- 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
Current awards
Miss Congeniality
The first Miss Congeniality award specific to the Miss USA pageant was given out in 1965. Prior to this year, the award could be won by either a Miss USA or Miss Universe contestant because both pageants were 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 2011, Vermont has received the most awards with five. Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana and Wyoming follow with three awards.
Only one Miss USA winner would be voted Miss Congeniality: Chelsi Smith (1995). She would also be crowned Miss Universe 1995, becoming the only Miss USA titleholder and special award winner in history to capture the Miss Universe crown.
Year Winner State Placement at MUSA Notes 1952[^] AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANT 1953[^] Jeanne Thompson 
LouisianaTop 20 semifinalist 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 CONTESTANT 1960[^] Judy Fletcher (tie) LouisianaTop 15 semifinalist Tied with Myint Myint May of Burma from Miss Universe to win the award. 1961-1963[^] AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANT 1964[^] Jeanne Venables 
CaliforniaTop 15 semifinalist 1965 Elizabeth Carroll (tie) 
MinnesotaBonnie Perkins (tie) 
Tennessee1966 Linda Leafdale 
Wyoming1967 Sandra Baldwin 
Idaho1968 Julia Pinkley 
Kentucky1969 Mary Verdiana 
Vermont1st runner-up 1970 Diane Swendeman 
TexasTop 15 semifinalist 1971 Diane Knaub 
Colorado1972 Peggy Moore 
Utah1973 Kiki Kirkland 
South Carolina1974 Donna Thornton Vermont1975 Constance Crabtree Vermont1976 Connie Clark (tie) KentuckyDorothy Westphal (tie) 
South Dakota1977 Linda LeFevre 
Florida1978 Nancy Wierzbicki Vermont1979 Pam Williams Wyoming1980 Robbin English 
Montana1981 Cynthia Ann Kerby California3rd runner-up Also won Miss Photogenic. 1982 Toni McFadden 
Alaska1983 Dana Ruth Mintzer 
Iowa1984 Diane Gadoury 
New Hampshire1985 Marty Browning Tennessee1986 Lisa Summerour-Perry 
New Jersey1987 Lori Lynn Dickerson[1] California1988 Elva Anderson[2] 
District of Columbia1989 Kimberly Nicewonder 
Virginia1990 Janet Tveita[3] Minnesota1991 Charlotte Ray[4] New Jersey1st runner-up 1992 Alesia Prentiss[5] 
Nevada1993 Stacey Blaine[6] 
Massachusetts1994 Denise White 
Oregon1995 Chelsi Smith TexasMiss USA 1995 MISS UNIVERSE 1995 1996 Ku'ualoha Taylor 
Hawaii1997 Napiera Groves[7] District of Columbia1998 Vera Morris[8] 
North Carolina1999 Cara Jackson 
Arizona2000 Michele Kaplan Hawaii2001 Monica Palumbo[9] North Carolina2002 Meredith McCannel Montana2003 Breann Parriott[10] 
Washington2004 Michelle Fongemie[11] Vermont2005 Melissa Young[12] 
Wisconsin2006 Dottie Cannon[13] Minnesota2007 Stephanie Trudeau Montana2008 Monica Day 
Ohio2009 Cynthia Pate Wyoming2010 Belinda Wright 
NebraskaTop 15 semifinalist 2011 Kia Hampton Kentucky^ Denotes winner of Miss Congeniality when the award was given to either a Miss USA or Miss Universe contestant.
Miss Photogenic
Like Miss Congeniality, the first Miss Photogenic award specific to the Miss USA pageant was given out in 1965. Prior to this year, the award could be won by either a Miss USA or Miss Universe contestant. The winner of the award was initially chosen by the press, however this was changed to an internet vote in 1996. 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 2011 is Virginia, with six awards. The next most successful states are Louisiana and Texas, each tied with four, followed by Alabama and California with three.
Coincidentally, California and Louisiana both have two Miss USA winners who have also been voted Miss Photogenic, the most from any state to win the award and the title: Maria Remenyi (1966) and Shannon Marketic (1992) from California; Sharon Brown (1961) and Ali Landry (1996) from Louisiana. Virginia has the only other Miss USA and Photogenic award winner: Debbie Shelton (1970).
Year Winner State Placement at MUSA Notes 1955-1955 NO AWARD 1956-1960[^] AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANT 1961[^] Sharon Brown LouisianaMiss USA 1961 Won joint Miss Universe/Miss USA award as Miss Louisiana USA 1961 prior to winning Miss USA 1961; immediately competed in Miss Universe 1961, placing 4th runner-up. 1962-1964[^] AWARD WON BY MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANT 1965 Cheryl Semrad 
OklahomaTop 15 semifinalist 1966 Maria Remenyi CaliforniaMiss USA 1966 Top 15 semifinalist at Miss Universe 1966. 1967 Elizabeth Kallmyer VirginiaTop 15 semifinalist 1968 Kathy Hebert Louisiana3rd runner-up 1969 Susan Hawkins ColoradoTop 15 semifinalist 1970 Debbie Shelton VirginiaMiss USA 1970 1st runner-up to Miss Universe 1970 1971 Brenda Joyce Miller VirginiaTop 12 semifinalist 1972 Susan Lunette Peters Texas1973 Janice Geiler NebraskaTop 12 semifinalist 1974 Barbara Cooper 
New York1st runner-up 1975 Pamela Flowers 
Alabama1st runner-up 1976 Liz Wickersham 
GeorgiaTop 12 semifinalist 1977 Elizabeth Curran 
Illinois1978 Suzanna Timberlake Tennessee1979 Michele Maria Sandoval 
New Mexico1980 Jineane Ford (tie) Arizona1st runner-up Kim Thomas (tie) OhioAlso won Best State Costume. 1981 Cynthia Ann Kerby California3rd runner-up Also won Miss Congeniality. 1982 Sondra Dee Jones VirginiaTop 12 semifinalist 1983 Lisa Allred Texas1st runner-up 1984 Laura Shaw TexasTop 10 semifinalist 1985 Robyn Overbey Kentucky1986 Beth King WyomingTop 10 semifinalist 1987 Sophia Marie Bowen Georgia4th runner-up 1988 Rowanne Brewer[14] 
MarylandTop 10 semifinalist 1989 Elizabeth Primm Louisiana3rd runner-up 1990 Stephanie Teneyck[3] 
MississippiTop 12 semifinalist 1991 Pat Arnold[4] North CarolinaTop 6 finalist 1992 Shannon Marketic[5] CaliforniaMiss USA 1992 Top 10 semifinalist at Miss Universe 1992. 1993 Kelly Hu[6] HawaiiTop 6 Finalist Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1985 and Miss Teen USA 1985. 1994 Patricia Southall[15] Virginia1st runner-up 1995 Nichole Holmes Illinois2nd runner-up 1996 Ali Landry LouisianaMiss USA 1996 Previously Miss Louisiana Teen USA 1990; Top 12 semifinalist at Miss Teen USA 1990; Top 6 finalist at Miss Universe 1996; first woman to compete at all three. 1997 Audra Wilks VirginiaPreviously Miss Virginia Teen USA 1998. 1998 Sonja Glenn[16] South Carolina1999 Elyzabeth Pham Wisconsin2000 Paige Swenson MinnesotaPreviously Miss Minnesota Teen USA 1994. 2001 Katee Doland Colorado2002 Shannon Ford[17] Florida2003 Sarah Cahill[10] MinnesotaPreviously Miss Minnesota Teen USA 1996. 2004 Jennifer Sherrill[11] 
Arkansas2005 Tyler Willis[12] TexasTop 15 semifinalist 2006 Cristin Duren[18] Florida4th runner-up Previously Miss Florida Teen USA 1997; first woman to win Miss Photogenic at both Miss Teen USA (in 1997) and Miss USA. 2007 Rebecca Moore Alabama2008 Courtney Carroll Alaska2009 Jessi Pierson 
West VirginiaTop 10 finalist 2010 Audrey Moore AlabamaTop 10 finalist 2011 Brittany Brannon ArizonaTop 16 semifinalist Previously Miss Teen America 2007 ^ Denotes winner of Miss Photogenic when the award was given to either a Miss USA or Miss Universe contestant.
Former awards
Best State Costume
The first Best State Costume award was given out in 1962. It's not awarded since 1994.
The most successful state was Alaska, with four awards. The next most successful states were Arizona, Illinois and Texas, each tied with three; followed by Ohio, Oregon and South Carolina with two.
Year Winner State Placement at MUSA Notes 1952-1961 NO AWARD 1962 Joyce Collin OregonTop 16 semifinalist 1963 Linda England Florida1964 Pat Kerr Tennessee1965 Carla Sullivan Alaska1966 Nancy Self New YorkTop 15 semifinalist 1967 Maureen Bassett OregonTop 15 semifinalist 1968 Suzanne Fromm CaliforniaTop 15 semifinalist 1969 Linda Louise Rowley Alaska1970 Vickie Lynn Chesser South Carolina1st runner-up 1971 Katherine Hartman Alaska1972 Patricia Lane AlaskaTop 12 semifinalist 1973 Lavon McConnell (tie) TexasTop 12 semifinalist Diane Modrow (tie) Wisconsin1974 Charlesy Gulick Kentucky1975 Gayla Bryan Oklahoma1976 Virginia Murray South Carolina3rd runner-up 1977 Kimberly Tomes TexasMiss USA 1977 Top 12 semifinalist at Miss Universe 1977. 1978 Barbra Horan Texas2nd runner-up 1979 Debra Niego Illinois3rd runner-up 1980 Elizabeth Kim Thomas OhioAlso won Miss Photogenic. 1981 Joann Savery Massachusetts1982 Kim Ann Weeda Ohio3rd runner-up 1983 Julie Page 
PennsylvaniaTop 12 semifinalist 1984 Daria Sparling Arizona1985 Michelle Ducote ArizonaTop 10 semifinalist 1986 Tricia Bach IllinoisTop 10 semifinalist 1987 Kriston Gayle Killgore New MexicoTop 11 semifinalist 1988 Lagracella Omran[19] Nevada1989 Kelly Holub IllinoisTop 10 semifinalist 1990 NO AWARD 1991 Maricarroll Verlinde[4] ArizonaTop 11 semifinalist 1992 Heather Gray[5] 
Indiana1993 Tavia Shackles[6] 
Kansas2nd runner-up Previously Miss Missouri Teen USA 1990; Top 12 semifinalist at Miss Teen USA 1990. Best in Swimsuit
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, and in 2002 by Bluepoint. Not awarded since 2003.
Year Winner State Placement at MUSA Notes 1992 Candace Brown Alabama1st runner-up 1993 Erin Nance Georgia1st runner-up Previously Miss Georgia Teen USA 1988. 1994 Patricia Southall Virginia1st runner-up 1995 Chelsi Smith TexasMiss USA 1995 MISS UNIVERSE 1995 1996 Danielle Boatwright Kansas1st runner-up Previously Miss Kansas Teen USA 1992. 1997 Angelia Savage FloridaTop 6 finalist 1998 Shawnae Jebbia MassachusettsMiss USA 1998 Top 5 finalist at Miss Universe 1998. 1999 Lauren Poppell South CarolinaTop 5 finalist Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 1993; Top 12 semifinalist at Miss Teen USA 1993. Angelique Breaux California2nd runner-up Became Miss World USA 2000; Top 10 semifinalist at Miss World 2000. 2000 Lynnette Cole TennesseeMiss USA 2000 Previously Miss Tennessee Teen USA 1995; Top 6 finalist at Miss Teen USA 1995; Top 5 finalist at Miss Universe 2000. 2001 Larissa Meek 
MissouriTop 5 finalist Previously Miss Missouri Teen USA 1997. 2002 Lanore Vanburen Minnesota3rd runner-up Style Award
It was awarded by Vibrance in 1995, Finesse Shampoo in 1996, Clairol Herbal Essences in 1999-2001. Not awarded 1997-1998, 2002-present.
Year Winner State Placement at MUSA Notes 1995 Lynn Vesnefski Hawaii1996 Becca Lee Tennessee2nd runner-up 1997-1998 NO AWARD 1999 Kellie Lightbourn VirginiaTop 10 semifinalist 2000 Kristin Ludecke Florida2001 Megan Gunning MarylandReferences
- ^ "Column: PEOPLE". The Orange County Register. 1987-02-13.
- ^ Milloy, Courtland (1988-05-22). "Beauty is Having Your Act Together". The Washington Post. p. D.03. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73609459.html?dids=73609459:73609459&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=MAY+22%2C+1988&author=COURTLAND+MILLOY&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Beauty+Is+Having+Your+Act+Together&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ a b "Detroit's Carole Gist Is Miss USA". Washington Post. 1990-03-03. p. d.09.
- ^ a b c Curtright, Bob (1991-02-23). "Homegrown Beauty Miss Kansas wins Miss USA title". The Wichita Eagle. p. 1A.
- ^ a b c Lewis, Diane (1992-02-05). "Stepping out with Glitz - State Icons". The Wichita Eagle. p. 1A.
- ^ a b c Lewis, Diane (1993-02-17). "Miss Kansas Getting Attention as Pageant Ceremonies Begin". The Wichita Eage. p. 1A.
- ^ Warrick, Camilla (1997-05-27). "Living her Lessons: Pageant Winner Leaving Her Job to Chase Dream". The Cincinnati Post.
- ^ "Miss Massachusetts selected Miss USA in Shreveport". The Advocate. 1998-03-11.
- ^ Price, Mark (2001-03-31). "Miss Congeniality Turns on Personality, Chews the Fat as a Pageant Insider". Charlotte Observer. p. 1F. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB6D2D52A38F495&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ a b "Miss Massachusetts USA, Susie Castillo, Crowned Miss USA 2003 During Live NBC Telecast on March 24" (Press release). Miss Universe Organization. 2003-03-24. http://www.missusa.com/press/03.24.03.html. Retrieved 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. http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-9131.html. Retrieved 2007-02-25.[dead link]
- ^ "Miss Kentucky Crowned Miss USA 2006 During Live NBC Telecast on April 21st" (Press release). Miss Universe Organization. 2006-04-21. http://www.missusa.com/press/04.21.06.html. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ Conconi, Chuck (1990-12-10). "Personalities". The Washington Post. p. d.03. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72636178.html?dids=72636178:72636178&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=DEC+20%2C+1990&author=Chuck+Conconi&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=PERSONALITIES&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ Little, Robert (1994-02-13). "Mom's Death Inspired Miss USA contestant". The Virginian Pilot. p. B3. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VP&p_theme=vp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFF71A4C4159ED&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 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 (2006-05-15). "Miss Florida looks to future: Panama City Beach woman remains optimistic after placing fifth in nationwide pageant.". News Herald. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-145801736.html. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ Conconi, Chuck (1990-12-10). "Personalities". The Washington Post. p. d.03. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72636178.html?dids=72636178:72636178&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=DEC+20%2C+1990&author=Chuck+Conconi&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=PERSONALITIES&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
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