Your ultimate Miss USA state pageant resource
Take a trip back into the history of the Miss Texas USA and Teen USA pageants, from the first winner to the most recent. 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.
Think Miss Texas USA history and the first thing you’ll probably think of is the Texas Aces – Texas’ five consecutive Miss USA winners from 1985-1989 – a feat likely never to be repeated. Thanks in large part to the Aces, Texas has the most Miss USA winners of any state and is tied for the most Miss Teen USA winners. They also have the honour of one Miss Universe, the iconic Chelsi Smith who sadly passed away in 2018. Texas’ greatest success came under the directorship of GuyRex – Richard Guy and Rex Holt. Former Houston directors Al and Gail Clark then ran the pageant for twenty years, and it is now under the leadership of ex-Dallas director Will Henderson.
21 • Deer Park
USA’s fifth Miss Universe
28 • Houston
21 • Houston
Semi-finalist at Miss Universe
21 • El Paso
Semi-finalist
at Miss Universe
23 • Dallas
1st runner-up
at Miss Universe
21 • Keller
2nd runner-up
at Miss Universe
21 • Fort Worth
Semi-finalist at
Miss Universe
23 • Fort Worth
2nd runner-up at
Miss Universe
24 • Austin
2nd runner-up at
Miss Universe
26 • Missouri City
Top 10 at
Miss Universe
18 • Huntsville
18 • Harlingen
18 • Tomball
Winner
Kim Tomes (1977), Laura Martinez Herring (1985), Christy Fichtner (1986), Michelle Royer (1987), Courtney Gibbs (1988), Gretchen Polhemus (1989), Chelsi Smith (1995), Kandace Krueger (2001), Crystle Stewart (2008), R’Bonney Gabriel (2022)
1st runner-up
Carelgean Douglas (1959), Diane Balloun (1964), Brenda Lynn Box (1971), Luann Caughey (1982), Lisa Allred (1983), Ylianna Guerra (2015)
2nd runner-up
Barbara Horan (1978), Nicole O’Brian (2003)
3rd runner-up
Betty Lee (1954), Ana Rodriguez (2011)
4th runner-up
Jo Dodson (1956), Aundie Evers (1975), Ali Nugent (2013), Lluvia Alzate (2023)
Top 5/6
Christine Friedel (1994), Amanda Little (1997), Holly Mills (1998)
Semi-finalist
Joan Bradshaw (1953), Mary Daughters (1955), Gloria Hunt (1957), Linda Daugherty (1958), Jackie Williams (1962), Phillis Johnson (1965), Dorothy Pickens (1966), Bonnie Robinson (1967), Sande Drewes (1969), Diane Swendeman (1970), LaVon McConnell (1973), Candace Gray (1976), Anne Hinnant (1979), Barbara Buckley (1980), Diana Durnford (1981), Laura Shaw (1984), Stephanie Kuehne (1990), Katie Young (1992), Angie Sisk (1993), Kara Williams (1996), Kasi Kelly (2002)
Top 8/10/11/12*
Lauren Lanning (2006), Magen Ellis (2007), Brooke Daniels (2009), Brittany Booker (2012), Victoria Hinojosa (2021), Aarieanna Ware (2024)
Top 15/16/20*
Stephanie Guerrero (2004), Tyler Willis (2005), Logan Lester (2018)
* Where the semi-finalists are cut in multiple stages before the top 5 or 6
Congeniality
Diane Swendeman (1970), Chelsi Smith (1995)
Photogenic
LaVon McConnell (1973), Lisa Allred (1983), Laura Shaw (1984), Tyler Willis (2005)
State Costume
Debra Cronin (1974), Kim Tomes (1977), Barbara Horan (1978)
Other Awards
Best in Swimsuit • Lluvia Alzate (2023)
IMAGE | YEAR | NAME | HOMETOWN | AGE | PLACEMENT | AWARD | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2024 | Aarieanna Ware | Dallas | 26 | Top 10 | ||
![]() | 2023 | Lluvia Alzate | Houston | 26 | 4th runner-up | ||
![]() | 2022 | Allie Drake | Dallas | 25 | Succeeded R'Bonney as Miss TX USA | ||
![]() | 2022 | R'BONNEY GABRIEL | Friendswood | 28 | Miss USA & Miss Universe | ||
![]() | 2021 | Victoria Hinojosa | McAllen | 22 | Top 8 | ||
![]() | 2020 | Taylor Kessler | Houston | 24 | |||
![]() | 2019 | Alayah Benavidez | San Antonio | 23 | |||
![]() | 2018 | Logan Lester | Houston | 23 | Top 15 | ||
![]() | 2017 | Nancy Gonzalez | Freeport | 27 | |||
![]() | 2016 | Daniella Rodriguez* | Laredo | 19 | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2013 | ||
![]() | 2015 | Ylianna Guerra | McAllen | 22 | 1st runner-up | ||
![]() | 2014 | Lauren Guzman* | Laredo | 24 | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2008 | ||
![]() | 2013 | Ali Nugent | Dallas | 20 | 4th runner-up | #Advanced to Top 6 as Fan Vote winner | |
![]() | 2012 | Brittany Booker | Houston | 21 | Top 10 | ||
![]() | 2011 | Ana Rodriguez | Laredo | 24 | 3rd runner up | ||
![]() | 2010 | Kelsey Moore | El Paso | 19 | |||
![]() | 2009 | Brooke Daniels | Tomball | 22 | Top 10 | ||
![]() | 2008 | CRYSTLE STEWART | Missouri City | 26 | Miss USA | T10 Miss Universe | |
![]() | 2007 | Magen Ellis* | Houston | 19 | Top 10 | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2004 (T10 Miss Teen USA) | |
![]() | 2006 | Lauren Lanning | Friendswood | 22 | Top 10 | ||
![]() | 2005 | Tyler Willis | Lubbock | 25 | Top 15 | Photogenic | |
![]() | 2004 | Stephanie Guerrero | Lake Jackson | 23 | Top 15 | ||
![]() | 2003 | Nicole O'Brian* | Friendswood | 20 | 2nd runner-up | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2000 (1RU Miss Teen USA) | |
![]() | 2002 | Kasi Kelly | Bridgeport | 20 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 2001 | KANDACE KRUEGER | Austin | 24 | Miss USA | 2RU Miss Universe 2001 | |
![]() | 2000 | Heather Ogilvie | Houston | 22 | |||
![]() | 1999 | Carissa Blair* | Houston | 23 | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 1992 | ||
![]() | 1998 | Holly Mills | San Antonio | 22 | Finalist | ||
![]() | 1997 | Amanda Little | Wylie | 20 | Finalist | ||
![]() | 1996 | Kara Williams* | Houston | 23 | Semi-finalist | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 1991 (SF Miss Teen USA) | |
![]() | 1995 | CHELSI SMITH | Deer Park | 21 | Miss USA & Miss Universe | Congeniality | † 2018 |
![]() | 1994 | Christine Friedel | El Paso | 22 | Finalist | ||
![]() | 1993 | Angie Sisk | Houston | 21 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1992 | Katie Young | Fort Worth | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1991 | Chris Bogard | Tomball | 23 | |||
![]() | 1990 | Stephanie Kuehne | Missouri City | 22 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1989 | GRETCHEN POLHEMUS | Fort Worth | 23 | Miss USA | 2RU Miss Universe 1989 | |
![]() | 1988 | COURTNEY GIBBS | Fort Worth | 21 | Miss USA | SF Miss Universe 1988 | |
![]() | 1987 | MICHELLE ROYER | Keller | 21 | Miss USA | 2RU Miss Universe 1987 | |
![]() | 1986 | CHRISTY FICHTNER | Dallas | 23 | Miss USA | 1RU Miss Universe 1986 | |
![]() | 1985 | LAURA MARTINEZ HERRING | El Paso | 21 | Miss USA | SF Miss Universe 1985 | |
![]() | 1984 | Laura Shaw | Burleson | 19 | Semi-finalist | Photogenic | |
![]() | 1983 | Lisa Allred | Fort Worth | 21 | 1st runner-up | Photogenic | 6RU Miss World 1983 |
![]() | 1982 | Luann Caughey | Abilene | 22 | 1st runner-up | 4RU Miss World 1982 | |
![]() | 1981 | Diana Durnford | El Paso | 22 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1980 | Barbara Buckley | Midland | 22 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1979 | Anne Hinnant | Houston | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1978 | Barbara Horan | Dallas | 21 | 2nd runner-up | State Costume | |
![]() | 1977 | KIMBERLY TOMES | Houston | 21 | Miss USA | State Costume | SF Miss Universe 1977 |
![]() | 1976 | Candace Gray† | El Paso | 20 | Semi-finalist | † 1981 (killed in a diving accident in Mexico) | |
![]() | 1975 | Aundie Evers | El Paso | 19 | 4th runner-up | ||
![]() | 1974 | Debra Cronin | McDade | 18 | State Costume | ||
![]() | 1973 | LaVon McConnell | Haltom | 19 | Semi-finalist | Photogenic | |
![]() | 1972 | Susan Peters | Austin | 21 | |||
![]() | 1971 | Brenda Lynn Box† | Amarillo | 19 | 1st runner-up | † 2022 | |
![]() | 1970 | Diane Swendeman | Austin | 21 | Semi-finalist | Congeniality | |
![]() | 1969 | Sande Drewes | Dallas | 23 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1968 | Jeannie Wilson | Dallas | 21 | |||
![]() | 1967 | Bonnie Robinson | Houston | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
x![]() | 1966 | Dorothy Pickens | Edinburg | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1965 | Phillis Johnson | Galveston | 21 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1964 | Diane Balloun | Houston | 19 | 1st runner-up | ||
![]() | 1963 | Cheryl Wilburn | Houston | 18 | |||
![]() | 1962 | Jackie Williams | Waxahachie | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1961 | Sheila Wade | Dallas | 18 | |||
![]() | 1960 | Pat Cloud | Houston | 20 | |||
![]() | 1959 | Carelgean Douglas | Corpus Christi | 20 | 1st runner-up | ||
![]() | 1958 | Linda Daugherty | Abilene | 18 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1957 | Gloria Hunt | Corpus Christi | 20 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1956 | Jo Dodson | Cleburne | 18 | 4th runner-up | ||
![]() | 1955 | Mary Daughters | Kingsville | 18 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1954 | Betty Lee | Austin | 20 | 3rd runner-up | ||
![]() | 1953 | Joan Bradshaw | Houston | 18 | Semi-finalist | ||
![]() | 1952 | Charlene McClary | Houston | 25 |
YEAR | NAME | HOMETOWN | AGE | PLACEMENT | AWARD | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Aarieanna Ware | Dallas | 26 | Top 10 | ||
2023 | Lluvia Alzate | Houston | 26 | 4th runner-up | ||
2022 | Allie Drake | Dallas | 25 | Succeeded R'Bonney as Miss TX USA | ||
2022 | R'BONNEY GABRIEL | Friendswood | 28 | Miss USA & Miss Universe | ||
2021 | Victoria Hinojosa | McAllen | 22 | Top 8 | ||
2020 | Taylor Kessler | Houston | 24 | |||
2019 | Alayah Benavidez | San Antonio | 23 | |||
2018 | Logan Lester | Houston | 23 | Top 15 | ||
2017 | Nancy Gonzalez | Freeport | 27 | |||
2016 | Daniella Rodriguez* | Laredo | 19 | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2013 | ||
2015 | Ylianna Guerra | McAllen | 22 | 1st runner-up | ||
2014 | Lauren Guzman* | Laredo | 24 | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2008 | ||
2013 | Ali Nugent | Dallas | 20 | 4th runner-up | #Advanced to Top 6 as Fan Vote winner | |
2012 | Brittany Booker | Houston | 21 | Top 10 | ||
2011 | Ana Rodriguez | Laredo | 24 | 3rd runner up | ||
2010 | Kelsey Moore | El Paso | 19 | |||
2009 | Brooke Daniels | Tomball | 22 | Top 10 | ||
2008 | CRYSTLE STEWART | Missouri City | 26 | Miss USA | T10 Miss Universe | |
2007 | Magen Ellis* | Houston | 19 | Top 10 | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2004 (T10 Miss Teen USA) | |
2006 | Lauren Lanning | Friendswood | 22 | Top 10 | ||
2005 | Tyler Willis | Lubbock | 25 | Top 15 | Photogenic | |
2004 | Stephanie Guerrero | Lake Jackson | 23 | Top 15 | ||
2003 | Nicole O'Brian* | Friendswood | 20 | 2nd runner-up | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2000 (1RU Miss Teen USA) | |
2002 | Kasi Kelly | Bridgeport | 20 | Semi-finalist | ||
2001 | KANDACE KRUEGER | Austin | 24 | Miss USA | 2RU Miss Universe 2001 | |
2000 | Heather Ogilvie | Houston | 22 | |||
1999 | Carissa Blair* | Houston | 23 | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 1992 | ||
1998 | Holly Mills | San Antonio | 22 | Finalist | ||
1997 | Amanda Little | Wylie | 20 | Finalist | ||
1996 | Kara Williams* | Houston | 23 | Semi-finalist | Previously Miss TX Teen USA 1991 (SF Miss Teen USA) | |
1995 | CHELSI SMITH | Deer Park | 21 | Miss USA & Miss Universe | Congeniality | † 2018 |
1994 | Christine Friedel | El Paso | 22 | Finalist | ||
1993 | Angie Sisk | Houston | 21 | Semi-finalist | ||
1992 | Katie Young | Fort Worth | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
1991 | Chris Bogard | Tomball | 23 | |||
1990 | Stephanie Kuehne | Missouri City | 22 | Semi-finalist | ||
1989 | GRETCHEN POLHEMUS | Fort Worth | 23 | Miss USA | 2RU Miss Universe 1989 | |
1988 | COURTNEY GIBBS | Fort Worth | 21 | Miss USA | SF Miss Universe 1988 | |
1987 | MICHELLE ROYER | Keller | 21 | Miss USA | 2RU Miss Universe 1987 | |
1986 | CHRISTY FICHTNER | Dallas | 23 | Miss USA | 1RU Miss Universe 1986 | |
1985 | LAURA MARTINEZ HERRING | El Paso | 21 | Miss USA | SF Miss Universe 1985 | |
1984 | Laura Shaw | Burleson | 19 | Semi-finalist | Photogenic | |
1983 | Lisa Allred | Fort Worth | 21 | 1st runner-up | Photogenic | 6RU Miss World 1983 |
1982 | Luann Caughey | Abilene | 22 | 1st runner-up | 4RU Miss World 1982 | |
1981 | Diana Durnford | El Paso | 22 | Semi-finalist | ||
1980 | Barbara Buckley | Midland | 22 | Semi-finalist | ||
1979 | Anne Hinnant | Houston | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
1978 | Barbara Horan | Dallas | 21 | 2nd runner-up | State Costume | |
1977 | KIMBERLY TOMES | Houston | 21 | Miss USA | State Costume | SF Miss Universe 1977 |
1976 | Candace Gray† | El Paso | 20 | Semi-finalist | † 1981 (killed in a diving accident in Mexico) | |
1975 | Aundie Evers | El Paso | 19 | 4th runner-up | ||
1974 | Debra Cronin | McDade | 18 | State Costume | ||
1973 | LaVon McConnell | Haltom | 19 | Semi-finalist | Photogenic | |
1972 | Susan Peters | Austin | 21 | |||
1971 | Brenda Lynn Box† | Amarillo | 19 | 1st runner-up | † 2022 | |
1970 | Diane Swendeman | Austin | 21 | Semi-finalist | Congeniality | |
1969 | Sande Drewes | Dallas | 23 | Semi-finalist | ||
1968 | Jeannie Wilson | Dallas | 21 | |||
1967 | Bonnie Robinson | Houston | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
1966 | Dorothy Pickens | Edinburg | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
1965 | Phillis Johnson | Galveston | 21 | Semi-finalist | ||
1964 | Diane Balloun | Houston | 19 | 1st runner-up | ||
1963 | Cheryl Wilburn | Houston | 18 | |||
1962 | Jackie Williams | Waxahachie | 19 | Semi-finalist | ||
1961 | Sheila Wade | Dallas | 18 | |||
1960 | Pat Cloud | Houston | 20 | |||
1959 | Carelgean Douglas | Corpus Christi | 20 | 1st runner-up | ||
1958 | Linda Daugherty | Abilene | 18 | Semi-finalist | ||
1957 | Gloria Hunt | Corpus Christi | 20 | Semi-finalist | ||
1956 | Jo Dodson | Cleburne | 18 | 4th runner-up | ||
1955 | Mary Daughters | Kingsville | 18 | Semi-finalist | ||
1954 | Betty Lee | Austin | 20 | 3rd runner-up | ||
1953 | Joan Bradshaw | Houston | 18 | Semi-finalist | ||
1952 | Charlene McClary | Houston | 25 |