
- ^ a b "Miss North Carolina USA, Chelsea Cooley Crowned MISS USA 2005 During Live NBC Telecast On April 11th", Patriot News, 2005-04-11. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ Miss Universe Organization (2006-04-21). "Miss Kentucky Crowned Miss USA 2006 During Live NBC Telecast on April 21st". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ "Personalities", The Washington Post, 1990-12-10, p. d.03. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ Little, Robert. "Mom's Death Inspired Miss USA contestant", The Virginian Pilot, 1994-02-13, p. B3. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ "Shawnae Jebbia of Massachusetts Crowned "Miss USA 1998"", Business Wire, 1998-03-11.
- ^ "Miss District of Columbia USA, Shauntay Hinton Crowned Miss USA(R) 2002 During Live CBS Telecast on March 1.", PR Newswire, 2002-03-02.
- ^ Lovett, Valerie. "Miss Florida looks to future: Panama City Beach woman remains optimistic after placing fifth in nationwide pageant.", News Herald, 2006-05-15. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
[edit] External links
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