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Miss USA & Teen USA archives, former Teen crossover history and much more coming soon...

Miss profiles 2020-2022 complete • Teen profiles 2020-2022 and all profiles 2010-2019 coming soon

Miss Nebraska USA and Teen USA Titleholder History

Your ultimate Miss USA state pageant resource

Take a trip back into the history of the Miss Nebraska USA and Miss Nebraska Teen USA pageants, from the first winner Berneta Nelson in 1953, to Mimi Wood of Omaha and Aubrie Charter of North Platte in 2023.  Get to know every single Miss and Teen titleholder with a full listing, hometown map and extensive photo archive, with state pageant photos, Miss USA and Teen USA competition photos and more.

Finalists at the first ever Miss Nebraska USA pageant in 1953. The winner was Berneta Nelson, Clay Center.
Berneta Nelson, Clay Center, was the first Miss Nebraska USA

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A guide to the state titleholder listings...

Miss Nebraska USA and Teen USA Titleholder History

Nebraska first competed in the Miss USA pageant in 1953, and was a powerhouse state in the 1950s and early 1960s with three runner-up and three semi-finalist placements between 1953 and 1961 (they did not send a representative in 1960 or 1962). Following that period the state recorded only two more placements, in 1972 and 1980, before a thirty-year dry spell.

Belinda Wright made Miss Nebraska USA history by placing in 2010, less than a week after her father passed away in a tragic farming accident.  Belinda rushed home to be with her family then returned for final competition, making the top 15 and winning Miss Congeniality.  Since then, Nebraska has had another period of success, this time in both the Miss and Teen divisions – including Sarah Summers winning Nebraska’s very first Miss USA title in 2018 and Faron Medhi winning Miss Teen USA 2022.

Nebraska was one of the last states to have one of their own Teen titleholders win Miss Nebraska USA, with the first coming when Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2004 Meagan Winings won Miss Nebraska USA 2009. Since then five more Nebraska Teen titleholders, have gone on to win the Miss Nebraska USA title.  Three of those made the cut at Miss USA, including Sarah Summers.

The pageant has been directed by Vanbros and Associates since 2002.

Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders from Nebraska

MISS USA 2018

Sarah Rose Summers

23 • Omaha

Top 20
at Miss Universe

MISS TEEN USA 2022

Faron Medhi

18 • Omaha

 

Miss Nebraska USA titleholders 1952-2022

Recent titleholders

2019
Nebraska USA icon 2019
Lex Najarian

25 • Lincoln

 
 

2020
Nebraska USA icon 2020
Megan Swanson

27 • Omaha

 
 

2021
Nebraska USA icon 2021
Erika Etzelmiller

24 • Lincoln

Top 16
at Miss USA

2022
Nebraska USA icon 2022
Natalie Pieper

27 • Omaha

2nd runner-up
at Miss USA

2023
Nebraska USA icon 2023
Mimi Wood

24 • Omaha

 
 

Placements and Awards Summary

Placements

Winner

2nd runner-up

Donna Jo Strever (1955), Natalie Pieper (2022)

3rd runner-up

Shari Lewis (1956), Carolyn McGirr (1957)

Semi-finalist

Berneta Nelson (1953), Margie Winkhoff (1954), Dee Kjeldgaard (1958), Gail Weinstock (1961), Theresa Engels (1972), Rebecca Staab (1980)

Top 15/16/20*

* Where the semi-finalists are cut in multiple stages before the top 5 or 6

Awards

Congeniality

Photogenic

Janice Geiler (1973)

Full Titleholder Listing

IMAGEYEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2023Mimi WoodOmaha23
2022Natalie PieperOmaha272nd runner-up
2021Erika Etzelmiller*Lincoln24Top 16Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2016
2020Megan Swanson^Omaha27Previously Miss NE 2014; sister of Miss NE 2019
2019Lex NajarianLincoln25
2018Bree CoffeyOmaha24Succeeded Sarah as Miss NE USA 2018
2018SARAH SUMMERS*Omaha23Miss USAPreviously Miss NE Teen USA 2012
2017Jasmine Fuelberth*Norfolk20Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2013 (Congeniality @ Miss Teen USA)
2016Sarah Hollins*Omaha25Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2009
2015Hoang-Kim CungGrand Island24
2014Amanda Soltero*Columbus22Top 20Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2010
2013Ellie LorenzenOmaha21
2012Amy SpilkerMalcolm22
2011Haley Jo HeroldOmaha23
2010Belinda WrightScotia21Top 15Congeniality
2009Meagan Winings*Atkinson22Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2004
2008Micaela JohnsonOmaha23
2007Geneice WilcherOmaha26
2006Emily PoeschlLincoln21
2005Jana MurrellOmaha23
2004Guerin AustinOmaha24
2003Jessica PereaOmaha22
2002Stacey SkidmoreOmaha21
2001SuJoing DrakefordBellevue23
2000Valerie CookOmaha22
1999WaLynda Lou Sipple*Grand Island24Previously Miss MI Teen USA 1992
1998Jennifer NaroOmaha23
1997Kimberly Jane WeirLincoln21
1996Kerry Lynn KemperOmaha24
1995Chandelle PeacockOmaha
1994Shawn WolffOmaha
1993Tish GadeLincoln
1992Jeanna Margaret BlomOmaha
1991Ziba AyeenOmaha26
1990Angela HumphreyLincoln22
1989Renee HarterOmaha
1988Kellie O'NeilOmaha24
1987Amy AndersonKearney
1986Ellen WithrowPapillion
1985Lori Leigh StraightOmaha19
1984Joni RundallOmaha
1983Penelope BoyntonLincoln
1982Lori Lynn NovickiOmaha
1981Ladonna HillSeward
1980Rebecca StaabRalston18Semi-Finalist
1979Rhonda LundbergMcCook
1978Shari Alyce ReimersOmaha18
1977Deb RidgeHastings
1976Catherine FrickeOmaha19
1975Mary Lee HothOmaha
1974Mary WolffOmaha19
1973Janice GeilerOmaha21Photogenic
1972Theresa EngelsOmaha18Semi-Finalist
1971Lora ButlerOmaha25
1970Bonnie McElveenBellevue
1969Marilyn PooleOmaha19
1968Linda DresherOmaha
1967Terry Lee SchmidtLincoln18
1966Karen WeinfurtnerOmaha23Succeeded Janice Zielinski
1966Janice ZielinskiOmaha23Resigned shortly after her crowning
1965Constance KelloggOmaha
1964Georgia Ann MerriamLincoln
1963Sandy ZimmerKearneySucceeded Cheryl Warden
1963Cheryl WardenFremontResigned following a situation involving a challenge to the winner of Miss Nebraska (America) - read the news article in the clippings gallery below, it's a doozy!
1962–
1961Gail WeinstockOmaha20Semi-Finalist
1960–
1959Priscilla EckrishLincoln20
1958Dee KjeldgaardBig Springs21Semi-Finalist
1957Carolyn McGirrSidney183rd Runner-Up
1956Shari LewisDaykin193rd Runner-Up
1955Donna Jo StreeverGrand Island212nd Runner-UpSister of Sharon Kay Ritchie, Miss America 1955
1954Margie WinkhoffGrand IslandSemi-Finalist
1953Berneta NelsonClay Center20Semi-Finalist
IMAGEYEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2023Mimi WoodOmaha23
2022Natalie PieperOmaha272nd runner-up
2021Erika Etzelmiller*Lincoln24Top 16Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2016
2020Megan Swanson^Omaha27Previously Miss NE 2014; sister of Miss NE 2019
2019Lex NajarianLincoln25
2018Bree CoffeyOmaha24Succeeded Sarah as Miss NE USA 2018
2018SARAH SUMMERS*Omaha23Miss USAPreviously Miss NE Teen USA 2012
2017Jasmine Fuelberth*Norfolk20Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2013 (Congeniality @ Miss Teen USA)
2016Sarah Hollins*Omaha25Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2009
2015Hoang-Kim CungGrand Island24
2014Amanda Soltero*Columbus22Top 20Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2010
2013Ellie LorenzenOmaha21
2012Amy SpilkerMalcolm22
2011Haley Jo HeroldOmaha23
2010Belinda WrightScotia21Top 15Congeniality
2009Meagan Winings*Atkinson22Previously Miss NE Teen USA 2004
2008Micaela JohnsonOmaha23
2007Geneice WilcherOmaha26
2006Emily PoeschlLincoln21
2005Jana MurrellOmaha23
2004Guerin AustinOmaha24
2003Jessica PereaOmaha22
2002Stacey SkidmoreOmaha21
2001SuJoing DrakefordBellevue23
2000Valerie CookOmaha22
1999WaLynda Lou Sipple*Grand Island24Previously Miss MI Teen USA 1992
1998Jennifer NaroOmaha23
1997Kimberly Jane WeirLincoln21
1996Kerry Lynn KemperOmaha24
1995Chandelle PeacockOmaha
1994Shawn WolffOmaha
1993Tish GadeLincoln
1992Jeanna Margaret BlomOmaha
1991Ziba AyeenOmaha26
1990Angela HumphreyLincoln22
1989Renee HarterOmaha
1988Kellie O'NeilOmaha24
1987Amy AndersonKearney
1986Ellen WithrowPapillion
1985Lori Leigh StraightOmaha19
1984Joni RundallOmaha
1983Penelope BoyntonLincoln
1982Lori Lynn NovickiOmaha
1981Ladonna HillSeward
1980Rebecca StaabRalston18Semi-Finalist
1979Rhonda LundbergMcCook
1978Shari Alyce ReimersOmaha18
1977Deb RidgeHastings
1976Catherine FrickeOmaha19
1975Mary Lee HothOmaha
1974Mary WolffOmaha19
1973Janice GeilerOmaha21Photogenic
1972Theresa EngelsOmaha18Semi-Finalist
1971Lora ButlerOmaha25
1970Bonnie McElveenBellevue
1969Marilyn PooleOmaha19
1968Linda DresherOmaha
1967Terry Lee SchmidtLincoln18
1966Karen WeinfurtnerOmaha23Succeeded Janice Zielinski
1966Janice ZielinskiOmaha23Resigned shortly after her crowning
1965Constance KelloggOmaha
1964Georgia Ann MerriamLincoln
1963Sandy ZimmerKearneySucceeded Cheryl Warden
1963Cheryl WardenFremontResigned following a situation involving a challenge to the winner of Miss Nebraska (America) - read the news article in the clippings gallery below, it's a doozy!
1962–
1961Gail WeinstockOmaha20Semi-Finalist
1960–
1959Priscilla EckrishLincoln20
1958Dee KjeldgaardBig Springs21Semi-Finalist
1957Carolyn McGirrSidney183rd Runner-Up
1956Shari LewisDaykin193rd Runner-Up
1955Donna Jo StreeverGrand Island212nd Runner-UpSister of Sharon Kay Ritchie, Miss America 1955
1954Margie WinkhoffGrand IslandSemi-Finalist
1953Berneta NelsonClay Center20Semi-Finalist

State and Miss USA Photo Album

Miss Nebraska Teen USA titleholders 1983-2022

Recent Titleholders

2019
Nebraska Teen USA icon 2019
Erin Swanson

18 • Norfolk

Semi-finalist at
Miss Teen USA 

2020
Nebraska Teen USA icon 2020
Audrey Eckert

18 • Lincoln

3rd runner-up at
Miss Teen USA 

2021
Nebraska Teen USA icon 2021
Daisy Sudderth

18 • Papillion

Semi-finalist at
Miss Teen USA 

2022
Nebraska Teen USA icon 2022
Faron Medhi

18 • Omaha

Winner of
Miss Teen USA 2022 

2023
Nebraska Teen USA icon 2023
Aubrie Charters

18 • North Platte

 
 

Placements and Awards Summary

Placements

Winner

Faron Medhi (2022)

3rd runner-up

Audrey Eckert (2020)

Semi-finalist

Top 10*

Meagan Winings (2004)

Top 15/16/20*

Danielle Zuroski (2006)

* Where the semi-finalists are cut in multiple stages before the top 5 or 6

Full titleholder listing

IMAGEYEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2023Aubrie CharterNorth Platte18
2022FARON MEDHIOmaha18Miss Teen USA
2021Daisy SudderthPapillion18Semi-finalist
2020Audrey EckertLincoln183rd runner-up
2019Erin Shae SwansonNorfolk18Semi-finalist
2018Michaela EdstrandOmaha18
2017Samantha Washington°Lincoln19Previously Miss NE's Outstanding Teen 2013
2016Erika Etzelmiller*Lincoln18Later Miss NE USA 2021
2015Paige PfluegerNorfolk18Daughter of Miss NE 1980 Paula Louise Mitchell
2014Savannah RaveOmaha18
2013Jasmine Fuelberth*Norfolk16Later Miss NE USA 2017
2012Sarah Summers*Papillion17Later Miss NE USA and Miss USA 2018
2011Madison NovakLincoln17
2010Amanda Soltero*Columbus18Later Miss NE USA 2014 (T20 Miss USA)
2009Sarah Hollins*Omaha19Later Miss NE USA 2016
2008Melissa DeJongDavid City17
2007Lauren ClabaughOmaha16
2006Danielle ZuroskiRalston18Top 15
2005Kelsy BrownWood River17
2004Meagan Winings*Atkinson18Top 10Later Miss NE USA 2009
2003Leigh Ann ThagardOmaha17
2002Brieanne BogartOmaha17
2001Heidi LammliStanton16
2000Amy WeigertGrand Island17
1999Kiley KempckeBlair18
1998Lori AndersenBlair18
1997Natasha FisherArapahoe17
1996Mandy GroffOmaha17
1995Marlo McVeaOmaha
1994Elizabeth SchmitzOmaha
1993Lauriette LoganOmaha
1992Marney MonsonWallace
1991Erin MoutherOmaha
1990Shauna RedfernOmaha17
1989Melissa JenningsHastings
1988Pamela BrownOmaha
1987Susan WeikelElkhorn
1986Elizabeth BeshayOmaha
1985Tina FarmerOmaha
1984Cyndi FreymullerBlair
1983Jackie KuenningLincoln
YEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2023Aubrie CharterNorth Platte18
2022FARON MEDHIOmaha18Miss Teen USA
2021Daisy SudderthPapillion18Semi-finalist
2020Audrey EckertLincoln183rd runner-up
2019Erin Shae SwansonNorfolk18Semi-finalist
2018Michaela EdstrandOmaha18
2017Samantha Washington°Lincoln19Previously Miss NE's Outstanding Teen 2013
2016Erika Etzelmiller*Lincoln18Later Miss NE USA 2021
2015Paige PfluegerNorfolk18Daughter of Miss NE 1980 Paula Louise Mitchell
2014Savannah RaveOmaha18
2013Jasmine Fuelberth*Norfolk16Later Miss NE USA 2017
2012Sarah Summers*Papillion17Later Miss NE USA and Miss USA 2018
2011Madison NovakLincoln17
2010Amanda Soltero*Columbus18Later Miss NE USA 2014 (T20 Miss USA)
2009Sarah Hollins*Omaha19Later Miss NE USA 2016
2008Melissa DeJongDavid City17
2007Lauren ClabaughOmaha16
2006Danielle ZuroskiRalston18Top 15
2005Kelsy BrownWood River17
2004Meagan Winings*Atkinson18Top 10Later Miss NE USA 2009
2003Leigh Ann ThagardOmaha17
2002Brieanne BogartOmaha17
2001Heidi LammliStanton16
2000Amy WeigertGrand Island17
1999Kiley KempckeBlair18
1998Lori AndersenBlair18
1997Natasha FisherArapahoe17
1996Mandy GroffOmaha17
1995Marlo McVeaOmaha
1994Elizabeth SchmitzOmaha
1993Lauriette LoganOmaha
1992Marney MonsonWallace
1991Erin MoutherOmaha
1990Shauna RedfernOmaha17
1989Melissa JenningsHastings
1988Pamela BrownOmaha
1987Susan WeikelElkhorn
1986Elizabeth BeshayOmaha
1985Tina FarmerOmaha
1984Cyndi FreymullerBlair
1983Jackie KuenningLincoln

State and Miss Teen USA Photo Album

Titleholder reunions

Wedding photos