Miss Washington Explained

Miss Washington
Formation:1926
Type:Beauty pageant
Headquarters:Puyallup
Location:Washington
Membership:Miss America
Language:English
Key People:Peggy Miller (Executive Director)
Website:Official website

The Miss Washington competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Washington in the Miss America pageant.

Hermona Girmary of Seattle was crowned Miss Washington 2024 on July 6, 2024, at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center in Olympia. She will compete for the title of Miss America 2025.

History

Washington first sent delegates to Miss America in 1926 with Leona Fengler, Miss Seattle. She was sponsored by the Seattle Times newspaper, a practice common in the early days of Miss America pageants. She was pictured in the paper leaving in a biplane for her cross-country flight to Atlantic City, where she was voted "Prettiest Girl in an Evening Gown." In 1987, Fendler was featured again in the newly-revived Miss Seattle Pageant.

The Depression and war years caused sporadic participation by Washington contestants in the Miss America pageant, but the Miss Washington pageant was revived in 1948 and held in Ephrata, with a $1000 scholarship offered to the winner.[1] In 1949 the pageant was a "financial flop" and the winner had to seek community donations to fund her appearance at Miss America. At the time the organization was so deeply in debt that the titleholder's tiara was nearly repossessed by the manufacturer.[2] [3] [4]

From 1961 to 1997 the pageant was hosted by Vancouver, under a number of executive directors before moving to the Tri-Cities under the directorship of Chamber President, Dorothy Schoeppach. Under the direction of Schoeppach the local programs again grew from 9 to 22. Two years later the pageant moved to Tacoma under the directorship of Joan Dehn and Mike Shinkle.

The competition was held in Renton or Des Moines, WA beginning in 2008 under the directorship of Charlie VanTramp and then Peggy Miller and Patti Belik, except for 2021, which was held at Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, WA, due to pandemic restrictions. . In 2023, the competition as well as all of its annual events moved to Olympia, WA, to the Capital High School Performing Arts Center.

The Miss Washington Scholarship Organization is a 501(c)4 organization, and its scholarship arm, MWSO Miracle, Inc. is a 501(c)3, where donations are tax deductible.[5] [6]

Results summary

Following is a visual summary of the results of Miss Washington titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

Placements

Awards

Preliminary awards

Non-finalist awards

Other awards

Winners

YearNameHometownAgeLocal TitleMiss America TalentPlacement at Miss AmericaSpecial scholarships at Miss AmericaNotes
2024Hermona GirmaySeattle23Miss SeattleTBATBA
2023Vanessa MunsonBattle Ground23Miss Clark CountyPreliminary Evening Gown winner, Miss Washington 2023.
2022Regan GalloPuyallup23Miss Pierce CountyDancePreviously Top 10 at Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2016.

Third Runner Up at Miss Washington Volunteer 2022

2021Maddie Louder[7] Seattle23Miss Emerald CityDanceCompeted at Miss Oklahoma 2018 and 2019 Later became Miss Washington Volunteer 2024
2019–20Abbie Kondel[8] Brush Prairie21Miss Clark CountyPower Tap Dance, "Sax" by Fleur EastFirst Runner Up at Miss Washington 2018. Top 10 at Miss Washington 2017.
2018Danamarie McNicholl[9] Spokane23Miss Columbia BasinPiano, "Curse of the Black Pearl" from Pirates of the CaribbeanTop 15[10] First Runner Up at Miss Washington 2017. Competed at Miss Washington 2016.
2017Nicole Renard[11] Kennewick22Miss RainierJazz Dance, "I Love Me" by Meghan TrainorPreviously Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2011[12]

Previously Distinguished Young Woman of America 2013[13] Semi Finalist at Miss California 2016
2016Alicia Cooper[14] Vancouver21Miss Clark CountyTap Dance, "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez3rd runner-up1st runner-up at Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2011 pageant[15] Third Runner up and Preliminary Swimsuit Winner at Miss Washington 2014. Top 10 at Miss Washington 2013.
2015Lizzi Jackson[16] Bellingham23Miss RainierVocal, "This Will Be An Everlasting Love"STEM Scholarship AwardPreviously competed at Miss Washington 2014
2014Kailee DunnKennewick22Miss SpokaneVocal, "Someone Like You" from Jekyll & HydePreviously competed at Miss Washington 2012 and 2013.
2013Reina Almon[17] Yakima21Miss EvergreenVocal, "I (Who Have Nothing)"Previously Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2009[18]

First Runner Up at Miss Washington 2012 and Contestant at National Sweetheart 2012 pageant
2012Mandy SchendelNewcastle22Miss EastsideVocal, "My Wish"Top 10Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award

Quality of Life Award Finalist
Was chosen 16th as the "Judges Choice" during the televised Miss America 2013 pageant

Previously Miss Washington Teen USA 2008

2nd runner-up at Miss Washington USA 2012 pageant[19]
2011Brittney HenryPuyallup24Miss EastsideFiddle, "Celtic Fiddle Medley"Non-finalist Talent AwardFirst Runner Up at Miss Washington 2010 and Contestant at National Sweetheart 2010 pageant
2010Jacquie BrownVancouver21Miss Greater VancouverVocal, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"3rd runner-up
2009Devanni PartridgeAuburn20Miss SeattlePiano, "Malagueña"
2008Janet HardingYelm21Miss TahomaPiano
2007Elyse UmemotoWapato23Miss SeattlePopular Vocal, "Angels"2nd runner-up[20] [21] First Runner Up at Miss Washington 2006 and 3rd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant

Contestant on
2006Kristen EddingsSilverdale22Miss KitsapVocal, "For Once in My Life"Top 10Competed for Miss Washington 2002
2005Tina MaresLynnwood25Miss Sno-isleClassical Piano, "Nocturne in C-sharp minor" by Chopin
2004Allison PorterTacoma24Miss SeattleClassical Violin, "Concerto in E Minor"
2003Fianna DicksonSpokane24Miss SpokaneJazz Dance, "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive"Non-finalist Interview AwardContestant at National Sweetheart 2000 pageant
2002Amanda BeersRichland20Miss Tri-CitiesClassical Piano, "Sonata Opus 31" by BeethovenTop 15
2001Breann ParriottPuyallup23Miss Pierce CountyContemporary Ballet en Pointe, Music from West Side StoryLater Miss Washington USA 2003
2000Semmelle FordTacoma19Classical Vocal, "Art Is Calling for Me" from The Enchantress by Victor Herbert
1999Tina Willis20Vocal, "Remember Me"
1998Mariana Loya[22] 19Classical Violin, "Concerto in E Minor"Miss America Scholar Later Miss Arizona USA 2005
1997Monta MoniquePasco24Miss SeattleClassical Piano, "Rigoletto Paraphrase" by Franz Liszt
1996Janet ReasonsPort Orchard22Miss Pierce CountySemi-classical Vocal, "Half a Moment" from By Jeeves
1995Amber HamiltonAuburn18Miss AuburnJazz Dance, "Last Dance"
1994Annalee KleinEnumclaw24Miss SeaTacCountry Vocal, "Sweet Dreams"
1993Teri Ann PlanteNormandy Park22Miss Whatcom CountyTap Dance
1992Colleen KearneyBellevue26Miss IssaquahJazz Piano, "Dizzy Fingers" by Zez Confrey
1991SoYoung KwonOlympia22Miss SeattleClassical Piano, "Mephisto Waltz"Top 10
1990Lynnae ThurikLake Oswego, Oregon26Miss Clark CountyClassical Piano
1989Jennifer Wall[23] Issaquah20Miss IssaquahPiano, "Opus 706" by Carl Wilhelm KernTop 10
1988Talia WatlandPoulsbo24Miss SeattleVocal, "Pour on the Power"
1987Sharon DeanIssaquah21Miss IssaquahVocal Medley
1986Melanie CobbVancouver24Miss Clark CountyVocal, "Let's Hear It For Me" from Funny Lady
1985Honey Castro[24] Moses Lake19Miss Moses LakeVocal, "What Did I Have I Don't Have Now" from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever3rd runner-up[25] Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship
1984Rebecca WoodSpokane21Miss Greater TacomaVocal, "If I Ruled the World"
1983Jennifer Havlin[26] Bellingham24Miss Whatcom CountyCharacter Ballet, "On Golden Pond"
1982Monica HardBellevue23Miss BurienVocal Medley, "Sweet Inspiration" & "Where You Lead"
1981Kristine WeitzMoses Lake19Miss Tri-CitiesJazz Vocal, "Summertime"Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Non-finalist Talent Award
1980Doris HayesTacoma20Miss Pierce CountyJazz Vocal, "Love Is Here to Stay"Top 10Preliminary Talent Award (tie)First African American preliminary winner[27]
1979Janelle MartzNormandy Park22Miss Des MoinesClassical Piano, "Piano Concerto in A Minor" by Edvard Grieg
1978Laurie Nelson[28] Gig Harbor19Miss Pierce CountyVocal, "Have I Stayed Too Long At the Fair?"4th runner-up
1977Natasha SolovjevBurien19Miss BurienClassical Piano, Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky
1976Theresa AdamsWenatchee19Miss Greater WenatcheeClassical Piano, "Prelude in G minor" by RachmaninoffAssumed to the title after Lambert resigned
Sharon LambertTacomaMiss Pierce Countycolspan="3"
1975Lee Ann HibbertShoreline22Miss NorthshoreVocal / Jazz Improvisation, "That's a Fine Kind O' Freedom"
1974Charlene MyersBurienMiss Buriencolspan=3
Kathleen MooreBothell22Miss NorthshoreClassical Vocal, "Italian Street Song"Top 10Later resigned
1973Leslie MaysMercer Island23Miss BellevueJazz Dance, "The 'In' Crowd"Top 10Preliminary Swimsuit Award[29]
1972Rebecca PozziKent20Miss KentVocal Medley, "Consider Yourself" & "I'd Do Anything"
1971Susan BucknerBurien19Miss BurienGymnastics Dance, "The Joker"Top 10Preliminary Swimsuit AwardPlayed Patty Simcox in the film, Grease
1970Nancy PetersonMoses Lake19Miss Moses LakeOriginal Comedy Monologue, "Once Upon a Leaf"
1969Marsha Covey19Vocal Medley, "Love Come Again" & "That's Life"
1968Joyce StepanekIssaquah20Miss IssaquahComedy Routine, "The Adventures of Huck Finn"
1967Lynda KilpWhite Center19Miss White CenterVocal Medley, "One Boy" & "A Lot of Livin To Do" from Bye Bye Birdie
1966Sandra MarthCentralia19Miss Lewis CountySemi-classical Vocal, "Habanera"
1965Kippy Lou BrinkmanRichland21Miss SeattleHarp & Tap Dance, "Night and Day"Non-finalist Talent Award
1964Lauren Waddleton[30] Burien19Miss BurienVocal, "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair LadyTop 10
1963Mardi HagenTacomaMiss SeattleModern & Classical Character DanceNon-finalist Talent Award
1962Susan EnglishBellevue19Miss BellevueDramatic Reading
1961Gail HannukAberdeen18Miss Grays HarborPiano, "Warsaw Concerto"
1960Connie HughesBellingham18Miss BellinghamOriginal Monologue
1959Sharon Vaughn[31] Port Orchard21Miss South KitsapVocal Medley, "Habanera" & "I Cain't Say No"2nd runner-upPreliminary Swimsuit Award[32]
1958Anne HendersonSpokaneMiss SpokanePantomime & Charleston Dance
1957
1956Deanna HallOlympiaDance
1955
1954Frances GrahamSpokaneVocal
1953Geraldine LindseySeattleVocal
1952
1951Darlene Shaffer[33] SeattleDress Design
1950Karlyne Abele[34] Des MoinesDramatic Reading, "The Flag"Top 16
1949Libby AldrichKelsoVocal, "Stormy Weather"
1948Lorraine LowderAberdeenMiss Grays HarborHula dance
1947
1946
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941
1940Peggy MasonTacoma
1939Anna Mae SchoonoverSeattleDramatic Monologue from Accent on Youth2nd runner-up
1938
1937Juliana BernhardtSeattleMiss SeattleCompeted under local title at Miss America pageant
1936
1935
1934
1933Gladine SweetserSeattle22Top 18
1932
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927Eleanor MaddieuxSeattleMiss SeattleMultiple Washington representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Eva KingSpokaneMiss Spokane
1926Leona FenglerSeattleMiss SeattleTop 15 Multiple Washington representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Gloria SmithSpokaneMiss Spokane
Dorothy RothermellTacomaMiss Tacoma
1925Evelyn CarmanSeattleMiss Seattle
1924
1923
1922Evelyn Atkinson[35] SeattleMiss Seattle
1921

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Ephrata greets state beauties. 1948-06-23. The Spokesman-Review.
  2. News: Miss Washington's Crown in Danger. Eugene Register-Guard. 1949-08-29.
  3. News: Kelso-Longview affair to help Miss Washington. Ellensburg Daily Record. 1949-08-30.
  4. News: Miss Washington Winners to Get Fine Scholarships. 1949-08-11.
  5. News: Miss Washington Pageant to Change Site .
  6. News: Despite loss, Miss Tri-Cities eager to cheer on new Miss Washington. Tri City Herald. 2000-07-04.
  7. Web site: Emily. Molina. 2021-07-07. Maddie Louder Crowned as Miss Washington. 2021-07-18. 425 Magazine. en.
  8. News: Scott . Hewitt . Miss Clark County new Miss Washington . The Columbian . July 1, 2019.
  9. Web site: KREM 2's Danamarie McNicholl crowned Miss Washington 2018 . KREM 2 . July 1, 2018.
  10. Web site: Erin . Serpico . Miss New York crowned Miss America 2019 in Atlantic City . Press of Atlantic City . September 8, 2018.
  11. Web site: Photos: Meet Nicole Renard, our new Miss Washington! . Seattle Refined . July 2, 2017.
  12. Web site: Cameron . Probert . Kennewick native earns Miss Washington crown . Tri-City Herald . July 21, 2017.
  13. Web site: Meet Nicole Renard, Distinguished Young Woman of America 2013 . AL.com . June 30, 2013.
  14. Web site: Stevie . Mathieu . Alicia Cooper of Clark County third runner-up for Miss America . The Columbian . September 11, 2016.
  15. News: krzy4krs . Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2011 Crowning. . video . February 26, 2012.
  16. News: Dave . Barksdale . Miss Washington Scholarship Organization . Lizzi Jackson is crowned Miss Washington 2015 . . video . July 4, 2015.
  17. Web site: Mao . Hoang . Yakima native crowned Miss Washington . Yakima Herald . July 16, 2013.
  18. Web site: West Valley's Reina Almon ready to take national stage . Yakima Herald . July 12, 2013.
  19. Web site: Christina Clarke Crowned Miss Washington USA 2012. Miss Grand Slam via Blogspot. July 11, 2019.
  20. News: Miss Washington is second runner-up for Miss America. 2008-01-28 . Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  21. News: Miss Washington snags 2nd runner-up spot. kimatv.com. 2008-01-28.
  22. News: Stunned Miss Pierce wins state title . Tri City Herald . 1998-06-21 . Wendy . Culverwell.
  23. News: Issaquah Woman is Miss Washington . June 23, 1989 . Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
  24. News: Miss Washington Crowned. Spokane Daily Chronicle. 1985-06-24.
  25. News: Tri City Herald . Miss Washington is second runner-up for Miss America . August 15, 1985.
  26. News: Dancer Crowned Miss Washington . Spokane Chronicle . June 27, 1983 .
  27. News: Miss Washington ties in pageant talent test. The Spokesman-Review. 1980-09-05.
  28. News: Gig Harbor Girl Miss Washington. 1978-06-25. Tri City Herald. Associated Press.
  29. News: Search for swimsuit pays off for Miss Washington. Tri City Herald. 1973-09-07.
  30. News: Seattle Miss Wins State's Beauty Title. Ellensburg Daily Record. 1964-07-20.
  31. News: Co-ed is Miss Washington. Spokane Daily Chronicle. 1959-05-11.
  32. News: 3 Tie in Talent Competition of Miss America Contest. Toledo Blade. 1959-09-10.
  33. News: Miss Washington is Ex-Idahoan. Spokesman-Review. 1951-08-01.
  34. News: Des Moines Miss is 1950 Miss Washington . Ellensburg Daily Record . August 8, 1950.
  35. News: Reporter, Dazzled by Beauty of Six Pageant Entrants - Sees Hard Job Ahead for Judges . The Indianapolis Times . . September 5, 1922 . 1.