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Miss Texas USA and Teen USA Titleholder History

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.

Miss Texas USA titleholders at Miss Texas USA 2022 • Credit: Select Studios
Miss Texas USA titleholders at Miss Texas USA 2022 • Credit: Select Studios

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A guide to the state titleholder listings...

Miss Texas USA and Teen USA Titleholder History

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.

Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders from Texas

MISS UNIVERSE 1995

Chelsi
Smith

21 • Deer Park

USA’s fifth Miss Universe

MISS UNIVERSE 2022

R'Bonney Gabriel

28 • Houston

 

MISS USA 1977

Miss USA winner icon 1977 • Texas
Kimberly Tomes

21 • Houston

Semi-finalist at Miss Universe

MISS USA 1985

Miss USA winner icon 1985 • Texas
Laura Martinez-Herring

21 • El Paso

Semi-finalist
at Miss Universe

MISS USA 1986

Miss USA winner icon 1986 • Texas
Christy Fichtner

23 • Dallas

1st runner-up
at Miss Universe

MISS USA 1987

Miss USA winner icon 1987 • Texas
Michelle
Royer

21 • Keller

2nd runner-up
at Miss Universe

MISS USA 1988

Miss USA winner icon 1988 • Texas
Courtney Gibbs

21 • Fort Worth

Semi-finalist at
Miss Universe

MISS USA 1989

Gretchen Polhemus

23 • Fort Worth

2nd runner-up at
Miss Universe

MISS USA 2008

Miss USA winner icon 2001 • Texas
Kandace Krueger

24 • Austin

2nd runner-up at
Miss Universe

MISS USA 2008

Miss USA winner icon 2008 • Texas
Crystle Stewart

26 • Missouri City

Top 10 at
Miss Universe

MISS TEEN USA 1996

Christie Lee Woods

18 • Huntsville

 

MISS TEEN USA 2011

Danielle
Doty

18 • Harlingen

 

MISS TEEN USA 2016

Karlie
Hay

18 • Tomball

 

Miss Texas USA titleholders 1952-2022

Recent titleholders

2020
Texas USA icon 2020
Taylor Kessler

24 • Houston

 

2021
Texas USA icon 2021
Victoria Hinojosa

22 • McAllen

Top 8
at Miss USA

2022
Texas USA icon 2022
R'Bonney Gabriel

28 • Friendswood

Winner of Miss USA &
Miss Universe

2022
Allie Drake

25 • Dallas

Assumed Miss TX USA title

2023
Texas USA icon 2023
Lluvia Alzate

26 • Houston

4th runner-up
at Miss USA

2024
Miss Texas USA 2024 Aarieanna Ware
Aarieanna Ware

26 • Dallas

Top 10
at Miss USA

Placements and Awards Summary

Placements

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

Awards

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 SwimsuitLluvia Alzate (2023)

24 May 1971 • Miss USA Michele McDonald of Pennsylvania poses with her court... Brenda Box, Texas, left; Susanne Pottenger, Arizona; Nancy Rich of Missouri and Patricia Barnstable of Kentucky

Full Titleholder Listing

IMAGEYEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2024Aarieanna WareDallas26Top 10
2023Lluvia AlzateHouston264th runner-up
2022Allie DrakeDallas25Succeeded R'Bonney as Miss TX USA
2022R'BONNEY GABRIELFriendswood28Miss USA & Miss Universe
2021Victoria HinojosaMcAllen22Top 8
2020Taylor KesslerHouston24
2019Alayah BenavidezSan Antonio23
2018Logan LesterHouston23Top 15
2017Nancy GonzalezFreeport27
2016Daniella Rodriguez*Laredo19Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2013
2015Ylianna GuerraMcAllen221st runner-up
2014Lauren Guzman*Laredo24Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2008
2013Ali NugentDallas204th runner-up#Advanced to Top 6 as Fan Vote winner
2012Brittany BookerHouston21Top 10
2011Ana RodriguezLaredo243rd runner up
2010Kelsey MooreEl Paso19
2009Brooke DanielsTomball22Top 10
2008CRYSTLE STEWARTMissouri City26Miss USAT10 Miss Universe
2007Magen Ellis*Houston19Top 10Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2004 (T10 Miss Teen USA)
2006Lauren LanningFriendswood22Top 10
2005Tyler WillisLubbock25Top 15Photogenic
2004Stephanie GuerreroLake Jackson23Top 15
2003Nicole O'Brian*Friendswood202nd runner-upPreviously Miss TX Teen USA 2000 (1RU Miss Teen USA)
2002Kasi KellyBridgeport20Semi-finalist
2001KANDACE KRUEGERAustin24Miss USA2RU Miss Universe 2001
2000Heather OgilvieHouston22
1999Carissa Blair*Houston23Previously Miss TX Teen USA 1992
1998Holly MillsSan Antonio22Finalist
1997Amanda LittleWylie20Finalist
1996Kara Williams*Houston23Semi-finalistPreviously Miss TX Teen USA 1991 (SF Miss Teen USA)
1995CHELSI SMITHDeer Park21Miss USA & Miss UniverseCongeniality† 2018
1994Christine FriedelEl Paso22Finalist
1993Angie SiskHouston21Semi-finalist
1992Katie YoungFort Worth19Semi-finalist
1991Chris BogardTomball23
1990Stephanie KuehneMissouri City22Semi-finalist
1989GRETCHEN POLHEMUSFort Worth23Miss USA2RU Miss Universe 1989
1988COURTNEY GIBBSFort Worth21Miss USASF Miss Universe 1988
1987MICHELLE ROYERKeller21Miss USA2RU Miss Universe 1987
1986CHRISTY FICHTNERDallas23Miss USA1RU Miss Universe 1986
1985LAURA MARTINEZ HERRINGEl Paso21Miss USASF Miss Universe 1985
1984Laura ShawBurleson19Semi-finalistPhotogenic
1983Lisa AllredFort Worth211st runner-upPhotogenic6RU Miss World 1983
1982Luann CaugheyAbilene221st runner-up4RU Miss World 1982
1981Diana DurnfordEl Paso22Semi-finalist
1980Barbara BuckleyMidland22Semi-finalist
1979Anne HinnantHouston19Semi-finalist
1978Barbara HoranDallas212nd runner-upState Costume
1977KIMBERLY TOMESHouston21Miss USAState CostumeSF Miss Universe 1977
1976Candace Gray†El Paso20Semi-finalist† 1981 (killed in a diving accident in Mexico)
1975Aundie EversEl Paso194th runner-up
1974Debra CroninMcDade18State Costume
1973LaVon McConnellHaltom19Semi-finalistPhotogenic
1972Susan PetersAustin21
1971Brenda Lynn Box†Amarillo191st runner-up† 2022
1970Diane SwendemanAustin21Semi-finalistCongeniality
1969Sande DrewesDallas23Semi-finalist
1968Jeannie WilsonDallas21
1967Bonnie RobinsonHouston19Semi-finalist
x1966Dorothy PickensEdinburg19Semi-finalist
1965Phillis JohnsonGalveston21Semi-finalist
1964Diane BallounHouston191st runner-up
1963Cheryl WilburnHouston18
1962Jackie WilliamsWaxahachie19Semi-finalist
1961Sheila WadeDallas18
1960Pat CloudHouston20
1959Carelgean DouglasCorpus Christi201st runner-up
1958Linda DaughertyAbilene18Semi-finalist
1957Gloria HuntCorpus Christi20Semi-finalist
1956Jo DodsonCleburne184th runner-up
1955Mary DaughtersKingsville18Semi-finalist
1954Betty LeeAustin203rd runner-up
1953Joan BradshawHouston18Semi-finalist
1952Charlene McClaryHouston25
YEARNAMEHOMETOWNAGEPLACEMENTAWARDNOTES
2024Aarieanna WareDallas26Top 10
2023Lluvia AlzateHouston264th runner-up
2022Allie DrakeDallas25Succeeded R'Bonney as Miss TX USA
2022R'BONNEY GABRIELFriendswood28Miss USA & Miss Universe
2021Victoria HinojosaMcAllen22Top 8
2020Taylor KesslerHouston24
2019Alayah BenavidezSan Antonio23
2018Logan LesterHouston23Top 15
2017Nancy GonzalezFreeport27
2016Daniella Rodriguez*Laredo19Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2013
2015Ylianna GuerraMcAllen221st runner-up
2014Lauren Guzman*Laredo24Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2008
2013Ali NugentDallas204th runner-up#Advanced to Top 6 as Fan Vote winner
2012Brittany BookerHouston21Top 10
2011Ana RodriguezLaredo243rd runner up
2010Kelsey MooreEl Paso19
2009Brooke DanielsTomball22Top 10
2008CRYSTLE STEWARTMissouri City26Miss USAT10 Miss Universe
2007Magen Ellis*Houston19Top 10Previously Miss TX Teen USA 2004 (T10 Miss Teen USA)
2006Lauren LanningFriendswood22Top 10
2005Tyler WillisLubbock25Top 15Photogenic
2004Stephanie GuerreroLake Jackson23Top 15
2003Nicole O'Brian*Friendswood202nd runner-upPreviously Miss TX Teen USA 2000 (1RU Miss Teen USA)
2002Kasi KellyBridgeport20Semi-finalist
2001KANDACE KRUEGERAustin24Miss USA2RU Miss Universe 2001
2000Heather OgilvieHouston22
1999Carissa Blair*Houston23Previously Miss TX Teen USA 1992
1998Holly MillsSan Antonio22Finalist
1997Amanda LittleWylie20Finalist
1996Kara Williams*Houston23Semi-finalistPreviously Miss TX Teen USA 1991 (SF Miss Teen USA)
1995CHELSI SMITHDeer Park21Miss USA & Miss UniverseCongeniality† 2018
1994Christine FriedelEl Paso22Finalist
1993Angie SiskHouston21Semi-finalist
1992Katie YoungFort Worth19Semi-finalist
1991Chris BogardTomball23
1990Stephanie KuehneMissouri City22Semi-finalist
1989GRETCHEN POLHEMUSFort Worth23Miss USA2RU Miss Universe 1989
1988COURTNEY GIBBSFort Worth21Miss USASF Miss Universe 1988
1987MICHELLE ROYERKeller21Miss USA2RU Miss Universe 1987
1986CHRISTY FICHTNERDallas23Miss USA1RU Miss Universe 1986
1985LAURA MARTINEZ HERRINGEl Paso21Miss USASF Miss Universe 1985
1984Laura ShawBurleson19Semi-finalistPhotogenic
1983Lisa AllredFort Worth211st runner-upPhotogenic6RU Miss World 1983
1982Luann CaugheyAbilene221st runner-up4RU Miss World 1982
1981Diana DurnfordEl Paso22Semi-finalist
1980Barbara BuckleyMidland22Semi-finalist
1979Anne HinnantHouston19Semi-finalist
1978Barbara HoranDallas212nd runner-upState Costume
1977KIMBERLY TOMESHouston21Miss USAState CostumeSF Miss Universe 1977
1976Candace Gray†El Paso20Semi-finalist† 1981 (killed in a diving accident in Mexico)
1975Aundie EversEl Paso194th runner-up
1974Debra CroninMcDade18State Costume
1973LaVon McConnellHaltom19Semi-finalistPhotogenic
1972Susan PetersAustin21
1971Brenda Lynn Box†Amarillo191st runner-up† 2022
1970Diane SwendemanAustin21Semi-finalistCongeniality
1969Sande DrewesDallas23Semi-finalist
1968Jeannie WilsonDallas21
1967Bonnie RobinsonHouston19Semi-finalist
1966Dorothy PickensEdinburg19Semi-finalist
1965Phillis JohnsonGalveston21Semi-finalist
1964Diane BallounHouston191st runner-up
1963Cheryl WilburnHouston18
1962Jackie WilliamsWaxahachie19Semi-finalist
1961Sheila WadeDallas18
1960Pat CloudHouston20
1959Carelgean DouglasCorpus Christi201st runner-up
1958Linda DaughertyAbilene18Semi-finalist
1957Gloria HuntCorpus Christi20Semi-finalist
1956Jo DodsonCleburne184th runner-up
1955Mary DaughtersKingsville18Semi-finalist
1954Betty LeeAustin203rd runner-up
1953Joan BradshawHouston18Semi-finalist
1952Charlene McClaryHouston25

State and Miss USA Photo Album