Remember, these statistics include sixty (60) competitions between 1954 and 2013 (the television years).
Here's how to read the list:
STATE NAME - 10(5)-W,1,2,3,4
The first number indicates the number of times a state has made the Top 10.
The number in parentheses indicates the number of times has placed in the Top 5.
W = Miss America winner
1 = 1st Runner-up
2 = 2nd Runner-up
3 = 3rd Runner-up
4 = 4th Runner-up
What's interesting about this group is that even though they have some of the best records at Miss America, each state has a period of roughly 15 consecutive years or more when they didn't bring home many awards.
# 11 - ARKANSAS- 17(8)-W,W,1,1,1,2,3,4
Arkansas has given us two MISS AMERICAs: DONNA AXUM in 1963 and ELIZABETH WARD in 1981, both of whom won Swimsuit Prelims. Sally Murphy was Arkansas' first state rep to make Top 10 on television in 1958. The early 1960's were very strong for Arkansas with Frances Anderson winning her Swimsuit Prelim before placing as 1st Runner-up in 1961, then Donna's win in 1963, followed by another 1st runner-up in 1964, Karen Carlson.
Things got a little lean for the next 15 years (1965-1979) with only one Top 10 Finalist in that period, Donna Connelly in 1970. Then in 1980 Lencola Sullivan won her Swimsuit Prelim and placed as 4th Runner-up, the first African-American woman ever to place in the Top 5. Elizabeth's win followed the next year. There were two more Top 10 Finalists in the 80s: Mary Stuart in 1982 and Julie Russell in 1986.
In the 90s, Arkansas saw Nicole Bethmann make Top 10 in1993, Paula Montgomery place as 2nd Runner-up in 1995, Erin Wheatley make Top 10 in 1998 and Brandy Rhodes make Top 10 in 1999. Jessie Ward made Top 10 in 2001, Lacey Fleming placed as 3rd runner-up in 2004, Eudora Mosby made Top 10 in 2005, and Alyse Eady become 1st Runner-up at the 2011 competition.
Arkansas also has a Top 12 Semi-Finalist, two Top 15 Semi-Finalists, a Top 16 Semi-Finalist, three more Swimsuit Prelim wins, a Talent Prelim win, and eight NFT's round out Arkansas' record in the modern ear/television years. Prior to 1954, Arkansas had an additional 1st Runner-up and two 3rd Runners-up.
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| Frances Anderson Miss Arkansas 1961 1st Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner |
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| Karen Carlson Miss Arkansas 1964 1st Runner-up |
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| Lencola Sullivan Miss Arkansas 1980 4th Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner |
# 10 - INDIANA - 17 (10)-W,1,1,2,2,3,4,4,4,4
In 2009, KATIE STAM, Miss Indiana 2008, ended Indiana's run as the state with the best record at Miss America without having ever won the title. In the pre-television era, Hoosier women placed as 1st Runner-up, Carol Mitchell in 1951 and Ann Garnier in 1952.
Indiana's first television era finalist was Tommye Lou Glaze who placed as 4th Runner-up after winning her Talent Prelim in 1960. Then the Hoosier State had a phenomenal span during the 13 years between 1965-1977, when seven contestants made the Top 10 and four of those went on to become Runners-up: Eileen Smith-2nd Runner-up and a Talent Prelim win in 1965, Mary Haglund-Top 10 in 1967 & Talent Prelim win (see a photo of her ice skating in my blog on non-traditional talents), Kit Field-4th Runner-up in 1968, Rebecca Graham-4th Runner-up and a Swimsuit Prelim win in 1972, Penny Tichenor-Top 10 in 1974, Cyndi Legler-Top 10 in 1975, and Barbara Mougin-1st Runner-up in 1977.
The next 14 years were a little lean for Indiana (1978-1991), although that period did see Pam Carlberg become 3rd Runner-up in 1981 and there was Laurie Broderick-Top 10 Finalist and Prelim Talent winner in 1985.
The state had a second run of success in the seven years between 1992 - 1998 when it had two Runners-up: Shelli Yoder-2nd Runner-up in 1992 and a Swimsuit Prelim win, and Tiffany Storm-4th Runner-up and another Swimsuit Prelim win in 1994, and two Top 10 placements: Shani Nielsen-1996 & Talent Prelim win, and Julianne Hackney-1998.
Indiana is also proud of Bryn Chapman-Top 10 Finalist in 2003, and Nicole Rash-1st Runner-up in 2007 and can also claim four more Talent Prelim wins, another Swimsuit Prelim win, a Top 12 semi-finalist, two Top 15 semi-finalists, four NFTs, a Special Judges Award, and a Miss Congeniality.
Indiana's first television era finalist was Tommye Lou Glaze who placed as 4th Runner-up after winning her Talent Prelim in 1960. Then the Hoosier State had a phenomenal span during the 13 years between 1965-1977, when seven contestants made the Top 10 and four of those went on to become Runners-up: Eileen Smith-2nd Runner-up and a Talent Prelim win in 1965, Mary Haglund-Top 10 in 1967 & Talent Prelim win (see a photo of her ice skating in my blog on non-traditional talents), Kit Field-4th Runner-up in 1968, Rebecca Graham-4th Runner-up and a Swimsuit Prelim win in 1972, Penny Tichenor-Top 10 in 1974, Cyndi Legler-Top 10 in 1975, and Barbara Mougin-1st Runner-up in 1977.
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| Eileen Smith Miss Indiana 1965 2nd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner
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The state had a second run of success in the seven years between 1992 - 1998 when it had two Runners-up: Shelli Yoder-2nd Runner-up in 1992 and a Swimsuit Prelim win, and Tiffany Storm-4th Runner-up and another Swimsuit Prelim win in 1994, and two Top 10 placements: Shani Nielsen-1996 & Talent Prelim win, and Julianne Hackney-1998.
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| Shelli Yoder Miss Indiana 1992 2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner |
# 9 - OHIO - 17(12)-W,W,W,1,1,1,2,3,3,4,4,4
What you want to notice about Ohio's record is that 13 of its 17 Top 10 (or better) finalists came in the 24-year period between 1971-1994 (along with 8 non-finalist talent awards-that's a competitive award in 21 of 24 years!). The state didn't do much in the '40s or '50s, but did have a Top 10 Finalist, Barbara Quinlin, also a Talent Prelim winner, at the first televised competition in 1954.
The 60's hit and Ohio started making things happen beginning with JACQUELYN MAYER being named MISS AMERICA 1963 at the 1962 competition. Then Sharon Phillian won her Talent Prelim in 1966 and was named 3rd Runner-up. Ohio closed the 60's with Katherine Baumann's double prelim win in both Swimsuit and Talent on her way to the 1st Runner-up spot in 1969.
The 60's hit and Ohio started making things happen beginning with JACQUELYN MAYER being named MISS AMERICA 1963 at the 1962 competition. Then Sharon Phillian won her Talent Prelim in 1966 and was named 3rd Runner-up. Ohio closed the 60's with Katherine Baumann's double prelim win in both Swimsuit and Talent on her way to the 1st Runner-up spot in 1969.
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| Katherine Baumann Miss Ohio 1969 1st Runner-up & Swimsuit & Talent Prelim winner |
Ohio really took off in the '70s, '80s, and early 90s. LAURIE LEE SCHAEFER won her Swimsuit Prelim in 1971 and was named MISS AMERICA 1972, Susan Banks won her Talent Prelim in 1975 and became 3rd Runner-up, SUSAN PERKINS won Talent in 1977 and became MISS AMERICA 1978, Sher Patrick was 3rd Runner-up in 1978, and Tana Carli won Talent and was 1st Runner-up in 1979.
Kathy Vernon made Top 10 in 1980, Pamela Rigas won her Swimsuit Prelim and was named 4th Runner-up in 1983, Melissa Bradley took 1st Runner-up in 1984, Suellen Cochran was a double prelim winner and made Top 10 in 1985, and Krstin Huffman won her Talent Prelim and was named 4th Runner-up in 1989.
Future television personality Robin Meade made Top 10 as Miss Ohio 1992, then Titilayo Adedokun won her Talent Prelim and was named 2nd Runner-up in 1993. Since Lea Mack's Top 10 Finalist placement in 1994, Ohio has only won two non-finalist talent awards. Ohio has an additional six NFTs in the modern/television era.
Kathy Vernon made Top 10 in 1980, Pamela Rigas won her Swimsuit Prelim and was named 4th Runner-up in 1983, Melissa Bradley took 1st Runner-up in 1984, Suellen Cochran was a double prelim winner and made Top 10 in 1985, and Krstin Huffman won her Talent Prelim and was named 4th Runner-up in 1989.
Future television personality Robin Meade made Top 10 as Miss Ohio 1992, then Titilayo Adedokun won her Talent Prelim and was named 2nd Runner-up in 1993. Since Lea Mack's Top 10 Finalist placement in 1994, Ohio has only won two non-finalist talent awards. Ohio has an additional six NFTs in the modern/television era.
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| Tana Carli Miss Ohio 1979 1st Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner
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Ohio also gave us MARILYN MESEKE, MISS AMERICA 1938 AND the only woman to win the Miss America twice: MARY CATHERINE CAMPBELL, who won in 1922, returned to defend her title and won again in 1923, and who returned a third time and placed as 1st Runner-up in 1924. The rules changed after that to only allow a woman to win the title one time.
# 8 - HAWAII - 19(6)-W,W,1,2,2,4
Did you know that Hawaii has won Miss Congeniality at Miss America seven times?!
Hawaii started sending reps to Miss America in the late 40's, a full decade before it became our 50th state in 1959. There were three Top 10 Finalists in the '50s, including Barbara Vieira in 1955 and Jere Wright in 1956, both of whom won their Swimsuit Prelims, and then Hawaii had one of those strong eras in the early '60s with four consecutive years with a Top 10 placement or better: Joan Vine, Top 10 in 1961, Patricia Anderson's Talent Prelim win and 4th Runner-up in 1962, Susan Pickering's 2nd Runner-up in 1963, and another Top 10 Finalist in 1964, Leina'ala Teruya.
Then things got quiet for Hawaii for about 20 years with just a Top 10 Finalist in 1969, Sheryl Akaka. The state returned to the Top 10 in 1984 with Debbie Nakanelua and again in 1988 with Desiree Cruz, before CAROLYN SAPP brought Hawaii a Swimsuit Prelim win in 1991 and the title of MISS AMERICA 1992. Three more Top 10 Finalists followed during the '90s, Kanoe Aberegg in 1993, Melissa Short in 1996 who also won both her Swimsuit and Talent Prelims, and Erika Kauffman in 1997 who also won her Swimsuit Prelim.
ANGELA BARAQUIO brought home another Swimsuit Prelim win in 2000 and the title of MISS AMERICA 2001 and ushered in another strong era for Hawaii with six finalists in 11 years: Kanoelani Gibson-1st Runner-up and Talent Prelim winner in 2003, Pilialoha Gaison ('06)-Top 10 & Talent Prelim winner, Nicole Fox ('08)-Top 10, Raeceen Woolford ('09)-Top 7, and Jalee Fuselier ('10)-2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner.
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| Patricia Anderson Miss Hawaii 1962 4th Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner
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ANGELA BARAQUIO brought home another Swimsuit Prelim win in 2000 and the title of MISS AMERICA 2001 and ushered in another strong era for Hawaii with six finalists in 11 years: Kanoelani Gibson-1st Runner-up and Talent Prelim winner in 2003, Pilialoha Gaison ('06)-Top 10 & Talent Prelim winner, Nicole Fox ('08)-Top 10, Raeceen Woolford ('09)-Top 7, and Jalee Fuselier ('10)-2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner.
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| Kanoelani Gibson Miss Hawaii 2003 1st Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner |
# 7 - NEW YORK- 20(9)-W,W,W,W,1,2,3,4,4
Did you know that Miss New York City competed at Miss America separate from and in addition to Miss New York State between 1941-1963?
And did you know that Miss New York City made the finals ten years in a row between 1941-1950? This group included New York's first, and one of the all-time most famous, MISS AMERICAs-BESS MYERSON, a double prelim winner in 1945, and the only Jewish Miss America to date. She served as a co-host/color commentator on the telecast for many years, well into the 1960's.
Our most populous state until the 1970 census, New York had its dry spell in the early days of television when there was only one Top 10 Finalist, Bonnie Jo Marquis-1959 & Swimsuit Prelim win) in the first 14 years of the telecast. Then there was a three-year spurt of Top 10 Finalists in 1968, Patricia Burmeister; 1969, Linda Trybus; and 1970, Katherine Karlsrud.
TAWNY GODIN, Miss New York 1975, won the honor of serving as MISS AMERICA 1976 and reigned over our Bicentennial celebrations (Side note: That year, contestants were introduced in the order in which their state joined the Union, not in alphabetical order). She was followed by Sonja Anderson who won her Talent Prelim and was named 4th Runner-up in 1976. Three more consecutive Top 10 Finalists followed in 1979, Kelli Krull & Talent Prelim win; 1980, Cheryl Flannagan & Talent Prelim win; & 1981, Suzanne Alexander & Talent Prelim win, before VANESSA WILLIAMS, Miss New York 1983, won both her Swimsuit and Talent Prelims and became MISS AMERICA 1984. (Did you notice that New York won five Talent Prelims in six years during that period?) Vanessa was followed by another Top 10 Finalist in 1984, Mary-Ann Farrell.
TAWNY GODIN, Miss New York 1975, won the honor of serving as MISS AMERICA 1976 and reigned over our Bicentennial celebrations (Side note: That year, contestants were introduced in the order in which their state joined the Union, not in alphabetical order). She was followed by Sonja Anderson who won her Talent Prelim and was named 4th Runner-up in 1976. Three more consecutive Top 10 Finalists followed in 1979, Kelli Krull & Talent Prelim win; 1980, Cheryl Flannagan & Talent Prelim win; & 1981, Suzanne Alexander & Talent Prelim win, before VANESSA WILLIAMS, Miss New York 1983, won both her Swimsuit and Talent Prelims and became MISS AMERICA 1984. (Did you notice that New York won five Talent Prelims in six years during that period?) Vanessa was followed by another Top 10 Finalist in 1984, Mary-Ann Farrell.
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| Sonja Anderson Miss New York 1976 4th Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner |
Marisol Montalvo won her Talent Prelim before being named 1st Runner-up in 1991, and there was another Top 10 Finalist in 1995, Helen Goldsby & Talent Prelim win. Andrea Plummer was named 4th Runner-up in 2001, Tiffany Walker made Top 10 in 2002 and won her Swimsuit Prelim, Christina Ellington made Top 10 in 2004, Leigh Taylor-Smith was named 3rd Runner-up after winning her Swimsuit Prelim in 2009, and Kaitlin Monte was named 2nd Runner-up after winning her Swimsuit Prelim in 2011.
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| Marisol Montalvo Miss New York 1991 1st Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner
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Then New York became the 3rd state in history to send women who won Miss America back-to-back: MALLORY HAGAN and NINA DAVULURI in the two 2013 competitions (neither of whom won a prelim). Along the way, New York has also won an additional Talent Prelim, an additional Swimsuit Prelim, had a Top 12 Semi-Finalist, and 10 NFTs, including two NFT awards in 1963-when both Miss New York City (Best Dancer) AND Miss New York State (Best Variety Act) took home Non-Finalist Talent awards
Tomorrow I'll finish the list with those states that rank from 6th to 1st place.
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