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
Here they are. The Big Six. The Power Pageants.
These six states are always contenders.
In the past 60 competitions, they have brought us:
27% of all Top 10 Finalists (164 total)
29% of all Top 5 Finalists (88)
28% of the Miss America winners between 1954-2013 (17)
#6 - OKLAHOMA - 23(16)-W,W,W,W,W,1,2,2,2,2,2,2,4,4,4,4
Everyone knows it, and everyone is saying it, "Oklahoma is on fire right now." Four consecutive runners-up who all won a prelim in the last four years, and nine finalists or better (including TWO MISS AMERICAS) in the last twelve years.
But first let's backtrack and catch up. Oklahoma City and Tulsa started sending city winners to Miss America in the 20s, and Oklahoma's first MISS AMERICA, NORMA SMALLWOOD in 1926, was also the first Native American to win the title. Three runners-up and three semi-finalists followed in the 30s, 40s, and early 50s.
Ann Campbell was the first Miss Oklahoma to place in the television era when she was named 4th Runner-up in 1955 after winning her Swimsuit Prelim. Mary Denner placed as 2nd Runner-up in 1957, and another 2nd Runner-up followed in 1958. Oklahoma had only one finalist in the 60s, but it was JANE JAYROE, a Talent Prelim winner in 1966 and MISS AMERICA 1967. Judy Adams made Top 10 in 1970 and also won her Talent Prelim. Andrea Hanson made Top 10 in 1973.
SUSAN POWELL won her Talent Prelim in 1980 before being named MISS AMERICA 1981 and was followed by Nancy Chapman, 1982's 4th Runner-up. Lori Kelley won her Talent Prelim before being named 2nd Runner-up in 1988 ushering in an era of strength for Oklahoma (finalists in 4 of 5 years). Tamara Marler followed in 1989 with another Talent Prelim win before making Top 10. Cynthia White made Top 10 in 1990, and DuSharme Carter was named 4th Runner-up in 1992.
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| Nancy Chapman Miss Oklahoma 1982 4th Runner-up |
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| Lori Kelley Miss Oklahoma 1988
2nd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner
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| DuSharme Carter Miss Oklahoma 1992 4th Runner-up
SHAWNTEL SMITH won
Oklahoma's fourth MISS AMERICA title in 1995, and then Julie Payne won her
Talent Prelim and made Top 10 in 1998.
Oklahoma's current hot
streak began when Kelley Scott and Elizabeth Kinney were named to the Top 10 in
2003 and 2004 respectively. Then JENNIFER BERRY ('05, a Talent Prelim
winner) and LAUREN NELSON ('06, a Swimsuit Prelim winner) were the first two
Vegas winners of MISS AMERICA titles and the first back-to-back winners from
the same state since Mississippi's 1958-1959 wins.
Oklahoma's four consecutive
runners-up have been Emoly West ('10)-4th Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim
winner, Betty Thompson ('11)-1st Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner, Alicia
Clifton ('12)-2nd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner, and Kelsey Griswold
('13)-2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner.
# 5 - FLORIDA - 24(12)-W,W,
1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4,4,4
Florida has sent at least
six baton twirlers to Miss America.
Florida and its major cities started sending
state and local winners to Miss America in the 20s. Before the television era
began, Florida produced eight runners-up and nine more Semi-Finalists.
Gloria
Daniel placed as 1st Runner-up and won her Swimsuit Prelim at the first
televised competition in 1954. She was followed by Sandra Wirth who won her
Talent Prelim and made Top 10 in 1955. Dorothy Steiner was named 4th Runner-up
in 1957. Then things got quiet for Florida until the mid 60's when five women
placed in six years: Carol Blum-3rd Runner-up in 1965, Diane Colston-Top 10 in
1966, Dawn Cashwell-4th Runner-up and a Talent Prelim winner in 1967, Linda
Fitts-Top 10 and a Talent Prelim winner in 1968, and Lisa Donovan-Top 10 and a
Talent Prelim winner in 1970.
 Miss Florida 1967 4th Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner Future Designing Women star Delta Burke won a Non-Finalist Talent Award in 1974, and was followed by Top 10 Finalist Ann Schmalzried in 1975. Nancy Stafford (known for her work on St. Elsewhere and Matlock) represented Florida in 1976. Then Florida had three consecutive runners-up: Cathy LaBelle-4th Runner-up and a Talent Prelim winner in 1977, Carolyn Cline-2nd Runner-up and a Talent Prelim winner in 1978, and Marti Philipps-4th Runner-up in 1979. Kim Boyce was a Top 10 Finalist in 1983.  Miss Florida 1978 2nd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner  Miss Florida 1974 Non-Finalist Talent Award Another set of three consecutive finalists occurred in the late 80s with Jennifer Sauder making Top 10 in 1987, Melissa Aggeles winning her Swimsuit Prelim and making Top 10 in 1988, and Sandra Frick making Top 10 in 1989. Then after nearly 70 years of participating in the program, Florida welcomed its first MISS AMERICA when LEANZA CORNETT won in 1992. Christy Neuman won her Talent Prelim and made Top 10 in 1997 and Lissette Gonzalez, Florida's first Cuban-American winner, won her Swimsuit Prelim and was named 2nd Runner-up in 1998. Kelly Gaudet made Top 10 in 2001.  Miss Florida 1998 2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner ERICKA DUNLAP became Florida's second MISS AMERICA when she won in 2003, Mari Wilensky ('05) made Top 10, Sierra Minott ('08) placed as 4th Runner-up, and Myrrhanda Jones ('13) won her Talent Prelim and placed as 3rd Runner-up.  Miss Florida 2013 3rd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner Florida also has a Top 13 Semi-Finalist, two Top 16 Semi-Finalists, two additional Swimsuit prelim wins, two Non-Finalist Interview awards, and seven NFTs. #4 - MISSISSIPPI 24(16) - W,W,W,W,1,1,2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,4,4 Delta Burke as Suzanne Sugarbaker said it best on Designer Women: "Run through all the Miss Mississippi's in your head and see if you can name an ugly one. (Julia, Mary Jo, and Charlene pause and are obviously going thru a list in their head silently) "See, you can't." Mississippi has won the most Swmisuit Prelim wins in the tv years. Mississippi did "it"first, giving us the first set of back-to-back MISS AMERICAs with MARY ANN MOBLEY in 1958 (along with a Talent Prelim win) and LYNDA MEAD in 1959. They were also sorority sisters at the same university. Mississippi had two runners-up and two semi-finalists before Miss America hit television in 1954. Mary Ann and Lynda were its first two finalists on tv. The nine years between 1962-1970 were strong for Mississippi with Charlotte Carroll making Top 10 in 1962, Patricia Puckett winning her Swimsuit Prelim and placing as 1st Runner-up in 1965, Joan Myers being named 1st Runner-up just two years later in 1967, and Christine McClamroch placing as 3rd Runner-up in 1970. 
Patricia Puckett
Miss Mississippi 1965
1st Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner
Joan Myers
Miss Mississippi 1967
1st Runner-up
Most of the 70s were quiet for Mississippi until Cheri Brown started an astonishing era for the state by winning her Swimsuit Prelim in 1978 (although she did not make Top 10). Mississippi then sent ten (!) consecutive Finalists to Miss America and won nine Swimsuit Prelims in 13 years.
CHERYL PREWITT won her Swimsuit Prelim in 1979 on her way to being named MISS AMERICA 1980. Donna Pope tied for 2nd Runner-up with New Jersey's Therese Hanley in 1980 after winning her Swimsuit Prelim. Karen Hopson won her Swimsuit Prelim and made Top 10 in 1981. Dianne Evans won her Talent prelim and placed as 2nd Runner-up in 1982. Wanda Geddie won another Swimsuit Prelim and placed as 3rd runner-up in 1983. Kathy Manning took another Swimsuit Prelim win in 1984 and placed as 2nd Runner-up. SUSAN AKIN won Swimsuit and was named Mississippi's fourth MISS AMERICA in 1985. Kimberly McGuffee made Top 10 in 1986. Toni Seawright was 4th Runner-up in 1987, and Carla Haag brought that ten-year run to a close with a Swimsuit win and a Top 10 Finalist placement.
Donna Pope
Miss Mississippi 1980
2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner
Dianne Evans
Miss Mississippi 1982
2nd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner
Kathy Manning
Miss Mississippi 1984
2nd Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner
Mississippi continued to be strong in the 90s with Mary Allison Hurdle placing as 4th Runner-up in 1991, Rebecca Blouin making Top 10 in 1994, Monica Louwerens making Top 10 in 1995, Kari litton making Top 10 in 1996, and Myra Barginear placing as 2nd Runner-up in 1997.
Christy May won her Swimsuit Prelim in 2000 and placed as 3rd Runner-up. Jennifer Adcock won another Swimsuit Prelim in 2002 and made Top 10. Taryn Foshee ('06) was 3rd Runner-up.
Mississippi also has a Top 15 and a Top 16 Semi-Finalist, two additional Swimsuit winners, an additional Talent winner, and five NFTs.
#3 - ALABAMA- 28(13) - W,W,1,1,1,2,2,2,3,3,4,4,4
Alabama has won the most Talent Prelims of any state.
Did you know that Alabama didn't have local competitions feeding into the state until the early 1970s? Before then, interested contestants participated in a series of preliminary eliminations before the state competitors were selected.
As Alabama goes, so goes Mississippi, or vice versa. Both states have tended to do well or not over roughly the same spans.
The city of Birmingham began sending a contestant to Miss America beginning in 1922, and during the 33 years between 1936-1968, Alabama's contestants made Top 10 or better 24 times (73%). Before the tv years, Alabama had six Semi-Finalists, seven runners-up and its first MISS AMERICA with YOLANDE BETBEZE in 1950 who became the first winner with a post dated title. Jacque Mercer was Miss Arizona 1949 and Miss America 1949. Yolande was Miss Alabama (and a Swimsuit Prelim winner) and became MISS AMERICA 1951. (see my earlier post about opera singers for an interesting anecdote about her talent performance).
Once Miss America started being televised in 1954, Alabama settled into a perpetual Top 10 Finalist with ten between 1954-1968. Anne Ariail was the lone runner-up in those years, placing as 2nd Runner-up in 1956 after winning her Talent Prelim. the Top 10 Finalists included: Marilyn Tate in 1954, Patricia Huddleston in 1955 with a Talent win, Lee Thornberry in 1958 with a Talent win, Teresa Rinaldi in 1960 with a Talent win, Delores Hodgens in 1961, Judy Short in 1963 with a double win in Swimsuit & Talent, Vickie Powers in 1964 with a Talent win, Linda Folsom in 1965 with a Talent win, Angie Grooms in 1966, and Dellynne Catching in 1968 with a Swimsuit win.
After having no placements in the next nine years, Alabama saw seven women place in the subsequent 11 years. It started with Teresa Cheatham who won both her Swimsuit and Talent Prelims and was 1st Runner-up in 1978. Another 1st Runner-up followed two years later when Paige Phillips won her Talent Prelim in 1980. Yolanda Fernandez was 3rd Runner-up in 1982, and Pam Battles was 2nd Runner-up in 1983. Angela Tower won her Swimsuit Prelim in 1985 and placed as 4th Runner-up, Angela Callahan made Top 10 in 1986, and Jenny Jackson was 4th Runner-up in 1988.
Teresa Cheatham
Miss Alabama 1978
1st Runner-up & Swimsuit & Talent Prelim winner
Leigh Sherer
Miss Alabama 1995
Top 10 Finalist
Julie Smith was a Top 10 Finalist in 1999 as was Jana Sanderson in 2000. Scarlotte Deupree was 1st Runner-up in 2002, and DEIDRE DOWNS brought Alabama its 3rd MISS AMERICA title in 2004. She held the title for 16 months, crowning her successor in January of 2006 at the first Vegas competition. In vegas, Alexa Jones ('05) was 2nd Runner-up and Melinda Toole ('06) was 4th Runner-up.
Scarlotte Deupree
Miss Alabama 2002
1st Runner-up
Alabama also has a Top 12, a Top 13, and a Top 15 Semi-Finalist, an additional Talent Prelim win, a special judges award, and six NFTs.
#2 - CALIFORNIA - 29(20)-W,W,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,3,3,4,4,4,4
California has the most Swimsuit wins if you go back to when prelim awards starting being announced in the late 30s/early 40s.
California, like Alabama, dominated the competition in then early years with 24 Finalists in the 29 years between 1935-1963 (83%).
California gave us four MISS AMERICAs before the program started being televised: FAY LANPHIER in 1925, ROSEMARY LAPLANCHE who became Miss America in 1941 after placing as 1st Runner-up in 1940 (back when you were allowed to return)(she won her Swimsuit Prelim both years), JEAN BARTEL in 1943 and a double prelim winner who inspired the introduction of college scholarships, and MARILYN BUFERD in 1946 along with another Swimsuit Prelim win. In the pre-tv years California produced 11 runners-up and five semi-finalists.
LEE MERIWETHER was the first woman selected as MISS AMERICA on live television during the 1954 telecast. She had won her Swimsuit Prelim and returns in 2014 as a judge. She was followed by Top 10 Finalist and Swimsuit Prelim winner Joan Beckett in 1956, and then three consecutive 3rd Runners-up: Lorna Anderson in 1957, Sandra Jennings in 1958 along with a Swimsuit win, and Susan Bronson in 1959.
California continued to be strong for the next two decades. The 60s began with Suzanne Reamo being named 1st Runner-up in 1960, Susan Henryson winning her Talent Prelim in 1961 and making Top 10, Wendy Douglas making Top 10 in 1963, Charlene Dallas winning both her Swimsuit and Talent Prelims before being named 1st Runner-up in 1966, and Susan Anton (known as the spokeswoman for Muriel cigars and Serta mattresses along with film and television work and for dating Dudley Moore) who tied for 2nd Runner-up in 1969 with New Jersey's Cheryl Carter.
Suzanne Reamo
Miss California 1960
1st Runner-up
Susan Anton
Miss California 1969
2nd Runner-up
And the hits just kept on comin' for California. It had a five consecutive year run starting in 1973 with Susan Shipley's Top 10 placement. Then Lucianne Buchanan was 1st Runner-up and a Swimsuit Prelim winner in 1974, Janet Carr was 2nd Runner-up in 1975 and also won Swimsuit, Linda Mouron was 3rd Runner-up in 1976, and Connie Haugen was Top 10 in 1977.
Lucianne Buchanan
Miss California 1974
1st Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner
The next 18 years were relatively quiet for California with two notable exceptions: DEBRA SUE MAFFETT was a double prelim winner in both Swimsuit and Talent in 1982 before being named MISS AMERICA 1983, and Marlise Ricardos was 3rd Runner-up in 1988.
Marlise Ricardos
Miss California 1988
3rd Runner-up
Tiffany Stoker won her Swimsuit Prelim in 1995 and was named 3rd Runner-up, and Rebekah Keller also won her Swimsuit Prelim and was named 4th Runner-up in 1997. Rita Ng won her Talent Prelim and was named 2nd Runner-up in 2000.
In 2003, California started what is, to date, an eleven year run of success with nine finalists to date: Nicole Lamarche, Swimsuit & 4th Runner-up in 2003; Veena Goel, Talent & 4th Runner-up in 2004; Jacquelynne Fontaine ('06)-Top 10 & Talent; Melissa Chaty ('07)-Top 8; Jackie Giest ('08)-Top 7; Kristy Cavinder ('09)-1st Runner-up & Talent; Arianna Asfar ('10)-Top 10; Noelle Freeman ('11)-4th Runner-up; and Crystal Lee ('13)-1st Runner-up.
California also has two additional Swimsuit Prelim winners, an additional Talent Prelim winner, and nine NFTs.
#1 - TEXAS - 36(12)-W,W,1,2,2,2,3,3,3,4,4,4
Texas is the ONLY state to make Top 10 or better MORE than 50% of the time. As the Junkies say: "Just put Texas in your Top 10 list and be done with it." The odds are in your favor.
Movie star Joan Blondell represented Dallas at Miss America in 1926 with her given name of Rosebud Blondell. She starred in Public Enemy with James Cagney in 1931, in Desk Set with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in 1957, and in Grease in 1978.
Texas' first MISS AMERICA win happened in 1942 when Jo-Carroll Dennison won both her Swimsuit and Talent Prelims (singing "Deep in the Heart of Texas" to the delight of the World War II servicemen in the audience). Texas had a 1st Runner-up and four Semi-Finalists in the pre-tv years.
Texas' first televised finalist was Mary Nell Hendricks who made Top 10 in 1958. Then the 1960s were really strong for Texas with Linda Loftis winning Talent in 1961 and being named 3rd Runner-up, Penny Rudd-2nd Runner-up in 1962, Sharon McCauley-3rd Runner-up in 1964, and Susan Logan-Top 10 in 1966.
 Miss Texas 1961 3rd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner Then Phyllis happened, and Texas saw 18 women place in the next 22 years (82%!!!!!). And by Phyllis, I mean PHYLLIS GEORGE who won her Swimsuit Prelim in 1970 and became the 50th anniversary MISS AMERICA. After Phyllis came Mae Beth Cormany as 3rd Runner-up in 1972, Judy Mallett-Top 10 in 1973, Texas' third MISS AMERICA in 1974 with SHIRLEY COTHRAN who also won her Swimsuit Prelim, Mary Ellen Richardson-Top 10 in 1975, Carmen McCollum-double prelim winner and 2nd Runner-up in 1976, Lori Smith-Top 10 in 1977, Sandi Miller-Top 10 in 1988-Terri Eoff-Top 10 in 1980, Sheri Ryman-4th Runner-up and Talent in 1981, Dana Rogers-Top 10 in 1983, Tamara Hext-4th Runner-up and Swimsuit in 1984, Jonna Fitzgerald-2nd Runner-up & Talent in 1985, Stephany Samone-Top 10 & Talent in 1986, Jo Thompson-Top 10 in 1988, Lea Kay Lyle-Top 10 in 1989, Suzanne Lawrence-3rd Runner-up & Talent in 1990, and Rhonda Morrison-Top 10 in 1991. Whew!  Miss Texas 1981 4th Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner  Miss Texas 1983 Top 10 Finalist  Miss Texas 1984 4th Runner-up & Swimsuit Prelim winner  Miss Texas 1985 2nd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner  Miss Texas 1986 Top 10 Finalist & Talent Prelim winner  Miss Texas 1990 3rd Runner-up & Talent Prelim winner During the balance of the 90s, Texas saw Arian Archer make Top 10 in 1994, Michelle Martinez make Top 10 in 1996, and Yanci Yarbrough place as 4th Runner-up in 1999. Tara Watson followed with a Top 10 placement in 2000. Lisa Dalzell was Top 10 in 2002 as were Jamie Story in 2004 and Morgan Matlock ('05). Shilah Phillips ('06) won her Talent Prelim and placed as 1st Runner-up, Molly Hazlett('07) won her Swimsuit Prelim and made Top 8, and Kristen Blair ('09) was Top10. Most recently, Texas has had three consecutive Top 10 Finalists: Kendall Morris ('11) who also won her Swimsuit Prelim, DaNae Couch ('12), and Ivana Hall ('13).
The great Lone Star state of Texas also has a Top 12 Semi-Finalist, a Non-Finalist Interview award winner, a Miss Congeniality, and three NFTs.
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Sandi Miller-Top 10 in 1988...should read 1978 for Miss Texas.
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