Miss West Virginia

Beauty pageant competition

For the state pageant affiliated with Miss USA, see Miss West Virginia USA.

Miss West Virginia

Formation| 1922
Type| Beauty pageant
Headquarters| Martinsburg
Location|

* West Virginia

Membership| Miss America

Official language

| English
Leader| Shelley Nichols-Franklin
Website| Official website

The Miss West Virginia competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the U.S. state of West Virginia in the Miss America Pageant.

In the fall of 2018, the Miss America Organization terminated the Miss West Virginia organization's license as well as licenses from Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.[1][2]

The Miss America Organization reinstated the license to Shelley Nichols-Franklin of Martinsburg who was the former executive director of Miss Berkeley County (WV) between 2000 and 2019.[3]

With Alaska became the latest state crowned the Miss America title, West Virginia is one of the few states along with Maine, South Dakota and Wyoming that has yet to win a Miss America, Miss USA, or Miss Teen USA title.

Jennifer Reuther of Wheeling was crowned Miss West Virginia 2024 on June 22, 2024, at the Airborne Event Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. She will compete for the title of Miss America 2025.

## Results summary

[edit]

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss West Virginia 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]

* 2nd runners-up: Ella Dee Kessel (1965)
* 3rd runners-up: Elizabeth Lynch (2023)
* Top 10: Deborah Davis (1980), Danae DeMasi (2002)
* Top 15: Lillian Ward (1927), Juanita Park Wright (1940), Joan Elizabeth Estep (1947), Phyllis Walker (1952), Chelsea Malone (2016)
* Top 16: Norma Lee Salisbury (1946)
* Top 18: Mildred Fetty (1933)

### Awards

[edit]

#### Preliminary awards

[edit]

* Preliminary Evening Gown: Danae DeMasi (2002)
* Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness: Ella Dee Kessel (1965), Cynthia Sims (1994)

#### Non-finalist awards

[edit]

* Non-finalist Interview: Leah Lasker (1992)
* Non-finalist Talent: Karen Childers (1964), Lois Gay Ratcliff (1966), Judith Shoup (1970), Mary Derry (1975), Patricia Paugh (1978), Kari Safford (1997), Paige Madden (2015)

#### Other awards

[edit]

* Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award: Morgan Breeden (2016)
* Fruit of the Loom Award: Melissa Costello (1991)

## 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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2025  | Courtney Bearer  | Morgantown | 23  | Miss Morgantown  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  |
2024  | Jennifer Reuther  | Wheeling | 26  | Miss Tri-State Area  | Dance  |  |  |
2023 | Karrington Childress  | Charles Town | 21  | Miss Shenandoah  | Original Monologue  |  |  |
2022 | Elizabeth Lynch  | Martinsburg | 25  | Miss Jefferson County  | Original Monologue  | 3rd Runner-Up  |  |
2021 | Jaelyn Wratchford[4] | Martinsburg | 20  | Miss Jefferson County  | Original Monologue  |  |  |
2019–20  | Toriane Graal[5] | Morgantown | 25  | Miss Tygart Valley  | Baton Twirling, music from Man of La Mancha |  |  | Former featured twirler for West Virginia University's Pride of the Mountaineer Marching Band[6]
2018 | Madeline Collins[7] | Charleston | 23  | Miss Elkins Area  | Jazz Dance, "Shake Your Groove Thing"  |  |  |
2017 | Tamia Hardy[8] | Martinsburg | 22  | Miss Berkeley County  | Hip Hop Dance, "BURNITUP!" by Janet Jackson |  |  | First African American woman crowned Miss West Virginia[9]

2nd Runner Up at Miss West Virginia USA Pageant[citation needed]

2016 | Morgan Breeden[10] | Charles Town | 21  | Miss Jefferson County  | Piano  |  | Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award  | Previously Miss West Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2012[citation needed]

Contestant at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant[citation needed]

Aunt of Miss West Virginia's Teen 2024, Demi Breeden[citation needed]
2015 | Chelsea Malone[11][12] | Morgantown | 23  | Miss Wheeling  | Vocal, "Over You"  | Top 15  |  |
2014 | Paige Madden[13][14] | Moundsville | 21  | Miss Southern West Virginia  | Vocal, "Gravity"  |  | Non-finalist Talent Award  |
2013 | Miranda Harrison[15] | Charleston | 19  | Vocal, "Feeling Good"  |  |  |
2012 | Kaitlin Gates[16] | Bridgeport | 20  | Miss Harrison County  | Vocal, "Since I Fell for You"  |  |  | Previously Miss West Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2006[17]
2011 | Spenser Wempe  | Shepherdstown | 18  | Miss North Eastern  | Dance, "Hallelujah"  |  |  | Contestant at National Sweetheart 2010 pageant
2010 | Cali Young[18] | Glen Dale | 24  | Miss Northern West Virginia  | Jazz Dance, "I've Got 'Cha"  |  |  |
2009 | Talia Markham  | Ripley | 22  | Miss Capital City  | Vocal, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"  |  |  |
2008 | Kayla Lynam  | Short Gap | 21  | Miss Eastern Panhandle  | Piano  |  |  | Previously West Virginia's Junior Miss 2005[citation needed]
2007 | Summer Wyatt  | Athens | 21  | Miss Capital City  | Vocal, "Why Haven't I Heard from You"  |  |  | 2nd runner-up at Miss West Virginia USA 2013 pageant[citation needed]
2006 | Tiffany Lawrence | Shepherdstown | 24  | Miss Jefferson County  | Vocal, "Black Velvet"  |  |  |
2005 | Kimberly Goodwin  | Morgantown | 21  | Miss Morgantown  | Tap Dance  |  |  |
2004 | Julia Burton  | Petersburg | 22  | Miss Southern West Virginia  | Vocal, "The Promise"  |  |  |
2003 | Allison Williams | Charles Town | 22  | Miss Mountain State  | Vocal, "Where the Boys Are"  |  |  |
2002 | Janna Kerns  | Terra Alta | 23  | Miss Morgantown  | Vocal, "There You'll Be"  |  |  |
2001 | Danae DeMasi  | Morgantown | 20  | Miss Appalachia  | Ballet en Pointe, "Ravendhi"  | Top 10  | Preliminary Evening Gown Award  |
2000 | Jodi Clark  | Moundsville | 22  | Miss Point Pleasant  | Ballet en Pointe, "Who Will Love Me As I Am?" from Side Show |  |  | Contestant at National Sweetheart 1999 pageant
1999 | Lucy Ours  | Petersburg | 22  | Miss Mason County  | Vocal, "He Grew the Tree"  |  |  |
1998 | Amy Townsend  | Morgantown | 23  | Miss Marion County Area  | Vocal, "Hopelessly Devoted to You" from Grease |  |  |
1997 | Eisa Krushansky  | Westover | 24  | Miss North Central  | Tap Dance, "Dancin' Fool" from Copacabana |  |  |
1996 | Kari Safford  | Point Pleasant | 23  | Miss Ohio Valley  | Vocal, "God Help the Outcasts"  |  | Non-finalist Talent Award  |
1995 | Elizabeth McIntyre  | Dunbar | 24  | Miss Appalachia  | Clogging, "Dance"  |  |  |
1994 | Jennifer Bopp  | Elkins | 22  | Miss South Central  | Vocal, "It's Only a Paper Moon"  |  |  |
1993 | Cynthia Sims  | Vienna | 22  | Miss Ohio Valley  | Vocal, "There! I've Said It Again"  |  | Preliminary Swimsuit Award  |
1992 | Kimberly Parrish  | Parkersburg | 22  | Miss Marion County Area  | Contemporary Ballet en Pointe, "Part of Your World"  |  |  |
1991 | Leah Lasker  | Bluefield | 23  | Miss Mercer County  | Tap Dance, "I'm a Brass Band" from Sweet Charity |  | Non-finalist Interview Award  |
1990 | Melissa Costello  | Shenandoah Junction | 20  | Miss Jefferson County  | Vocal, "Hurt"  |  | Fruit of the Loom Award  |
1989 | Lisa Bittinger  | Fairmont | 21  | Miss North Central  | Vocal, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from The Phantom of the Opera |  |  |
1988 | Lisa Seagroves  | Morgantown | 24  | Tap Dance, "They're Playing Our Song"  |  |  | Contestant at National Sweetheart 1985 pageant as Miss Georgia
1987 | Saundra Patton  | Morgantown | 22  | Variety Act  |  |  |
1986 | Shannon Barill  | Charleston | 23  | Miss Charleston Area  | Jazz en Pointe  |  |  |
1985 | Rebecca Porterfield  | Martinsburg | 21  | Miss Berkeley County  | Jazz Dance, "Dance Attack"  |  |  |
1984 | Melanne Pennington  | Cross Lanes | 24  | Miss Kanawha County  | Semi-classical Vocal, "One Kiss" from The New Moon |  |  | Died of leukemia in 1988[citation needed]
1983 | Andrea Lynn Patrick  | Morgantown | 23  | Miss West Virginia University  | Tap Dance, "Malagueña" & "España cañí"  |  |  | Previously Miss Pennsylvania USA 1980
1982 | Kelly Lea Anderson  | Clarksburg | 21  | Miss Harrison County  | Stylized Can-Can  |  |  | Later Miss West Virginia USA 1984
1st runner-up at Miss USA 1984 pageant[citation needed]

Later Miss World USA 1984[citation needed]
Top 5 finalist at Miss World 1984 pageant[citation needed]
1981 | Candy Cohen  | Huntington | 24  | Miss Marshall University  | Tap Dance, "How High the Moon"  |  |  |
1980 | Pamela Ellen Paugh  | Charleston | 21  | Miss South Charleston  | Vocal, "Anytime"  |  |  | Sister of Miss West Virginia 1977, Patricia Paugh[19]
1979 | Deborah Davis  | Huntington | 22  | Miss Southern West Virginia  | Vocal Medley, "He Touched Me" from Drat! The Cat! & "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret | Top 10  |  | Previously Miss West Virginia USA 1978

Later Mrs. America 1984[citation needed]
1st runner-up at Mrs. World pageant
1978 | Ivy Meadows  | St. Albans | 22  | Miss South Charleston  | Interpretive Dance, "Brian's Song"  |  |  |
1977 | Patricia Paugh | Parkersburg | 20  | Miss Parkersburg Area  | Original Dramatic Monologue, "Deadline"  |  | Non-finalist Talent Award  | Sister of Miss West Virginia 1980, Pamela Paugh[19]

Mother of JonBenét Ramsey[20]
1976 | Teresa Lucas  | Elkins | 22  | Miss Fayette County  | Gymnastics Routine  |  |  |
1975 | Kristi Wick  | South Charleston | 20  | Miss South Charleston  | Vocal, "Am I Blue?"  |  |  |
1974 | Mary Derry  | Morgantown | 21  | Miss West Virginia University  | Semi-classical Vocal, "Cycles"  |  | Non-finalist Talent Award  |
1973 | Myra Elizabeth "Beth" McVey  | Huntington | 20  | Miss Huntington  | Classical Vocal, "Quando me'n vo'"  |  |  |
1972 | Lynette Koper  | Weirton | 21  | Presentation of Original Art Works  |  |  |
1971 | Deborah Lambert  | Morgantown | 19  | Miss West Virginia University  | Piano, "What the World Needs Now Is Love"  |  |  |
1970 | Linda Dianne Barnett  | Parkersburg | 19  | Miss Wood County  | Modern Jazz Dance, "The Electric Indian"  |  |  |
1969 | Judith Shoup  | Gibsonia, Pennsylvania | 22  | Miss West Virginia University  | Vocal Medley & French Horn, "Days of Wine and Roses," "A Taste of Honey," & "I've Gotta Be Me"  |  | Non-finalist Talent Award  |
1968 | Charlotte Warwick  | Charleston | 22  | Miss Morris-Harvey College  | Semi-classical Vocal, "The Impossible Dream"  |  |  |
1967 | Helen Morgan  | Lewisburg | 19  | Miss Beckley  | Toe & Acrobatic Dance, "Teakwood Nocturne" by Roger Williams |  |  |
1966 | Judith Skunda  | Weirton | 18  | Miss Weirton  | Dramatic Monologue  |  |  |
1965 | Lois Gay Ratcliff  | Bluefield | 19  | Miss Greater Bluefield  | Dramatic Reading, "Lonesome Train"  |  | Non-finalist Talent Award  |
1964 | Ella Dee Kessel | Ripley | 21  | Miss Morgantown  | Piano, "Three Preludes" by Gershwin  | 2nd runner-up  | Preliminary Swimsuit Award  |
1963 | Karen Childers  | South Charleston |  | Miss Marshall University  | Dramatic Reading from "The Yellow Wallpaper"  |  | Non-finalist Talent Award  |
1962 | Diane Hunter  | Arlington, Virginia | 20  | Miss Morgantown  | Dance & Dramatic Sketch  |  |  |
1961 | Carole Johnson  | Rivesville | Vocal & Dance, "Hey, Look Me Over" from Wildcat & "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" from Annie Get Your Gun |  |  | Later Miss West Virginia World 1962[citation needed]
1960 | Mary Hoback  | Bluefield | 18  | Miss Bluefield  | Original Dramatic Reading  |  |  |
1959 | Janet Hill  | Nitro | 21  | Miss Nitro  | Dramatic Reading  |  |  |
1958 | Sandra Boyd  | Fairmont |  |  | Vocal, "Money Honey"  |  |  |
1957 | Janice Sickle  |  |  | Vocal & Dance  |  |  |
1956 | Carolyn Jane Miller  | Martinsburg | 19  |  | Drama  |  |  | Carolyn Jane (Miller) Miller died at 84 on April 17, 2021.
1955 | Mary Fryman  | Madison |  |  | Vocal  |  |  |
1954 | Miriam Reep  | Clarksburg |  |  | Dance  |  |  |
1953 | Patricia Stewart  | Pineville |  |  | Vocal & Impersonations  |  |  |
1952 | Nancy Rohrbough  | Grafton |  |  | Dance  |  |  |
1951 | Phyllis Walker  | Charleston |  |  | Drama  | Top 15  |  |
1950 | No West Virginia representative at Miss America pageant[21]
1949 | Georganne Steiss  | Barrackville |  |  | Piano  |  |  |
1948 | Jane Queen  | Huntington |  |  | Vocal & Piano  |  |  |
1947 | Joan Elizabeth Estep  | Wheeling |  |  | Piano, Rhapsody in Blue | Top 15  |  |
1946 | Norma Lee Salisbury  | Parkersburg |  |  |  | Top 16  |  |
1945 | No West Virginia representative at Miss America pageant[22]
1944 | Sharon Allyson Scott  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1943 | No West Virginia representative at Miss America pageant[23][24]
1942
1941 | Juanita Park Wright  | Huntington |  |  |  |  |  |
1940 | Juanita Park Wright  | Huntington |  | Miss Huntington  |  | Top 15  |  | Multiple West Virginia representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Mary Schlarmann Bowles  | Montgomery |  | Miss West Virginia  |  |  |
1939 | No West Virginia representative at Miss America pageant[25][26][27][28][29]
1938
1937
1936
1935
1934  | No national pageant was held[30]
1933 | Mildred Fetty  |  | 20  | Miss West Virginia University  | N/A[31] | Top 18  |  |
1932  | No national pageants were held[30]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927 | Lillian Ward  | Huntington |  | Miss Huntington  | N/A[31] | Top 15  |  | Multiple West Virginia representatives

Contestants competed under local title at national pageant
Mildred Dorothy Bright  | Wheeling |  | Miss Wheeling  |  |
1926 | Olive Davis  | Huntington |  | Miss Huntington  |  |  | Multiple West Virginia representatives

Contestants competed under local title at national pageant
Mary Cecilia Cresap  | Wheeling |  | Miss Wheeling  |  |
1925 | Eleanor McCracken  | Huntington |  | Miss Huntington  |  |  | Competed under local title at national pageant
1924 | No West Virginia representative at Miss America pageant[32]
1923 | Neva Jackson[33] | Philippi |  | Miss West Virginia  | N/A[31] |  |  | Competed under local title at national pageant
1922 | Mary Dague[34] | Wheeling |  | Miss Wheeling  |  |
1921 |

No West Virginia representative at Miss America pageant[35]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Parry, Wayne (October 8, 2018). "Miss America Organization strikes back at rebellious states". The Associated Press.
2. ^ Parry, Wayne (December 5, 2018). "Miss America terminates agreements with NJ, NY and FL". The Associated Press.
3. ^ Bonk, Valerie (June 30, 2019). "Morgantown woman crowned Miss West Virginia 2019 as Martinsburg welcomes pageant". Herald-Mail Media.
4. ^ Chwalik, Marsha (2021-06-28). "New Miss West Virginia and Miss Outstanding Teen ready to represent the Mountain State on national stage". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
5. ^ Bonk, Valerie (June 30, 2019). "Morgantown woman crowned Miss West Virginia 2019 as Martinsburg welcomes pageant". Herald-Mail Media.
6. ^ "The Featured Twirlers for the 2016–2017 season!". Facebook. June 6, 2016.
7. ^ Griffith, Conor (June 30, 2018). "Madeline Collins crowned Miss West Virginia 2018". WV News.
8. ^ "Hardy, Harrison win West Virginia pageant crowns". The Dominion Post. June 26, 2017.
9. ^ Van Tassell, Pepper (July 10, 2017). "New Miss West Virginia hopes to empower others". Herald-Mail Media.
10. ^ Nestor, Leah (December 4, 2016). "Miss West Virginia shares bullying experiences with girls". Times West Virginian. Herald Mail Media.
11. ^ Babich, Richard (July 1, 2015). "Miss West Virginia, Miss West Virginia Outstanding Teen selected". Times West Virginian. Fairmont, WV: Community Newspaper Holdings.
12. ^ Babich, Richard (July 2, 2015). "Chelsea Malone, Braelynn Neely are Miss West Virginia winners: PHOTOS". Times West Virginian.
13. ^ Gallagher, Emily (June 25, 2014). "Moundsville woman named Miss West Virginia". Times West Virginian.
14. ^ "Two Area Natives Win Pageant Titles". Wheeling News-Register. June 26, 2014.
15. ^ "Eastern Panhandle women compete in Miss West Virginia pageants". The Journal. July 7, 2013.
16. ^ Perine, Julie (July 1, 2012). ""Beyond Excited:" Kaitlin Gates is Crowned Miss West Virginia". Connect Bridgeport.
17. ^ Moore, Sarah (July 22, 2012). "Miss W.Va.: 'It's like living a dream'". The DA Online. "In 2007, she was crowned Miss Teen West Virginia, a pageant under the Miss West Virginia umbrella."
18. ^ Fitzwilliams, Erin (June 30, 2010). "2010 Miss West Virginia, Outstanding Teen crowned". The DA Online.
19. ^ a b Murphy, Samantha (September 3, 1998). "Aunt says JonBenet knew her killer". CNN.com. "Both Patsy Ramsey and Paugh, her unmarried younger sister, are former Miss West Virginia beauty queens."
20. ^ Jerome, Richard (October 6, 1997). "Mystery Couple". People. 48 (14). Time Inc. ISSN 0093-7673.
21. ^ "1951 Candidates". Miss America.
22. ^ "1945 Candidates". Miss America.
23. ^ "1943 Candidates". Miss America.
24. ^ "1942 Candidates". Miss America.
25. ^ "1939 Candidates". Miss America.
26. ^ "1938 Candidates". Miss America.
27. ^ "1937 Candidates". Miss America.
28. ^ "1936 Candidates". Miss America.
29. ^ "1935 Candidates". Miss America.
30. ^ a b "Miss America Timeline: 1901–1950". PBS. Archived from the original on 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
31. ^ a b c 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."
32. ^ "1924 Candidates". Miss America.
33. ^ "West Virginia's Best". The Daily News. Frederick, Maryland. September 6, 1923. p. 11 - via Newspaper.com.
34. ^ "none". Evening Public Ledger. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 2, 1922.
35. ^ "1921 Candidates". Miss America.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

West Virginia pageantry

| Miss America
Miss West Virginia | Miss America's Outstanding Teen
Miss West Virginia's Outstanding Teen | Miss USA
Miss West Virginia USA | Miss Teen USA
Miss West Virginia Teen USA

|
|
|

* v
* t
* e

Miss America state pageants

Active
(1921-present)|

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Inactive since 2019
(under Miss America 2.0)|

* Canada (1963)
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Former US Entities|

* Panama Canal Zone (1925)

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