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
This group can be proud of a very special statistic:
Notice that with 11 of these 12 states (and Maryland is very close here as well), when they have made Top 10,
their titleholder has gone on to place in the Top 5 at least 50% OF THE TIME OR BETTER!
# 34 - MARYLAND - 9(4)-1,3,3,4
"Cha, Cha CHA!" exclaimed buttons and banners throughout Convention Hall in 1989 when classical pianist Virginia Cha placed as 1st Runner-up, becoming the first woman from Maryland to ever place in the Top 5, and Maryland had been sending representatives EVERY year to Miss America since its creation in 1921. In addition to Keri Schraeder's 3rd Runner-up placement in 1999, Camille Lewis' 4th Runner-up/Prelim Talent win awards in 2002, and Marina Harrison's 3rd Runner-up placement in 2003, Maryland also has six Top 10 Finalists: Ingrid Larson-1967, Kathleen Neff-1972, Barbara Jennings-1976, Tamara Walker-1987, Joanna Guy (2012)-January, 2013, Christina Denny (2013)-September, 2013, three other Talent Prelim wins, a Swimsuit Prelim win, a Top 20 Semi-Finalist, 4 NFTs and a Special Judges Award.
 |
| Virginia Cha Miss Maryland 1989 1st Runner-up |
# 33 - DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 9(5) - 1,1,3,3,4
Washington, DC, the city that gave us our very first MISS AMERICA, MARGARET GORMAN, in 1921, and 1944's MISS AMERICA, VENUS RAMEY (a double prelim winner), has a record that is even more impressive than it looks at first glance. In the last 60 years, DC has sent a titleholder to Miss America only 33 times. (1954-1963, 1984-1989, and 1997-present). In the first ten years that Miss America was on television, Miss DC placed as 1st Runner-up twice (Margo Lucey in 1956 and Roseann Tueller in 1963, who was also a double prelim winner) and as 3rd Runner-up once (Ruth Rea in 1960 who also won her Swimsuit Prelim). Since its permanent return to competition in 1997, DC has had another 3rd Runner-up (Marshawn Evans) and a 4th Runner-up (Shannon Schambeau). DC is also proud of four Top 10 Finalists (Linda Weisbrod in 1954 & Talent Prelim win, Nicole Messina in 1998 & Talent Prelim win, Kate Grinold in 2009, and Jennifer Corey in 2010). DC can also claim 3 Swimsuit Prelim wins, 3 Talent Prelim wins, and 3 Non-Finalist Talent (NFTs) awards.
 |
| Roseann Tueller Miss District of Columbia 1963 1st Runner-up & Swimsuit & Talent Prelim winner |
# 32 - NEW JERSEY - 9(6) - 1,2,2,2,2,3
New Jersey, home to the Miss America competition for all but 8 years, was right there the only time that a 1st Runner-up has stepped in to become Miss America. SUZETTE CHARLES, Miss New Jersey 1983 and a Prelim Talent winner, served as MISS AMERICA 1984 for about two months prior to the 1984 competition. NJ's best era was the 15 years between 1969-1983 when five women placed as runners-up to Miss America: Cheryl Carter-2nd Runner-up in 1969; Suzanne Plummer-2nd Runner-up and Swimsuit Prelim winner in 1973; Mary D'Arcy-3rd Runner-up in 1977; Therese Hanley-2nd Runner-up in 1980; and Suzette's 1st Runner-up and Talent Prelim win in 1983. Jennifer Makris was named 2nd Runner-up in 1994. In the television era, NJ has also had three Top 10 Finalists: Michele Sexton in 1993, Victoria Paige in 1999,and Jill Horner in 2000, a Top 15 Semi-Finalist, two Swimsuit Prelim wins, and 12 NFTs.
 |
| Suzanne Plummer Miss New Jersey 1973 2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner |
# 31 - COLORADO - 9(6) - W,W,W,1,2,3
SHARON KAY RITCHIE claimed Colorado's first MISS AMERICA title in 1955 and then saw her fellow Denver resident MARIAN McKNIGHT take the title two years later. REBECCA KING brought a third MISS AMERICA title home to Colorado in 1973. Colorado had an impressive run in the late 80's when three consecutive titleholders placed as runners-up: LaTanya Hall-3rd Runner-up in '87, Maya Walker-1st Runner-up in '88, and Debbie Riecks-2nd Runner-up in '89 and were followed by Top 10 Finalist Karrie Mitchell who also won her Swimsuit Prelim in 1990. In the television era, Colorado also has two more Top 10 Finalists: Cheryl Sweeten in 1963 and Adria Easton in 1969, a Top 12 Semi-Finalist and 9 NFTs.
 |
| Maya Walker Miss Colorado 1988 1st Runner-up |
# 30 - MISSOURI- 10(6) - W,2,3,3,4,4
DEBBYE TURNER brought it home to Missouri in 1989 when, after her Swimsuit Prelim win, she heard Gary Collins call her name as MISS AMERICA 1990. Her win fell in the middle of an impressive era for Missouri. Starting with Tamara Tungate's 4th Runner-up & Swimsuit prelim win in 1986, Missouri's titleholders placed in the Top 10 or better five times in the seven years between 1986-1992, including Soncee Brown's 2nd Runner-up award in 1991. The Top 10 Finalists during that period included: Robin Riley in 1987 and Stephanie Patterson in 1992. In the television era, Missouri has also had two 3rd Runners-up: Susan Wilson-1979 and Deborah MacDonald-1998, a 4th Runner-up, Kimberly Massaro-1996, and two more Top 10s, Sara Cooper in 1957 & Talent Prelim win, and Barbara Webster in 1983 & Talent Prelim win. Missouri can also claim a Top 12, a Top 15, and a Top 20 Semi-Finalist, two Talent Prelim wins and four NFTs.
 |
| Soncee Brown Miss Missouri 1991 2nd Runner-up |
# 29 - MINNESOTA - 10(7)-W,W,3,4,4,4,4
Any year that a Miss Minnesota wins a Talent Prelim award, watch out! Minnesota is home to three Miss Americas: Swimsuit Prelim winner BEBE SHOPP (Miss Minnesota & MISS AMERICA 1948), double prelim winner (Swimsuit and Talent) DOROTHY BENHAM (Miss Minnesota 1976/MISS AMERICA 1977), and Talent Prelim winner GRETCHEN CARLSON (Miss Minnesota 1988/MISS AMERICA 1989). Interestingly, each of its five runners-up in the television era were also prelim winners: Nancee Parkinson-1961 (4th Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim win), Barbara Hasselberg-1964 (4th Runner-up & Talent Prelim win), Judy Mendenhall-1969 (4th Runner-up & Talent Prelim win), Lauren Green-1984 (3rd Runner-up & Talent Prelim win), and Rebecca Yeh-September, 2013 (4th Runner-up & Talent Prelim win) . PLUS, its two pre-tv era runners-up were also prelim winners: Elaine Campbell-1st Runner-up & Talent Prelim win in 1947, and Arlene Anderson-4th Runner-up and Talent Prelim win in 1945. Minnesota has seen three other titleholders place in the Top 10 in the tv era: Charlotte Sims-1967, Sheila Bernhagen-1971, and Laurie Saarinen-1982, and the state can claim two more Swimsuit Prelim wins and 10 NFTs.
 |
| Lauren Green Miss Minnesota 1984 3rd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner |
# 28 - MICHIGAN - 11(6)-W,W,W,W,3,4
The 1960's opened and closed with a Miss Michigan becoming Miss America with NANCY FLEMING (a double prelim winner) winning in 1960 and PAMELA ELDRED (a Swimsuit Prelim winner) in 1969. KAYE LANI RAE RAFKO (another Swimsuit Prelim winner) inspired the commitment to a platform of community service when she won in 1987, and KRISTEN HAGLUND, Miss Michigan 2007 and yet another Swimsuit Prelim Winner brought another title home to Michigan in 2008. Michigan is also home to PATRICIA DONNELLY, MISS AMERICA 1939. The state had an intense three years when it watched Alecia Rae Masalkoski place in the Top 10 in 1985, to be followed by Kelly Garver, a Talent Prelim winner and 3rd Runner-up in 1986 , and then Kaye Lani's Miss America win in '87. In the tv era, Michigan also has 4th Runner-up Janice Somers in 1954, five Top 10 Finalists: Janice Johnson-1954 & Talent Prelim win, Carole van Valin Chirgwin-1962, Che'vonne Burton-2000, Stacy Essebaggers-2001, and Ashlee Baracy-2008, a Top 15 Semi-Finalist, three more Talent Prelim wins, and 11 NFTs. As we sit up and take notice when Minnesota wins Talent, we should do the same when Michigan wins Swimsuit.
 |
| Kelly Lynn Garver Miss Michigan 1986 3rd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner |
# 27 - IOWA - 12(6)-1,1,2,2,3,4
Iowa has almost brought home the Miss America title twice: in 1958 when Joanne MacDonald placed as 1st Runner-up and again in 1992 when Catherine Lemkau won both a Swimsuit and a Talent Prelim and placed as 1st Runner-up. Catherine's awards capped an impressive three-year run for Iowa following Kerri Rosenberg's Top 10 finish in 1990 and Lisa Somodi's Talent Prelim win and 3rd Runner-up placement in 1991. Iowans are also proud of two 2nd Runners-up: Susan Thompson in 1968 and Olivia Myers, 2008, a 4th Runner-up: Mariah Cary, 2012, five additional Top 10 Finalists, Lynda Formanek-1967, Renee Stuedemann-1972, Lori Froeling-1979, Diana Reed-2007 & Talent Prelim win, and Jessica Pray-2011, another Swimsuit Prelim win, another Talent Prelim win, a Non-Finalist Interview win, and an impressive 13 NFTs. Iowa sent the first-ever African-American woman to Miss America as a state titleholder when Cheryl Browne became Miss Iowa 1970.
 |
| Catherine Lemkau Miss Iowa 1992 1st Runner-up & Swimsuit and Talent Prelim winner |
# 26 - OREGON - 12(6) - W,1,1,2,3,3
Oregon is another state with one of those impressive eras. In the five years spanning 1993 through 1997, Oregon saw Elizabeth Simmons become 3rd Runner-up in 1993, Emily Orton-1st Runner-up in 1995, Patricia Leines-2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit and Talent Prelim wins, and Tamara Finch-Top 10 Finalist in 1997. Of course, Oregon joined the ranks of states with a Miss America win when KATIE HARMAN won a Talent Prelim and was named MISS AMERICA 2002 just days after 9/11. Oregon is also home to an additional 1st Runner-up, Dorothy Johnson in 1955, and an additional 3rd Runner-up, Marjean Langley in 1968, along with five more Top 10 Finalists: Judith Hansen-1957 & Talent Prelim win, Martha Wyatt-1962, Sue Pack-1967, Suzanne Bunker-1977, and Julie Ross-1981, two Top 15 Semi-Finalists, another Swimsuit prelim win, another Talent Prelim win, a Non-Finalist Interview award, and seven NFTs.
 |
| Emily Orton Miss Oregon 1995 1st Runner-up |
# 25 - ARIZONA - 12(7) - W,3,3,3,4,4,4
VONDA KAY VAN DYKE celebrates her 50th anniversary of becoming MISS AMERICA 1965 this year and continues to be the only Miss America to be named Miss Congeniality (and the only ventriloquist) by her fellow contestants. Arizona's strongest era were the ten years spanning 1955 through Vonda Kay's win in 1964, with a Top 10 Finalist in 1955, Beth Andre, Barbara Hilgenberg's 3rd Runner-up tie with Miss Kansas in 1956, another Top 10 Finalist & Swimsuit Prelim win in 1957, Lynn Freyse, Patricia Allebrand's 4th Runner-up in 1959, and Susan Bergstrom's 4th Runner-up in 1963. Arizona sent a second ventriloquist to Atlantic City in 1975 when Stacey Peterson took 4th Runner-up. Stacey Momeyer brought a 3rd Runner-up honor home to Arizona in 1997 as did Jennifer Sedler in 2012. Arizona is home to another three Top 10 Finalists: Pam Wenzel-1979 & Talent Prelim win, Debra Daniels-1982, Kathryn Bulkley-2011, a Top 15 Semi-Finalist, a Talent Prelim win, and 8 NFTs.
 |
| Stacey Momeyer Miss Arizona 1997 3rd Runner-up |
# 24 - WISCONSIN - 12(8) - W,W,1,1,1,2,2,4
Wisconsin is another state you to which you want to pay close attention when its titleholder wins a prelim. Seven of its eight prelim winners have made Top 10 or better over the years. Of course we all know that Wisconsin has two Miss Americas: TERRY ("He Touched Me") MEEUWSEN, a double prelim winner, in 1972, and LAURA KAEPPELER, a Talent Prelim winner in 2012. Wisconsin has also had three 1st Runners-up who all won Swimsuit Prelim awards: Mary Alice Fox in 1959, Joan Engh in 1962, and Judy Heike in 1973 (she followed Terry). Two 2nd Runners-up: Tina Sauerhammer in 2003 and Barbara Baugh in 1967, a 4th Runner-up, Sharon Singstock in 1965, a Top 8 Finalist, Christina Thompson-2007, three Top 10 Finalists, Keungsuk Kim-1981, Tania Ziegler-1993, and Mary-Louise Kurey-1999 & Talent Prelim win, a Top 12 Semi-Finalist, three more Talent Prelim wins, a Non-Finalist Interview award, and eight NFTs.
 |
| Mary Alice Fox Miss Wisconsin 1959 1st Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner |
 |
| Joan Engh Miss Wisconsin 1962 1st Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner |
 |
| Judy Heike Miss Wisconsin 1973 1st Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner |
# 23 - NORTH CAROLINA - 12(10) - W,1,1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4
Did you catch that phenomenal statistic there? Of the 12 Miss North Carolina's who have made Top 10 in the last 60 years, 10 (!) of them have placed in the Top 5. North Carolina is also the first state on this countdown to have at least one of each of the top 5 placements in the television years (Winner, 1st RU, 2nd RU, 3rd RU, and 4th RU). Like several other states in this post, North Carolina had an era of dominance at Miss America (1955-1961). In those seven years, the state had Clara Arnold's 3rd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim win in 1955, Elaine Herndon's Top 10 & Swimsuit Prelim in 1957, Betty Evans' 4th Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim in 1958, Ann Herring's 2nd Runner-up in 1960, and MARIA FLETCHER's Swimsuit Prelim win in 1961 before being named MISS AMERICA 1962.
North Carolina roared back in the early 70's when Connie Dorn was named 1st Runner-up in 1972 and then three years later, Susan Lawrence was named 1st Runner-up in 1975.
North Carolina roared back in the early 70's when Connie Dorn was named 1st Runner-up in 1972 and then three years later, Susan Lawrence was named 1st Runner-up in 1975.
 |
| Connie Dorn Miss North Carolina 1972 1st Runner-up |
 | ||
| Susan Lawrence Miss North Carolina 1975 1st Runner-up Then, BOOM, in the late 90's, North Carolina took home two back-to-back 1st Runner-up placements with Michelle Warren in 1997 (plus a Talent Prelim win) and Kelli Bradshaw in 1998 (plus a Swimsuit Prelim win).
|
 |
| Kelli Bradshaw Miss North Carolina 1998 1st Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner |
The Tarheel State also has another 2nd Runner-up, Kristin Elrod in 2004, 4th Runner-up, Jessica Jacobs in 2007, and Top 10 Finalist Jennifer Smith-1991, as well as a Top 15 Semi-Finalist, two more Talent Prelim wins, two more Swimsuit Prelim wins, a Miss Congeniality, and 15 NFTs.
Let's close by saying that North Carolina (the first Southern state on the countdown list) has brought home a competitive award in 31 of the 60 televised competition years.
Tomorrow I'll list those states that rank from 22nd to 12th place.
No comments:
Post a Comment