On Sunday California crowned two new queens!  India Williams is Miss California USA and only the fourth African-American to hold the title.  She is also the first Miss winner from the Bay Area since 2004 (although she now attends college in Los Angeles).  Miss California Teen USA 2017 is Jaanu Patel who is their first titleholder of Indian heritage.

India was a non-finalist at Miss CA Teen USA 2014 and 2015 and will be the fifth 2014 Teen contestant to compete at Miss Teen USA or Miss USA (the others are Miss CA Teen USA 2014 Bianca Vierra ), Melanie Mitchell (CA Teen USA 2015), Athenna Crosby (CA Teen USA 2016) and Nadia Mejia (CA USA 2016).   Jaanu was competing in her first state pageant.

Kristen Bradford's Crown Diva group ran away with a title yet again (India was Miss Santa Monica) and also had Victoria Olona (Beverly Hills) in the top five.  For the second year in a row, Catherine Watters placed first runner-up in the Miss division, Victoria placed second runner-up, two-time semi-finalist Carly Diamond Stone was third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to Miss Earth US 2015 and 2015 second runner-up Brittany Payne.

Among the semi-finalists was another Crown Diva girl, Carolina Urrea, last year's fourth runner-up; last year's second runner-up Lauren Smolka; Miss California Teen USA 2012 Alexa Jones; and past Teen runners-up Toneata Morgan and Charli Burnett.

In the Teen competition, India's Santa Monica Teen sister titleholder Samantha Ramos, also non-finalist in 2015, placed first runner-up; second runner-up went to newcomer Dominique Arciniega; third runner-up was 2016 semi-finalist Riley Hunsucker; and another newcomer Janiece Love placed fourth runner-up and also won Photogenic.

The Teen top 20 included 2016 2RU Jessica Duhay and past semi-finalists Giselle Cabebe, Lauren Dorn, Erin Graham and Emma Reed.

​

Three-time runner-up Cassandra Angst is the new Miss Pennsylvania USA 2017 and Lauren Weaver is Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA!  (& the second Teen USA contestant with that name in four years - let's not confuse her with AR's Lauren Weaver!)  Cassandra is from Philadelphia and Lauren is the first titleholder from Windber.  This is the second consecutive year that the previous year's first runner-up won the Miss PA USA title.

Amazingly, the top four contestants in the Miss pageant had all been first runner-up at least once (in either Miss or Teen).  In addition to Cassandra being first runner-up last year, first runner-up Alex Taylor, second runner-up Alana Andersen and third runner-up Madison Longstreth all placed 1RU at Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA, every year from 2011-2015.  Madison ended up assuming the Miss PA Teen USA 2011 title the day after her 1RU placement, and went on to place in the top 15 at Miss Teen USA.  Alex was first runner-up for three years from 2012-2014 - this was her fourth year as a first runner-up.  Alana was first runner-up at Miss PA Teen USA 2015 and second runner-up last year.  Fourth runner-up went to Natalie Romano who was a semi-finalist in 2015 & 2016.

The top 15 included past Teen runners-up Robin Stoner, Brielle Corrente and ​Julia Pauline and 2016 semi-finalists Chelsea Koryak and Monet Tiberii.

In the Teen pageant, all five finalists were competing for the first time.  In order the runners-up were Kailey Grill, Chandler Swift, Alexandra Smelko and Karina Latsko.  2016 third runner-up Brooke Calle  was among the top 10 and also won the Photogenic award.  Congeniality went to another semi-finalist, Natalia Salmon​.
​​
How awesome is this touching display of sportsmanship from four-time runner-up Alex Taylor? (click to view larger)

Last weekend Brooke Harris was crowned Miss Maine USA and Victoria Timm was crowned Miss Maine Teen USA 2017!  Brooke won in her fourth year, having improved every year from semi-finalist in 2014, to second runner-up in 2015 and first runner-up last year.  She is the first titleholder from Lee, and the first from northern Maine since 2011.  Newcomer Victoria is  from Scarborough, the most recent since Donna Schlieper in 2006.

Brooke was the only contestant in the top five who had competed previously and one of only three in the top ten.  The others were semi-finalists Sara Disselkamp, 3RU last year and Lindsay Abrams who was a non-finalist in 2016 and top ten in 2015.  The runners-up were, in order, Simonne Pastore, Yasmine Brown, Hannah Fleming and Carolyn Brady​.  Hannah also won the Photogenic award and Carolyn won Congeniality.  

Teen first runner-up Hailey Robinson and fourth runner-up Alyssa Gould were both competing for the first time.  Second runner-up went to 2016 semi-finalist Kaitlyn Beckwith (also the Congeniality winner) and third runner-up was Paige Veilleux-Adams, who was last year's first runner-up.  Photogenic was awarded to semi-finalist Evelyn Townsend.  

History was made in Kansas this weekend and it wasn't just Vanbros' 25th anniversary!  For only the third time in the history of Miss Teen USA state pageants, a sister crowned a sister - Miss Kansas Teen USA 2016 Madison Moore crowned her younger sister and fourth runner-up Malerie Moore as the new Miss Kansas Teen USA 2017.  Miss Kansas USA 2017 is three-time semi-finalist Catherine Carmichael, who started her USA pageant career as a semi-finalist at Miss Kansas Teen USA 2009.  Catherine won the Swimsuit award and Malerie was the Evening Gown winner and Miss Photogenic.

Swapping placements from 2016, Miss Colorado Teen USA 2009 Taylor Schettler placed first runner-up and two-time runner-up Rachel Morris placed second runner-up & won the Interview award.  Third runner-up went to Miss Kansas Teen USA 2013 Alyssa Klinzing, who was competing in her first Miss pageant.  Miss Kansas 2016 first runner-up Cassie Lohmeyer placed fourth runner-up and was the only one of the top 11 who had not competed in a USA pageant previously.  

Semi-finalists included 2016 runners-up and former Miss Kansas Teen USA titleholders Jessie Colonna (2008) and Alexis Rewalt (2009), and other past SFs Tobie Roberts (4RU at Miss KS Teen USA 2014), Jordan Christian, Meagan Johnson and Lindsay Cunningham.  Tobie also won the Evening Gown award.

Two-time Teen runner-up Faith Tyrell won the Congeniality award and an Honourable Mention for highest placed non-finalist, and Jordan Christian was Miss Photogenic. 

​In the Teen pageant, Malerie was the only contestant in the top five who had competed previously.  The four runners-up were, in order, Yasmine Flores, Lauren Savolt, Allie Marx and Gracie Williams.  Allie won Miss Congeniality and the Activewear award and Yasmin was the Interview winner.  Two-time runner-up Riley Alston and two-time semi-finalist Makennah Whightsil both made the top 13.  

It was the 25th anniversary of Vanbros' first pageant as directors (their first titleholder was Miss Kansas Teen USA 1992 and future MIss USA 1RU and Survivor winner Danielle Boatwright).  Their two Miss USA winners Shandi Finnessey and Olivia Jordan were among a large group of Kansas' and other former & current titleholders who attended the pageant and were announced on stage prior to the crowning.

Miss Kansas USA 2017: Catherine Carmichael (SF 15, SF 14, SF KS TUSA 09)
1RU: Taylor Schettler (2RU 16, CO TUSA 09)   
2RU: Rachel Morris (1RU 16, 1RU 15, 4RU 14) 
3RU: Alyssa Klinzing (KS TUSA 13, SF 12)
4RU: Cassie Lohmeyer
​
Semi-finalists:
Jordan Christian (SF 16)
 Jessie Colonna (3RU 15, 2RU 13, NF CA USA 13, KS TUSA 08) 
Lindsay Cunningham (SF 16, SF 15, NF 14) 
Meagan Johnson (SF 14)
Alexis Rewalt (SF 15, SF 14, SF 13, KS TUSA 09, 2RU 08) 
Tobie Roberts (SF 15, 4RU KS TUSA 14, NF 13)

Congeniality: Faith Tyrell
Photogenic: Jordan Christian

Miss Kansas Teen USA 2017: Malerie Moore (4RU 16) 
1RU: Yasmine Flores
2RU: Lauren Savolt 
3RU: Allie Marx
4RU: Gracie Williams  

Semi-finalists:
Riley Alston (3RU 16, 1RU 14)
Haley Lightfoot  
Maci Clark  
Aspyn Keck 
Megan Reinhart 
Cyara Heredia Ruiz 
Kirsten Stokes 
Makennah Whightsil (SF 16, SF 15) 

Congeniality: Allie Marx 
Photogenic: Malerie Moore ​

Congratulations to DeAnna Johnson, Miss Georgia USA 2017 and Taylor Ward, Miss Georgia Teen USA 2017!  Both were competing in their pageant for the first time, although DeAnna was a contestant on The Voice so is no stranger to the limelight.  She is the first Miss Georgia USA with no previous experience since 2012.  In contrast, Taylor is the ninth MUO newcomer to win the Georgia Teen title in the past decade.

First runner-up in the Miss pageant was Brenda Smith-Lezama, who started her pageant career placing second runner-up at Miss GA Teen USA 2012 before winning Miss Missouri Teen USA 2013 while a freshman at the University of Missouri.  She went on to place in the top fifteen at Miss Teen USA.  Second runner-up was newcomer Bailey Rogers and third runner-up was another newcomer, Dala Hufstetler.  Fourth runner-up went to 2016 semi-finalist Erin O'Sullivan.

The top fifteen included 2016 second runner-up Mackenzie Blair Griffith, three-time Florida Teen runner-up Olivia Caputo, and past semi-finalists Sara LaChapelle and Brittany Deaville.  

In the Teen competition, 2016 semi-finalist Hollyn Adams was the first runner-up.  Newcomers Emmakate Few and Emmaline Farmer (what are the olds off such similar names?!) placed second and third runner-up respectively.  Fourth runner-up went to last year's 1RU, Karson Pennington (2016 second runner-up Kelly Hutchinson placed 1RU in Alabama just before the Georgia pageant).  The only returning contestant among the rest of the semi-finalists was 2015 SF Hunter Maddox.  

Congratulations to Miss Delaware USA 2017 Mia Jones and Miss Delaware Teen USA 2017 Grace Lang!  Mia and Grace were crowned over Thanksgiving weekend.  Mia was Miss Delaware Teen USA 2014, is the third 2014 Teen to win a USA state title and only the third Miss DE Teen USA to win the Miss Delaware USA crown.  Grace was competing for the first time.

The top three of the Miss Delaware Teen USA pageant were all competing in the Miss division, and first runner-up Brighid Minimier and second runner-up Kassady Sever were both semi-finalists.   Another Teen first runner-up, Drew Sanclemente from 2015 placed third runner-up to Miss DE USA.  First runner-up went to Carissa Palumbo, 2RU last year and three-time runner-up in New Jersey, second runner-up was Kimberly Martin (3RU last year, 1RU in 2013), and fourth runner-up went to newcomer Sarah Timmons.  Carissa won the Photogenic award for the second year in a row, I'm still waiting to hear the Congeniality ;'

In the Teen competition, 2016 third runner-up Brynn Close placed first runner-up this year and also won the Photogenic award.  Second runner-up went to 2015 semi-finalist Cierra Smith; third and fourth runner-up spots went to newcomers Melanie Sayers and Kelli Pullella respectively.

Miss Pennsylvania USA & Teen USA 2017 will be crowned on Sunday at 2pm, completing the Pageant Associates class of 2017 (WV/IN/CT/VT/PA).  Unfortunately there is no webcast, but the Pageant Associates facebook page is always great at posting updates!  The 60 contestants in the Miss division is the highest since 2011 and second highest since 2008.  The Teen competition has increased 16 on the low of 11 they had last year but is still a far cry from the average of 50 in recent years - and in 2007 there were 189!

In the Miss division, Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2011 Madison Longstreth is competing in Miss for the first time and will be hoping to experience the crowning moment she missed as a Teen - she was originally first runner-up but assumed the title after the winner resigned the next day and then went on to make the top fifteen at Miss Teen USA 2011!  

Three-time runner-up Cassandra Angst is the only contestant returning from last year's top five (Antonia Gore competed in Maryland).  Two of last year's Teen runners-up have moved up to the Miss competition though, 2016 second runner-up/2015 first runner-up Alyssa Andersen and fourth runner-up Robin Stoner.  They are just two of a number of number of other former Teen runners-up competing, including three-time first runner-up (2012-2014) Alex Taylor, 2014 fourth runner-up Brielle Corriente, 2010 second runner-up Julia Pauline.  

​Returning semi-finalists are Chelsea Koryak, Natalie Romano, and Monet Tiberii.

In the Teen competition 2016 third runner-up Brooke Calle​ is competing, as are semi-finalists Miranda Beaver and Kayla Root​.

2017 Miss  contestants = * | 2017 Teen contestants = ^ in the photo below:

MISS CONTESTANTS (60)
Allyson Ahlstrom
Alana Andersen (2RU PA TUSA 16, 1RU 15)
Cassandra Angst (1RU 16, 4RU 15, 4RU 14)
Kristen Baranowski (NF 16, NF 15)
Angelina Bianchi (NF 16)
Brielle Corrente (4RU PA TUSA 14)
Anna Cree
Daniella D'Antonio
Lauren D'Antonio
Cristina Donado
Danielle Eger
Dalal El-Neemany
Julianna Furfari
Chantelle Heggenstaller (NF 16, NF 15, NF 14)
Rachel Irwin
Sneha Iyer
Nola Juste (NF 16, NF PA TUSA 07)
Amanda Koch
Taryn Kohler
Chelsea Koryak (SF 16)
Madison Longstreth (Miss PA Teen USA 11)
Jasmine Ma
Alyssa Marsh
Stephanie McCole
Brooke Meyer
Sydney Miller
Tyler Moore (NF 15, NF PA TUSA 12)
Vanessa Ortiz
Katrina Oselinsky
Julia Pauline (SF 16, SF 15, NF 14, SF 13, NF 11, 2RU PA TUSA 10)
Kimberly Peyton (NF 16, NF 15, NF 14)
Kimberly Prokurat
Domonique Raup (NF 14, NF PA TUSA 11)
Ava Reichard
Ashlyn Riccione
Denay Richards
Emely Rodriguez
Natalie Romano (SF 16, SF 15)
Marissa Rule (NF 14)
Francesca Ruscio
Ashley Sanchez
Kendall Schenk
Alexxys Sheedy
Samantha Shenoy
Hillary Silverman
Tori Sprenkle
Robin Stoner (4RU PA TUSA 16, SF 15, NF 14)
Moxi Szodfridt (NF NY TUSA 16)
Alex Taylor (SF OH USA 16, SF PA USA 15, 1RU PA TUSA 14, 1RU 13, 1RU 12)
Monet Tiberii (SF 16, SF PA TUSA 14)
Haley Tissue
Kristen Tunno
Daisy Valentine
Deanna Wagner
Erin Wamsley
Jacqueline Watkins
Carolina West
Samantha White
Jolie Winemiller
Alisha Yoder

​TEEN CONTESTANTS (27)
Miranda Beaver (SF 16)
Brooke Calle (3RU 16)
Megan Dicenzo
Dominique Dodgson
Kailey Grill
Dalaney Johnson
Parminder Kaur
Rebecca Konick
Kylee Krivijanski
Karina Latsko
Delila Matara
Abigail Matson
Brooke Miller
Michelle Molyneux
Lauren Ann Moser
Tynetta Muhammad
Sarah Pennington
Mary Person
Kayla Root (SF 16, NF 15)
Natalia Salmon
Jasmine Schulte
Alexandra Smelko
Shelby Stayer
Chandler Swift
Coryn Thomas-Porter
Lauren Ann Weaver
Jane Woy

Contestant commentaries are back!  Apologies for missing hte last pageant weekend, unfortunately other committments intrfered with my ability to get them up.  Miss California USA & Teen USA 2017 will be crowned this weekend in Long Beach.  The pageant is webcast at www.pageantvision.com.

In the Miss comptition, Miss CA Teen USA 2012 Alexa Jones has returned to compete in her home state after three years competing in Arizona.  Miss WA Teen USA 2013 Imani Bentham, who is a performer at Disneyland, is competing in her first Miss pageant and will be hoping to join her predecessor Alex Carlson-Helo, now Miss WA USA 2017, at Miss USA.

Three of last year's runners-up, Catherine Watters (1RU), Lauren Smolka (2RU) and Carolina Urrea (4RU) are all back, as are two 2015 runners-up who did not compete last year, 2RU Brittany Payne and 3RU Shelbi Buchholz.  In the interim, Brittany competed at Miss Earth and placed second runner-up.  2011 runner-up Coco Hunter, a semi-finalist the last three times she has competed, is also back.

Returning semi-finalists are Domonique Jones, Thalia Lara, Brookyln Bizzle, Courtney Tezeno, Carly Diamond Stone, and Brooke Miller, 

There are a ton of contestants who have moved up from the Teen division and are competing in their first Miss event.  They include 2016 Teen 3RU Kaylee Fuller and semi-finalists Brooklyn Lowery, Montana Yao and Juliette Weaver; two-time Nevada Teen RU Jada Clark (most recently 1RU in 2016, but she started her pageant career in California); 2015 contestants Caitlin Dahlin and Toneata Morgan (a 3-time runner-up) and 2014 semi-finalists Emily Delgado and McKenzie Seagren.  2013 runner-up Charli Burnett is competing in Miss for the second time, that top five included Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf, her successor as Miss CA Teen USA Chloe Hatfield, and current Miss CA USA Nadia Mejia.  There are also a number of non-finalists from these teen years who have moved up to Miss.

In CA there are always a number of contestants from other states.  This year in addition to Imani and Jada there are a couple from Texas, two from Hawaii, one from Ohio and one from Idaho.

There is the highest number of contestatns in the Teen division since 2013.  The only runner-up returning is 2016 second runner-up Jessica Duhay.  There are plenty of returning semi-finalists: Arlene Serna, Riley Hunsucker, Lauren Dorn, Janella Garcia, Giselle Cabebe, and Erin Graham,.