Miss Virginia USA and Teen USA Titleholder History

Early Years

In the early years of the Miss USA competition, Virginia sent a representative every year except 1962 & 1963.  They had little success until the late 1960s, with the exception of 1954 when Ellen Whitehead placed first runner-up and then was promptly disqualified for being underage.  Their fortunes turned around in 1968 with a four-year streak including two semi-finalist placements and becoming the first state to win back-to-back Miss USA titles.   Since then they have placed consistently every decade, including six placements in eight years from 1975–1982.

A Most Photogenic State

Virginia has more Miss USA Photogenic awards than any other state.  In the five years from 1967 to 1971 Virginia received three Photogenic awards in addition to their early placement streak.  They went on to win a further three Photogenic awards, in 1982, 1994 and 1997.  In addition, long-time director Kim Nicewonder won Congeniality in 1989.  The Teen titleholders have yet to win a special award.

Teen fortunes

Virginia was a strong performer in Miss Teen USA for many years.  Tina Marocco finished first runner-up in the first pageant in 1983 and Angela Thigpen placed third runner-up in 1986.  After a string of success from 2005-2010, Virginia ran out of luck and have not placed since.

Crossovers

Virginia has crowned 13 former Miss Teen USA titleholders, more than any other state (and there are more who have competed but did not win).  Unusually this has included a mix of former Teens both from Virginia and other states.  Likewise, there are two Miss VA Teen USA titleholders who competed at Miss USA representing other states.  Kristi Glakas is one of a very small group who have competed at Miss Teen USA, Miss USA and Miss America.  Samantha Casey made the top five at both Miss Teen USA and Miss USA.  The full list of Teen to Miss crossovers includes:

• Audra Wilks – Miss Virginia Teen USA 1988 & Miss Virginia USA 1997 (Photogenic at Miss USA)
• Stephanie Satterfield – Miss Virginia Teen USA 1989 & Miss Virginia USA 1993
• Kristel Jenkins – Miss Virginia Teen USA 1995 & Miss Virginia USA 2001
• Kristi Glakas – Miss Virginia Teen USA 1999 (Semi-finalist at Miss Teen USA), Miss Virginia USA 2004 & Miss Virginia 2005 (3RU at Miss America)
• Lauren Barnette – Miss Virginia Teen USA 2002 & Miss Virginia USA 2007 (Top 10 at Miss USA)
• Amber Copley – Miss Virginia Teen USA 2003 & Miss Virginia USA 2006
• Tori Hall – Miss Virginia Teen USA 2005 (Top 10 at Miss Teen USA) & Miss Virginia USA 2008
• Samantha Casey – Miss Virginia Teen USA 2006 (3rd runner-up at Miss Teen USA) & Miss Virginia USA 2010 (2nd runner-up at Miss USA)
• Megan Myrehn – Miss Virginia Teen USA 2008 (Semi-finalists at Miss Teen USA) & Miss Indiana USA 2012
• Jacque Carroll – Miss Virginia Teen USA 2010 (Semi-finalist at Miss Teen USA) & Miss Virginia USA 2017
• Susie Evans – Miss Virginia Teen USA 2011 & Miss Virginia USA 2020
• Caelynn Miller-Keyes – Miss Virginia Teen USA 2013 & Miss North Carolina USA 2018 (1st runner-up at Miss USA)
• Catherine Muldoon – Miss New York Teen USA 2004 (Top 10 at Miss Teen USA) & Miss Virginia USA 2012
• Courtney Smits – Miss Georgia Teen USA 2012 (Semi-finalist at Miss Teen USA) & Miss Virginia USA 2019
• Christina Thompson – Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2013 (Semi-finalist at Miss Teen USA) & Miss Virginia USA 2021 (Top 16 at Miss USA)

In addition to Kristi Glakas, Miss Virginia USA and Teen USA winners who have also competed at Miss America are:

• Jennifer Pitts – Miss Virginia 2002 & Miss Virginia 2005
• Desi Williams – Miss Virginia 2013 & Miss Virginia USA 2016 (Top 10 at Miss USA)
• Andrea Ballengee – Miss Virginia Teen USA 1992 was crowned Miss Virginia 1995 but was dethroned

Family connections

There have been a number of family connections among the Virginia titleholders.  I was excited to discover, having been previously unaware, that Miss Virginia USA 1966 Bev Johnson is the sister of Miss USA 1964 Bobbi Johnson (of DC).  Miss Virginia USA 2015 Laura Puleo is the sister of Miss NC USA 2004 Ashley Puleo and Miss Virginia USA 2021 Christina Thompson is the daughter of Miss Ohio USA 1987 Hallie Bonnell.

Reality TV

Miss Virginia Teen USA 1991 Linda Overhue went on to compete on Extreme Dodgeball in 2004 and the Lingerie Bowl in 2005.  Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find any news articles or photos from her year as Miss VA Teen USA.  In 2017 Miss Virginia USA 2006 Desi Williams was a castaway on Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, the 35th season of Survivor, finishing in 11thT place.  Miss Virginia Teen USA 2013 & Miss North Carolina USA 2018 Caelynn Miller-Keyes appeared on season 23 of The Bachelor (missing the opportunity to crown her successor while she was on the show) and season 6 of Bachelor in Paradise and Miss Virginia Teen USA 2011 & Miss Virginia USA 2020 Susie Evans was the winner of The Bachelor season 26.