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Miss South Carolina USA and Teen USA Titleholder History

Your ultimate Miss USA state pageant resource

Take a trip back into the history of the Miss South Carolina USA and Teen USA pageants, from South Carolina's first ever representative at Miss USA, Margie Allen in 1952, to Kirby Elizabeth Self and Kenlee McVay who recently won the 2023 titles. 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.

Former South Carolina titleholders at Miss SC USA 2018 • Sage Media Group
Lu Parker at Miss Universe

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Miss South Carolina USA and Teen USA Titleholder History

South Carolina is one of the most successful states at Miss USA, and from 1980 until 2022 was the only state to lay claim to two Miss Universe winners.  It has been directed by RPM Productions since Janice McDonald, sister of co-director Paula Miles, held the 1979 title.  RPM’s first winner was Shawn Weatherly, who went on to win not only Miss USA, but Miss Universe!  South Carolina has not had a Miss USA winner since Lu Parker in 1994, but won their first Teen title in 1998 with Vanessa Minnillo – soon to shoot to fame on MTV, as the wife of Nick Lachey and most recently on NCIS: Hawaii – and their second with K Lee Graham in 2014.

In the last decade the South Carolina pageants have been dominated by the GC Pageants local pageant group who had their first win in 2013 with Tori Sizemore as “Miss Golden Corner Teen” and have directed at least one state winner every year since 2016.  Tori also won her Miss South Carolina USA title as Miss Golden Corner, and Marley Stokes and Kirby Elizabeth Self also held the same GC Pageants local titles for each of their Teen and Miss wins.

Take a look back at the winners’ state evening gown photos in the pageant photo galleries below – if you’re a miss contestant wearing red, black, white or champagne might bring you good luck and the Teen winners have almost exclusively worn white!

Eight Miss South Carolina Teen USA titleholders went on to win the Miss SC USA title, including a rare three-generation daisy chain of winners, where the Teen “sister” titleholder of a Miss winner who is herself a former Teen, goes on to win the Miss title hderself and then her own Teen sister title also wins the Miss title: Megan Pinckney (2010 Teen/2013 Miss), Tori Sizemore (2013 Teen/2018 Miss), Kirby Self (2018 Teen/2023 Miss).  Tori and Kirby both placed first runner-up at Miss Teen USA and Megan was 5RU at Miss USA.

Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders from South Carolina

MISS UNIVERSE 1954

Miriam Stevenson

21 • Winnsboro

USA’s first Miss Universe

MISS UNIVERSE 1980

Shawn Weatherly

20 • Sumter

USA’s fourth Miss Universe

MISS USA 1994

South Carolina USA winner icon 1
Lu
Parker

25 • Charleston

Top 6 at Miss Universe

MISS TEEN USA 1998

Vanessa Minnillo

17 • Charleston

MISS TEEN USA 2014

K. Lee
Graham

17 • Chapin

Miss South Carolina USA titleholders 1952-2022

Recent titleholders

2019
Miss South Carolina USA icon 2019
MaKenzie Divina

21 • Clemson

 

2020
Miss South Carolina USA icon 2020
Hannah Jane Curry

22 • Greenville

 

2021
Miss South Carolina USA icon 2021
Marley Stokes

24 • Lexington

Top 8
at Miss USA

2022
Miss South Carolina USA icon 2022
Meera Bhonslé

26 • Lexington

 

2023
South Carolina USA icon 2023
Kirby Elizabeth Self

22 • Greenwood

 

Full Titleholder Listing

IMAGEYEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2023Kirby Elizabeth Self*Greenwood22Previously Miss SC Teen USA 2018 (1RU Miss Teen USA)
2022Meera BhonsléLexington26
2021Marley Stokes*Lexington24Top 8Previously Miss SC Teen USA 2016 (2RU Miss Teen USA)
2020Hannah Jane CurryGreenville22
2019MaKenzie DivinaClemson21
2018Tori Sizemore*Anderson23Previously Miss SC Teen USA 2013 (1RU Miss Teen USA)
2017Megan GordonNorth Augusta23Top 5
2016Leah LawsonAnderson22Top 15
2015Sarah WeishuhnGoose Creek23
2014Christina ZapolskiCharleston22Top 10
2013Megan Pinckney*Charleston225th runner-upPreviously Miss SC Teen USA 2010
2012Erika Grace Powell^Greenville27Top 16Previously Miss SC 2005 (SF Miss America)
2011Courtney TurnerNorth Augusta20Top 8
2010Rachel LawGreenville21
2009Stephanie SmithGoose Creek21Top 10
2008Jamie HillColumbia24Top 15
2007Ashley ZaisNewberry20Top 15
2006Lacie LybrandLexington23Top 10
2005Sarah Medley*North Charleston18Previously Miss SC Teen USA 2001
2004Amanda PennekampColumbia221st runner-upLater Miss Earth USA 2006 (SF Miss Earth)
2003Anna HanksBelton21Semi-finalist
2002Ashley WilliamsLittle Mountain20Semi-finalist
2001Candace RichardsFountain Inn21
2000Lisa RabonMyrtle Beach21Semi-finalist
1999Lauren Poppell*Rock Hill23FinalistPreviously Miss SC Teen USA 1993 (SF Miss Teen USA)
1998Sonja GlennChesnee21Photogenic
1997Casey MizellIrmo22
1996Lysa JacksonCharleston21
1995Danielle CorleyLexington18T6 Miss Universe 1994
1994LU PARKERCharleston26MISS USA
1993Kelli GosnellPacolet22Semi-finalist
1992Audra WallaceCharleston222nd Runner-up
1991Traci RuftyColumbia21
1990Gina TollesonSpartanburg201st Runner-upMiss World 1990
1989Angela Shuler*Rock Hill21Previously Miss SC Teen USA 1986
1988April AbelJohnston20Semi-finalist
1987Elizabeth Woodard*Aiken21Previously Miss SC Teen USA 1983
1986Maribeth CurryGreenville20Semi-finalist
1985Ann Margarete HughesCharleston
1984Ginger GreerLugoff
1983Allison GrissoColumbia2nd Runner-up
1982Margo WoodColumbia
1981Zade TurnerMyrtle Beach21
1980SHAWN WEATHERLYSumterMISS USA & MISS UNIVERSE
1979Janice McDonaldMyrtle Beach
1978Kathryn ThreattPickens
1977Pam HooverFlorence
1976Virginia MurrayChester3rd Runner-upState Costume
1975Robin MorrisColumbia
1974Carol Lynn HollisRock Hill22
1973Kiki KirklandNewberryCongeniality
1972Susan GordonRock HillSemi-finalist
1971Eunice CampbellEastover
1970Vicki ChesserMt. Pleasant191st Runner-upState Costume
1969Eva EngleColumbia2nd Runner-up
1968Kathryn KnoyBamberg
1967Lanette Hope PattersonCayce
1966Joselyn AlarieColumbia
1965Vicki HarrisonCayceSemi-finalist
1964Judy KennedyDalzell
1963Cecelia YoderLancaster20Semi-finalist
1962Judy ClyburnCamden20
1961Yvonne QuickBennettsville
1960Margaret ThompsonSumter
1959Mary PowellUnion
1958Patricia Ann MossYorkSemi-finalist
1957Jean SpottsNewberrySemi-finalist
1956Betty CherryOrangeburg1st Runner-up1RU Miss World 1956
1955Sara StoneFlorenceSemi-finalist
1954MIRIAM STEVENSONWinnsboroMISS USA & MISS UNIVERSE
1953Susan Anthony DayFlorenceSemi-finalist
1952Margie AllenSpartanburg18
IMAGEYEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2023Kirby Elizabeth Self*Greenwood22Previously Miss SC Teen USA 2018 (1RU Miss Teen USA)
2022Meera BhonsléLexington26
2021Marley Stokes*Lexington24Top 8Previously Miss SC Teen USA 2016 (2RU Miss Teen USA)
2020Hannah Jane CurryGreenville22
2019MaKenzie DivinaClemson21
2018Tori Sizemore*Anderson23Previously Miss SC Teen USA 2013 (1RU Miss Teen USA)
2017Megan GordonNorth Augusta23Top 5
2016Leah LawsonAnderson22Top 15
2015Sarah WeishuhnGoose Creek23
2014Christina ZapolskiCharleston22Top 10
2013Megan Pinckney*Charleston225th runner-upPreviously Miss SC Teen USA 2010
2012Erika Grace Powell^Greenville27Top 16Previously Miss SC 2005 (SF Miss America)
2011Courtney TurnerNorth Augusta20Top 8
2010Rachel LawGreenville21
2009Stephanie SmithGoose Creek21Top 10
2008Jamie HillColumbia24Top 15
2007Ashley ZaisNewberry20Top 15
2006Lacie LybrandLexington23Top 10
2005Sarah Medley*North Charleston18Previously Miss SC Teen USA 2001
2004Amanda PennekampColumbia221st runner-upLater Miss Earth USA 2006 (SF Miss Earth)
2003Anna HanksBelton21Semi-finalist
2002Ashley WilliamsLittle Mountain20Semi-finalist
2001Candace RichardsFountain Inn21
2000Lisa RabonMyrtle Beach21Semi-finalist
1999Lauren Poppell*Rock Hill23FinalistPreviously Miss SC Teen USA 1993 (SF Miss Teen USA)
1998Sonja GlennChesnee21Photogenic
1997Casey MizellIrmo22
1996Lysa JacksonCharleston21
1995Danielle CorleyLexington18T6 Miss Universe 1994
1994LU PARKERCharleston26MISS USA
1993Kelli GosnellPacolet22Semi-finalist
1992Audra WallaceCharleston222nd Runner-up
1991Traci RuftyColumbia21
1990Gina TollesonSpartanburg201st Runner-upMiss World 1990
1989Angela Shuler*Rock Hill21Previously Miss SC Teen USA 1986
1988April AbelJohnston20Semi-finalist
1987Elizabeth Woodard*Aiken21Previously Miss SC Teen USA 1983
1986Maribeth CurryGreenville20Semi-finalist
1985Ann Margarete HughesCharleston
1984Ginger GreerLugoff
1983Allison GrissoColumbia2nd Runner-up
1982Margo WoodColumbia
1981Zade TurnerMyrtle Beach21
1980SHAWN WEATHERLYSumterMISS USA & MISS UNIVERSE
1979Janice McDonaldMyrtle Beach
1978Kathryn ThreattPickens
1977Pam HooverFlorence
1976Virginia MurrayChester3rd Runner-upState Costume
1975Robin MorrisColumbia
1974Carol Lynn HollisRock Hill22
1973Kiki KirklandNewberryCongeniality
1972Susan GordonRock HillSemi-finalist
1971Eunice CampbellEastover
1970Vicki ChesserMt. Pleasant191st Runner-upState Costume
1969Eva EngleColumbia2nd Runner-up
1968Kathryn KnoyBamberg
1967Lanette Hope PattersonCayce
1966Joselyn AlarieColumbia
1965Vicki HarrisonCayceSemi-finalist
1964Judy KennedyDalzell
1963Cecelia YoderLancaster20Semi-finalist
1962Judy ClyburnCamden20
1961Yvonne QuickBennettsville
1960Margaret ThompsonSumter
1959Mary PowellUnion
1958Patricia Ann MossYorkSemi-finalist
1957Jean SpottsNewberrySemi-finalist
1956Betty CherryOrangeburg1st Runner-up1RU Miss World 1956
1955Sara StoneFlorenceSemi-finalist
1954MIRIAM STEVENSONWinnsboroMISS USA & MISS UNIVERSE
1953Susan Anthony DayFlorenceSemi-finalist
1952Margie AllenSpartanburg18

State and Miss USA Photo Album

Miss South Carolina Teen USA titleholders 1983-2022

Recent Titleholders

2019
Miss South Carolina Teen USA icon 2019
Allie Richardson

18 • Lexington

Semi-finalist
at Miss Teen USA

2020
Miss South Carolina Teen USA icon 2020
Gracen Grainger​

19 • Hamer

Semi-finalist
at Miss Teen USA

2021
Miss South Carolina Teen USA icon 2021
Augusta Roach

18 • Easley

Semi-finalist
at Miss Teen USA

2022
Miss South Carolina Teen USA icon 2022
Katie Ward

19 • Charleston

 

2023
South Carolina Teen USA icon 2023
Kenlee McVay

19 • Easley

 

Full titleholder listing

IMAGEYEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2023Kenlee McVayEasley19
2022Katie WardCharleston19
2021Augusta RoachEasley18Semi-finalist
2020Gracen GraingerHamer19Semi-finalist
2019Allie RichardsonLexington18Semi-finalist
2018Kirby Elizabeth Self*Greenwood171st runner-upLater Miss SC USA 2023
2017Alexis JohnsonMyrtle Beach18
2016Marley Stokes*Lexington192nd runner-upLater Miss SC USA 2021 (T8 Miss USA)
2015Wesley MitchellLexington19Semi-finalist
2014K LEE GRAHAMChapin17MISS TEEN USADaughter of Miss SC Teen USA 1985 Jennifer Neuen
2013Tori Sizemore*Anderson181st runner-upLater Miss SC USA 2018
2012Shannon FordGilbert17Semi-finalist
2011Keyla ChildsSummerville17Semi-finalist
2010Megan Pinckney*North Charleston18Later Miss SC USA 2013 (5RU Miss USA)
2009Mary Helen CaverNorth Augusta18
2008Brittany PjetrajChapin181st runner-up
2007Caitlin UptonLexington183rd runner-up
2006Brittany SmithLyman17Top 15
2005Lauren TaylorTravelers Rest18
2004Lindsey SporrerEasley17Top 15
2003Stephanie HortonSumter18
2002Austen BrownCharleston17Congeniality
2001Sarah Medley*North Charleston15Later Miss SC USA 2005
2000Morgan SmithLexington18
1999Hannah GroomsWallace18
1998VANESSA MINNILLOCharleston17MISS TEEN USACongeniality
1997Caroline BrigmanLatta19
1996Wendy RobertsPelzer18
1995Gariane PhillipsLeesville
1994Mary StevensonGreenvilleCongeniality
1993Lauren Poppell*Rock HillFinalistLater Miss SC USA 1999 (F Miss USA)
1992Shannon PelerinLexingtonSemi-finalist
1991Jeanie BowersProsperity
1990Kathryn HancockGreenwood
1989Michelle WarnerInman
1988Nicole AdamsWest Columbia
1987Carol CarverHilton Head
1986Angela Shuler*Rock HillLater Miss SC USA 1989
1985Jennifer NeuenFlorenceMother of Miss Teen USA 2014 K Lee Graham
1984Mary DelgadoFlorence
1983Beth Woodard*AikenLater Miss SC USA 1987
YEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2023Kenlee McVayEasley19
2022Katie WardCharleston19
2021Augusta RoachEasley18Semi-finalist
2020Gracen GraingerHamer19Semi-finalist
2019Allie RichardsonLexington18Semi-finalist
2018Kirby Elizabeth Self*Greenwood171st runner-upLater Miss SC USA 2023
2017Alexis JohnsonMyrtle Beach18
2016Marley Stokes*Lexington192nd runner-upLater Miss SC USA 2021 (T8 Miss USA)
2015Wesley MitchellLexington19Semi-finalist
2014K LEE GRAHAMChapin17MISS TEEN USADaughter of Miss SC Teen USA 1985 Jennifer Neuen
2013Tori Sizemore*Anderson181st runner-upLater Miss SC USA 2018
2012Shannon FordGilbert17Semi-finalist
2011Keyla ChildsSummerville17Semi-finalist
2010Megan Pinckney*North Charleston18Later Miss SC USA 2013 (5RU Miss USA)
2009Mary Helen CaverNorth Augusta18
2008Brittany PjetrajChapin181st runner-up
2007Caitlin UptonLexington183rd runner-up
2006Brittany SmithLyman17Top 15
2005Lauren TaylorTravelers Rest18
2004Lindsey SporrerEasley17Top 15
2003Stephanie HortonSumter18
2002Austen BrownCharleston17Congeniality
2001Sarah Medley*North Charleston15Later Miss SC USA 2005
2000Morgan SmithLexington18
1999Hannah GroomsWallace18
1998VANESSA MINNILLOCharleston17MISS TEEN USACongeniality
1997Caroline BrigmanLatta19
1996Wendy RobertsPelzer18
1995Gariane PhillipsLeesville
1994Mary StevensonGreenvilleCongeniality
1993Lauren Poppell*Rock HillFinalistLater Miss SC USA 1999 (F Miss USA)
1992Shannon PelerinLexingtonSemi-finalist
1991Jeanie BowersProsperity
1990Kathryn HancockGreenwood
1989Michelle WarnerInman
1988Nicole AdamsWest Columbia
1987Carol CarverHilton Head
1986Angela Shuler*Rock HillLater Miss SC USA 1989
1985Jennifer NeuenFlorenceMother of Miss Teen USA 2014 K Lee Graham
1984Mary DelgadoFlorence
1983Beth Woodard*AikenLater Miss SC USA 1987

State and Miss Teen USA Photo Album