Miss Kentucky

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Miss Kentucky
Formation1922
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersLouisville
Location
Membership
Miss America
Official language
English
Websitewww.misskentucky.org

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

Only once has a Miss Kentucky won the Miss America crown, in 1999 when Heather French Henry of Maysville, Kentucky earned the national Miss America 2000 title. Additionally, Venus Ramey, a native of Somerset, Kentucky, was named Miss America of 1944 while competing as Miss Washington, DC.

Multiple Miss Kentucky titleholders have gone on to make themselves notable:

Hannah Edelen from Springfield was crowned Miss Kentucky 2022 on June 18, 2022, at The Brown Theater in Louisville. She competed for the title of Miss America 2023 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut in December 2022 where she was Jean Bartel Social Impact Finalist and also voted as Miss Congeniality.

Gallery of past titleholders[edit]

Results summary[edit]

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Kentucky 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[edit]

  • Miss Americas: Heather French (2000)
  • 2nd runners-up: Jean Megerle (1935)
  • 3rd runners-up: Darlene Compton (1975), Mallory Hudson (2024)
  • 4th runners-up: Dorothy Slatten (1940), Chera-Lyn Cook (1999), Whitney Renee Boyles (2001), Mallory Ervin (2010)
  • Top 10: Linda Sawyer (1965), Marcia Malone Bell (1978), Gwendolyn Suzanne Witten (1983), Lynn Whitney Thompson (1984), Kelly Lin Brumagen (1985), Laurie Janine Keller (1986), Tawnya Dawn Mullins (1993), Veronica Marie Duka (1997), Djuan Trent (2011)
  • Top 12: Emily Cox (2009), Ramsey Carpenter (2015), Laura Jones (2017)
  • Top 15: Mary Madeline O'Laughlin (1925), Jean Megerle* (1936), Charlet Hiteman (1936), Dorothy Slatten (1941), Evelyn L. Murray (1947), Jessica Casebolt (2013), Jenna Day (2014)
  • Top 16: Patricia Alden Fenton** (1946)
  • Top 18: Lucille Rader (1933)

Awards[edit]

Preliminary awards[edit]

Non-finalist awards[edit]

  • Non-finalist Talent: Jane Brock (1958), Marsha Griffith (1976), Victoria Harned (1977), Melinda Cumberledge (1987), Tonya Virgin (1994), MacKenzie Mayes (2004)
  • Non-finalist Interview: Maria Maldonado (2005)

Other awards[edit]

* Competed as Miss Blue Grass
** Competed as Miss Louisville

Winners[edit]

  •   Declared as winner
  •   Ended as a runner-up
  •   Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
Year Name Hometown Age Local Title Miss America Talent Placement at Miss America Special scholarships at Miss America Notes
2023 Mallory Hudson Bowling Green 22 Vocal, "I Who Have Nothing" 3rd Runner-Up
2022 Hannah M. Edelen Springfield 24 Miss Heart of Central Kentucky Jean Bartel Social Impact Finalist

Miss Congeniality

2021 Haley Wheeler[3] Clay City 23 Miss Bowling Green Vocal
2019–20[a] Alex Francke[6] Lexington 22 Miss Central Kentucky Vocal, "Maybe This Time" Women in Business Scholarship Award[7] Previously Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2014[8]

Previously Miss Kentucky Sweetheart 2018[9]
4th runner-up at National Sweetheart 2018 pageant[9]
2018 Katie Michelle Bouchard[10] Owensboro 22 Miss Jefferson County Clogging, "Soul Man"
2017 Molly Matney[11] Center 20 Miss Mammoth Cave Area Vocal, "He Taught Me to Yodel" STEM Scholarship Award[12]
2016 Laura Jones[13] Fisherville 23 Miss Danville Violin Top 12[14] America's Choice Previously Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2010[15]
Top 10 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2011 pageant[16]
2015 Clark Davis[17] Lexington 17 Miss Horse Capital Cappella Vocal, "Summertime"
2014 Ramsey Carpenter[18][19] Hartford 23 Miss My Old Kentucky Home Fiddle, "Sally Goodin" & "Orange Blossom Special" Top 12 Louanne Gamba Instrumental Award

Preliminary Talent Award
In December 2018, she was arrested for allegedly sending nude photos of herself via Snapchat to an underage student[20]
Charged with four felony counts of distribution or display of obscene matter to minors and was released on $10,000 bail[20][21]
2013 Jenna Day[22] Louisville 21 Miss Berea Area Vocal, "And This Is My Beloved" Top 15 Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2011 pageant[citation needed]
2012 Jessica Casebolt[23][24] Pikeville 19 Miss Goldenrod Vocal, "Superstar" Top 15
2011 Ann Blair Thornton[25][26] Bowling Green 21 Miss Bowling Green Piano, "Prelude in G Minor" Quality of Life Award Winner Previously Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2007[27]
4th runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 pageant[28]

1st runner-up at National Sweetheart 2010 pageant[citation needed]
2010 Djuan Trent[29] Columbus, GA 23 Miss Berea Area Vocal, "A Change Is Gonna Come" Top 10 Eligible to compete at Miss Kentucky as a Berea College student

Voted into the Top 15 as a "Contestants' Choice" finalist by her fellow contestants
2009 Mallory Ervin[30] Morganfield 23 Miss Bowling Green Vocal, "On My Own" 4th runner-up Quality of Life Award Finalist Voted into the Top 15 as a "America's Choice" contestant by TV viewers

Contestant on The Amazing Race (seasons 17, 18, and 24)
2008 Emily Ann Cox[31] Campbellsville 22 Miss Bowling Green Classical Piano, "Impromptu in C Sharp Minor" by Hugo Reinhold Top 12 Quality of Life Award Winner[32] Contestant at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant
2007 Kaitlynne Postel[33] Lexington 20 Miss Monticello Vocal, "So Much Better" from Legally Blonde Kaitlynne Dorothy Postel performed "So Much Better" from Legally Blonde: The Musical, in which her cousin and close friend Laura Bell Bundy was the star. Daughter of Miss Maryland 1982, Lynne Carol Graham[33]

Niece (by marriage) of Miss Kentucky 1978, Marcia Malone Bell[citation needed]
2006 Rachelle Nicole Phillips[citation needed] Princeton 24 Miss Heartland Vocal, "Cry Me a River"
2005 Kerri Katelyn Mitchell[34] Barbourville 21 Miss Jeffersontown Vocal, "Born to Fly"
2004 Maria Maldonado[35] Lexington 22 Miss Heart of the South Vocal, "Your Daddy's Son" from Ragtime Non-finalist Interview Award[36] Previously Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 1999[37]
2003 MacKenzie Mayes 23 Miss Monticello Vocal, "I Surrender" Non-finalist Talent Award

Quality of Life 1st runner-up
Previously National Sweetheart 2000
2002 Mary Catherine Correll Somerset 21 Miss Maysville Area Vocal, "The Prayer" Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship

Quality of Life Finalist
Daughter of Miss Kentucky USA 1975 and Miss Wyoming 1976, Carol June Wallace[citation needed]
2001 Monica Lutrece Hardin[38] Louisville 20 Miss Jeffersontown Vocal, "If You Believe" from The Wiz First Miss Kentucky Teen, crowned in 1998[39]
2000 Whitney Renee Boyles Louisville 22 Miss Northern Kentucky Vocal, "In His Eyes" from Jekyll & Hyde 4th runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Quality of Life Award Finalist
1999 Shanna Kari Moore Marion Miss Jeffersontown Classical Piano Did not compete; later assumed the title after French won Miss America 2000
4th runner-up (1998) & 3rd runner-up (1999) at National Sweetheart pageants[citation needed]
Heather French Maysville 24 Miss Louisville Vocal, "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Boulevard Winner Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Quality of Life Award 1st runner-up
1998 Chera-Lyn Cook London 21 Miss Lexington Vocal, "When a Man Loves a Woman" 4th runner-up Preliminary Talent Award Previously National Sweetheart 1997
1997 Lori Menshouse Ashland 24 Miss Ashland Area Piano, "Revolutionary Etude" by Chopin Later Miss Kentucky USA 1999
1996 Veronica Marie Duka Campbellsville 19 Miss Campbellsville Vocal, "Somewhere" Top 10
1995 Kristie Dawn Hicks Bardstown 23 Miss Jeffersontown Vocal, "Stormy Weather" Konica Visual Arts Scholarship Previously Miss Kentucky Teen USA 1989
1st runner-up at Miss Teen USA 1989 pageant
1994 Laura Sue Humphress Campbellsville 22 Miss Heart of the Bluegrass Classical Piano, "Toccata in E-flat minor" by Aram Khachaturian
1993 Tonya Dee Virgin Oldtown 24 Miss East Kentucky Country Vocal, "If I Could Only Be Like You" Non-finalist Talent Award
1992 Tawnya Dawn Mullins Kimper 25 Miss Heart of Kentucky Contemporary Clogging, "Banjo Fantasy" Top 10 Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1991 Sheri Lynn Plambeck Lexington 23 Miss Heart of the Bluegrass Tap Dance, "The Joint Is Jumpin'"
1990 Nancy Cox Campbellsville 22 Miss Bowling Green Popular Vocal, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue"
1989 Melanie-Lynn Glasscock Leitchfield 21 Miss Green River Valley Baton Twirling, "If My Friends Could See Me Now"
1988 Mikka Lynn Darby Salyersville 19 Miss East Kentucky Middle Eastern Dance
1987 Elizabeth Gray McDowell Prospect 21 Miss Jefferson County Semi-classical Vocal, "Falling in Love with Love"
1986 Melinda Katharine Cumberledge Lexington 23 Miss Bluegrass Area Semi-classical Vocal, "Till There Was You" Non-finalist Talent Award
1985 Laurie Janine Keller Nippa 21 Miss Floyd County Vocal / Ballet en Pointe, "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" Top 10 Miss America Gillette Show Troupe. Laurie Janine Keller died at age 46 in her sleep at home in Ohio in October 2009.
1984 Kelly Lin Brumagen Lexington 22 Miss Fayette County Vocal, "Le Jazz Hot" from Victor/Victoria Top 10 Dr. David. B. Allman Medical Scholarship
1983 Lynn Whitney Thompson 24 Miss Bluegrass Area Popular Vocal, "Yesterday When I Was Young" Top 10
1982 Gwendolyn Suzanne Witten Vine Grove 23 Miss Louisville Semi-classical Vocal, "And This Is my Beloved" Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1981 Sheri Colleen Copeland Benton 20 Miss Bluegrass Area Popular Vocal, "Out Here On My Own" from Fame
1980 Daphne Jean Cochran Louisville 21 Miss Fairdale Popular Vocal, "Bridges"
1979 Kathryn Parker Wilmore 21 Miss Lexington Flute, "The Swiss Shepherd's Song"
1978 Marcia Malone Bell Lexington 21 Miss Lake Cumberland Popular Vocal, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" Top 10 Aunt (by marriage) of Miss Kentucky 2007, Kaitlynne Postel[citation needed]
1977 Karen Gordon Benton 21 Miss Murray State University Chalk Drawing with Narration
1976 Victoria Jane Harned Leitchfield 21 Miss Lake Cumberland Popular Vocal, "Send In the Clowns" Non-finalist Talent Award
1975 Marsha Ann Griffith Greenup 22 Miss Ashland Area Vocal / Trumpet, "I Can See Clearly Now" Non-finalist Talent Award
1974 Darlene Compton Louisville 25 Miss Louisville Vocal, "Mira" from Carnival! 3rd runner-up Preliminary Talent Award
1973 Lyda Lewis Louisville 24 Miss Louisville Vocal, "Sweet Inspiration" & "Where You Lead" First Black Miss Kentucky
1972 Diana Moore Pikeville N/A Successor to crown when Walters resigned
Carolyn Walters Louisville 19 Miss University of Louisville Vocal, "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" Represented Kentucky at Miss America 1973 pageant, but resigned soon after[40]
1971 Robbie Lynn Halcomb Scottsville 19 Miss Jeffersontown Semi-classical Vocal, "Italian Street Song" Contestant at Miss Teenage America 1968 pageant[citation needed]
1970 Cynthia Anne Bostick Owensboro 18 Miss Owensboro Vocal, "Life Is a One Way Street" Appeared as Marcia Campbell on As the World Turns[41] Cynthia Anne Bostick Georgeson died at age 70 on January 24, 2023, in Racine, Wisconsin.
1969 Louisa Ann Flook Richmond 20 Miss Richmond Dramatic Monologue from Little Moon of Alban by James Costigan
1968 Janet Sue Hatfield Jeffersontown 18 Miss Jeffersontown Vocal, "I'm Glad There Is You"
1967 Jo-Anne Clark Louisville 19 Vocal / Guitar, "Unchained Melody"
1966 Janie Olmstead New Castle 22 Miss New Castle Modern Ballet Dance, "Peter Gunn Theme"
1965 Rebecca Tollivar Snyder Owensboro 20 Miss Lexington Dramatic Monologue, "Portrayal of the Sphinx"
1964 Linda Lenora Sawyer Louisville 21 Miss Louisville Vocal & Speech, "Stephen Foster Medley" Top 10 Older sister of newscaster, Diane Sawyer[citation needed]
1963 Nell Garnett Owen Bowling Green Miss Bowling Green Fashion Design Former mayor of Prospect, Kentucky[citation needed]
1962 Nanci Rosalind Bowling Campbellsville 21 Miss Harlan Piano
1961 Lee Willis Grigsby Bardstown 18 Miss Louisville Vocal, "Summertime"
1960 Alice Chumbley Jamestown 21 Miss Bowling Green Dramatic Monologue from The Country Girl
1959 Carol Fairchild Brown Whitesburg 19 Miss Eastern State Teacher's College Dramatic Reading
1958 Sandra Sue Smith Harlan Pantomime / Dance, "Tweedle Dee"
1957 Jane Marvin Brock Liberty Piano Non-finalist Talent Award
1956 Janene Carole Simpson Louisville Piano
1955 Ann Shirley Gillock Carrollton Organ
1954 Margaret Diane Hunt Lexington Dance
1953 Emily "Tucky" Rucker Berea Vocal
1952 Joy Williams Lexington Dance
1951 Dottye Nuckols Bowling Green Vocal
1950 Mary Louise Osborne Wheelwright Drama
1949 Betty Joanne Haverstock Louisville Miss Louisville
1948 Mildred Joanne Hollinger
1947 Evelyn L. Murray Louisville Miss Kentucky Samba Top 15 Preliminary Swimsuit Award Multiple Kentucky representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Margaret Allen Hill Louisville Miss Louisville Vocal / Piano, "It Had to Be You"
1946 Mary Madonna Smith Jenkins Miss Kentucky Multiple Kentucky representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Patricia Alden Fenton Louisville Miss Louisville Artistic Exhibition & Sketch Top 16
1945 No Kentucky representative at Miss America pageant[42][43][44][45]
1944
1943
1942
1941 Dorothy Slatten Lexington Top 15
1940 Dorothy Slatten Lexington Miss Kentucky 4th runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award Multiple Kentucky representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Violet Owen Miss Western Kentucky
1939 Louise Holman Pineville Miss Kentucky Multiple Kentucky representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant

Dorothy Slatten was the original winner but was disqualified due to being underage
[46]
Mattigene Palmore Lexington Miss Lexington
1938 Evelyn Cooper Somerset Vocal, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket"
1937 Audrey Catherine Flaig Bellevue
1936 Charlet Bernice Hiteman Newport Miss Kentucky Top 15 Multiple Kentucky representatives

Contestants competed under local title at national pageant
Jean Margaret Megerle Fort Thomas 19 Miss Blue Grass Top 15
1935 Jean Margaret Megerle Fort Thomas 18 Miss Kentucky Vocal / Acrobatic Dance, "I'll Never Say Never Again" 2nd runner-up
1934 No national pageant was held[47]
1933 Lucille Rader Berea 14 Top 18 Lucille Rader Cyrus died at age 88 in Florida on February 16, 2016.
1932 No national pageants were held[47]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927 No Kentucky representative at Miss America pageant[48]
1926 Gladys Imogene King Louisville Miss Louisville N/A[49] Competed under local title at national pageant
1925 Mary Madeline O'Laughlin Louisville Miss Louisville Top 15 Competed under local title at national pageant
1924 Juanita Hobbs Louisville Miss Louisville Multiple Kentucky representatives

Contestants competed under local title at national pageant
Kathleen McElroy Miss Paducah
1923 Juanita Hobbs[50] Louisville Miss Louisville Competed under local title at national pageant
1922 Dorothy Heick[51]
1921 No Kentucky representative at Miss America pageant[52]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Titleholder extended to a full year in 2020 after state and national pageants postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic[4][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Amazing Race Cast: Gary and Mallory". CBS. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  2. ^ Signorile, Michelangelo (2014-04-02). "Djuan Trent, Former Miss Kentucky, On Why She Came Out As 'Queer,' (AUDIO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  3. ^ Brandon Jarrett. "Haley Wheeler crowned winner of 2021 Miss Kentucky pageant". www.wbko.com. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  4. ^ Kuperinksy, Amy (May 8, 2020). "Miss America postpones pageant until 2021, N.J. pageant still set for September". Press of Atlantic City.
  5. ^ Anderson, Mario (May 18, 2020). "Miss Kentucky Gets a Second Tour". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  6. ^ Hutchins, Michelle (June 9, 2019). "Miss Kentucky and Miss Outstanding Teen 2019 crowned in Louisville". Courier Journal.
  7. ^ "Miss America 2020 Scholarship Award Winners Announced". Miss America Organization. December 19, 2019.
  8. ^ "Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2014 prepares for competition". YouTube. July 22, 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  9. ^ a b "Photo Gallery: 2018 National Sweetheart Pageant". Hoopeston Chronicle. September 3, 2018.
  10. ^ Ward, Karla (June 30, 2018). "Katie Bouchard crowned Miss Kentucky 2018". Lexington Herald-Leader.
  11. ^ Cheves, John (July 1, 2017). "Molly Matney, Miss Mammoth Cave Area, wins 2017 Miss Kentucky pageant". Lexington Herald-Leader.
  12. ^ Ray, Andrea (September 8, 2017). "Zucco wins $5,000 science scholarship from Miss America". Sippican Week.
  13. ^ "Miss Danville Laura Jones crowned Miss Kentucky, next stop Miss America". LexGo. July 2, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  14. ^ Vaught, Larry (December 6, 2016). "Miss Kentucky Laura Jones runs for charity in Stanford, enjoys traveling across the state". Vaught's Views.
  15. ^ "The Road to Miss America – Miss Kentucky Laura Katherine Jones". Bravura Magazine. August 5, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  16. ^ "2010 Scholarships". Miss America's Outstanding Teen.
  17. ^ Madden, Justin (July 4, 2015). "Clark Janell Davis of Lexington is crowned Miss Kentucky 2015". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, KY: McClatchy. p. B1.
  18. ^ Lawless, John (August 7, 2014). "Fiddlin' Miss Kentucky, Ramsey Carpenter". Bluegrass Today.
  19. ^ Copley, Rich (July 12, 2014). "UK grad Ramsey Carpenter of Ohio County is crowned Miss Kentucky 2014". Lexington Herald Leader.
  20. ^ a b Jenkins, Jeff (December 7, 2018). "Kanawha County teacher arraigned on 4 felony counts". WV MetroNews.
  21. ^ Owoseje, Toyin (December 10, 2018). "Former beauty queen sent nude pictures to 15-year-old student on Snapchat, police say". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-15.
  22. ^ Brammer, Jack (June 29, 2013). "Jenna Day of Louisville, a UK student, is crowned Miss Kentucky 2013". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, KY: McClatchy.
  23. ^ Vest, Stephen M. (27 December 2012). "Miss Kentucky". Kentucky Monthly.
  24. ^ "Update: Casebolt crowned Miss Kentucky". WTVQ News. July 14, 2012.
  25. ^ "Bowling Green woman named Miss Kentucky". Kentucky.com. July 17, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  26. ^ Portaro, Bella (July 18, 2011). "Miss Kentucky 2011 Ann-Blair Thornton". Louisville Magazine.
  27. ^ "Miss Kentucky 2011". Miss Kentucky Organization. July 16, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  28. ^ Abel, Fred. "MAOT's Super Bowl". Pageantry Magazine.
  29. ^ Herald-Leader Staff Report (July 18, 2010). "Berea grad wins Miss Kentucky". Lexington Herald-Leader.
  30. ^ Herald-Leader Staff Report (July 18, 2009). "Mallory Ervin crowned Miss Kentucky". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  31. ^ "UK Graduate Wins Miss Kentucky Pageant". Lexington Herald-Leader. July 20, 2008.
  32. ^ Leach, Robin (January 22, 2009). "Miss Kentucky Emily Cox wins Quality of Life Award and $6,000 scholarship". Las Vegas Sun.
  33. ^ a b Phelps, Melodie (July 22, 2007). "Miss Monticello Kaitlynne Postel wins Miss Kentucky". The Outlook.
  34. ^ "Caroline Mitchell '04 First Runner-Up for 'Miss Kentucky 2005'". DePauw News and Media. June 19, 2005.
  35. ^ "State Contestants: Kentucky - 2004". Miss America. 2004. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05.
  36. ^ "Miss America: Recipients 2004". Miss America. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17.
  37. ^ "Former Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen Titleholders". Miss Kentucky. Archived from the original on 2017-11-05.
  38. ^ "Upcoming Events". Miss North Central Kentucky Scholarship Pageant.
  39. ^ "Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen". Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen.
  40. ^ "Miss Kentucky". April 16, 1973.
  41. ^ Mulcahy, Kevin Jr. "Today in Soap Opera History (October 16)". Welovesoaps.net. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  42. ^ "1945 Candidates". Miss America.
  43. ^ "1944 Candidates". Miss America.
  44. ^ "1943 Candidates". Miss America.
  45. ^ "1942 Candidates". Miss America.
  46. ^ Palm Beach Post, "Local High School Girl Wins Title" September 3, 1940
  47. ^ a b "Miss America Timeline: 1901–1950". PBS.
  48. ^ "1927 Candidates". Miss America.
  49. ^ Schnitzspahn, Karen (September 8, 1997). "There She Was – Miss Long Branch". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com. ...talent contest that was established in 1935.
  50. ^ "More Beauties". The Daily News. Frederick, Maryland. September 6, 1923. p. 11 – via Newspaper.com.
  51. ^ "At The Atlantic City Beauty Pageant". Getty Images. October 9, 1922.
  52. ^ "1921 Candidates". Miss America.

External links[edit]