# Miss Texas USA

The Miss Texas USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Texas in the Miss USA pageant, and the name of the title held by that winner. This pageant is part of the Miss USA Organization, owned by Texas native Crystle Stewart, herself a Miss USA for 2008.
The pageant is currently held in Houston. It has previously been hosted by El Paso, San Antonio, South Padre Island, Lubbock and Laredo. It was televised from 1971 to 2009.
The current titleholder is Aarienna Ware of Dallas, Texas, was crowned Miss Texas USA 2024 on June 22, 2024, at Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas. She will represent Texas at Miss USA 2024.

## Background

Unlike the rest of Miss and Teen state pageants in the Miss USA system have annually scheduled at the same time, this Miss and Teen pageants in Texas are held separately in different months, the Miss pageant goes first and is held on first Sunday of September every year. Those events have affected from the regular September schedule such as the 2018 pageant was held in January 2018 due to Hurricane Harvey devastated the pageant's host city, Houston; and the 2021 pageant was held in September 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, exactly a year originally planned for September 2020.
Ten Miss Texas USA titleholders have won the Miss USA title, including Chelsi Smith, has been crowned Miss Universe. In the 1980s Texas won the Miss USA title five consecutive years from 1985 to 1989, a streak known as the "Texas Aces". Prior to this no state had ever won the Miss USA pageant more than two times in succession. Past state directors have included Richard Guy and Rex Holt, "GuyRex" and Al and Gail Clark of "The Crystal Group".
Contestants enter by winning local pageants or may choose to compete "at large" with an assigned title. In 2001 a record number of former Miss Texas Teen USA winners, six, competed for the Miss Texas USA 2002 title.

### Texas Aces

Prior to the 1980s, no other state had won more than two Miss USA pageants in succession (the only two states to win twice in succession were Virginia in 1969-1970 and Illinois in 1973–1974). The five Texan Miss USA winners were all coached by "GuyRex", Richard Guy and Rex Holt, who held the Texas franchise from 1975. The term was first used in 1988 after Gibbs became their fourth consecutive titleholder, with Guy referring to the four queens as "four aces in a deck of cards", with their fifth titleholder, Kim Tomes (1977) as the "wildcard". The following year Gretchen Polhemus became the fifth and final "ace". The term is still in use.
As well as directing the Texas pageant, GuyRex also acquired the Miss California USA franchise in 1986. In 1988, Diana Magaña of California placed first runner-up to Gibbs, the fourth ace. The two had both undergone extensive preparation by GuyRex, and even lived together prior to the pageant.
The five Aces were:
* 1985 - Laura Martinez-Herring (Miss USA, Top 10 at Miss Universe 1985)
* 1986 - Christy Fichtner (Miss USA, 1st runner-up at Miss Universe 1986)
* 1987 - Michelle Royer (Miss USA, 2nd runner-up at Miss Universe 1987)
* 1988 - Courtney Gibbs (Miss USA, Top 10 at Miss Universe 1988)
* 1989 - Gretchen Polhemus (Miss USA, 2nd runner-up at Miss Universe 1989)

## Gallery

* Logan Lester, Miss Texas USA 2018
* Lauren Guzman, Miss Texas Teen USA 2008 and Miss Texas USA 2014
* Crystle Stewart, Miss Texas USA 2008 and Miss USA 2008 (pictured in 2014)
* Stephanie Guerrero, Miss Texas USA 2004
* Nicole O'Brian, Miss Texas Teen USA 2000 and Miss Texas USA 2003
* Kandace Krueger, Miss Texas USA 2001 and Miss USA 2001
* Michelle Royer, Miss Texas USA 1987 and Miss USA 1987
* Christy Fichtner, Miss Texas USA 1986 and Miss USA 1986
* Laura Martinez Harring, Miss Texas USA 1985 and Miss USA 1985 (pictured in 2011)
* Lisa Allred, Miss Texas USA 1983

## Results summary
### Placements

* Miss USAs: Kimberly 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 runners-up: Carelgean Douglas (1959), Diane Balloun (1964), Brenda Box (1971), Luann Caughey (1982), Lisa Allred (1983), Ylianna Guerra (2015)
* 2nd runners-up: Barbara Horan (1978), Nicole O'Brian (2003)
* 3rd runners-up: Betty Lee (1954), Ana Rodriguez (2011)
* 4th runners-up: Jo Dodson (1956), Aundie Evers (1975), Alexandria Nugent (2013), Lluvia Alzate (2023)
* Top 5/6/8: Christine Friedel (1994), Amanda Little (1997), Holly Mills (1998), Victoria Hinojosa (2021)
* Top 10/11/12: Lavonne 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), Lauren Lanning (2006), Magen Ellis (2007), Brooke Daniels (2009), Brittany Booker (2012), Aareianna Ware (2024)
* Top 15: Joan Bradshaw (1953), Mary Daughters (1955), Gloria Hunt (1957), Linda Daugherty (1958), Jackie Williams (1962), Phillis Johnson (1965), Dorothy Pickens (1966), Bonnie Robinson (1967), Sandy Drewes (1969), Diane Swendeman (1970), Stephanie Guerrero (2004), Tyler Willis (2005), Logan Lester (2018)
Texas holds a record of 57 placements at Miss USA, being placed first overall.

### Awards

* Miss Congeniality: Diane Swendeman (1970), Chelsi Smith (1995)
* Miss Photogenic: Susan Peters (1972), Lisa Allred (1983), Laura Shaw (1984), Tyler Willis (2005)
* Best State Costume: Lavonne McConnell (1973), Kimberly Tomes (1977), Barbara Horan (1978), R'Bonney Gabriel (2022)
* Best in Swimsuit: Chelsi Smith (1995), Lluvia Alzate (2023)

## Winners
### Color key

* Declared as Winner
* Ended as runner-up
* Ended as finalist or semifinalist
| Year | Name | Hometown | Local Title | Age | Placement at Miss USA | Special awards at Miss USA | Notes |
| 2024 | Aarieanna Ware | Dallas | Miss Dallas | 26 | Top 10 | | |
| 2023 | Lluvia Alzate | Houston | Miss Houston | 26 | 4th runner-up | Best in Swimsuit | |
| 2022 | Allison Drake | Dallas | Miss Dallas | 26 | Originally second runner-up, assumed title when Gabriel won Miss Universe (Sydni Leonard, the first runner-up, declined the offer) | Originally second runner-up, assumed title when Gabriel won Miss Universe (Sydni Leonard, the first runner-up, declined the offer) | Originally second runner-up, assumed title when Gabriel won Miss Universe (Sydni Leonard, the first runner-up, declined the offer) |
| 2022 | R'Bonney Gabriel | Houston | Miss Friendswood | 28 | Miss USA 2022 | Best State Costume | Miss Universe 2022 First Asian American Miss Texas USA |
| 2021 | Victoria Hinojosa | McAllen | Miss South Texas | 22 | Top 8 | | Granddaughter of U.S. Representative TX-15 Rubén Hinojosa |
| 2020 | Taylor Kessler | Houston | Miss Lone Star | 23 | | | Previously Miss Grand USA 2017 Longest reigning Miss Texas USA (2 years and 3 days) and also the longest reigning Miss USA state titleholder under three calendar years in the organization's history |
| 2019 | Alayah Benavidez | San Antonio | Miss San Antonio | 23 | | | Previously Miss United States 2016 Later a contestant on season 24 of The Bachelor |
| 2018 | Logan Lester | Houston | Miss Harris County | 23 | Top 15 | | Shortest reigning Miss Texas USA (7 months and 27 days) |
| 2017 | Nancy Gonzalez | Freeport | Miss Kemah | 27 | | | Competed in Nuestra Belleza Latina 2010 |
| 2016 | Daniella Rodriguez | Laredo | Miss Central Webb County | 19 | | | Previously Miss Texas Teen USA 2013 Married to Carlos Correa |
| 2015 | Ylianna Guerra | McAllen | Miss Tropics of Texas | 22 | 1st runner-up | | |
| 2014 | Lauren Guzman | Laredo | Miss Central Laredo | 24 | | | Previously Miss Texas Teen USA 2008 |
| 2013 | Alexandria "Ali" Nugent | Dallas | Miss North Texas | 19 | 4th runner-up | Fan Vote Winner | Niece of rock musician Ted Nugent |
| 2012 | Brittany Booker | Friendswood | Miss Houston | 21 | Top 10 | | |
| 2011 | Ana Rodriguez | Laredo | Miss Central Laredo | 24 | 3rd runner-up | | |
| 2010 | Kelsey Moore | El Paso | Miss El Paso | 19 | | | |
| 2009 | Brooke Daniels | Tomball | Miss Harris County | 22 | Top 10 | | |
| 2008 | Crystle Stewart | Missouri City | Miss Fort Bend County | 26 | Miss USA 2008 | | Top 10 at Miss Universe 2008. Former President of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA |
| 2007 | Magen Ellis | Tyler | Miss Houston | 19 | Top 10 | | Previously Miss Texas Teen USA 2004 (Top 15 at Miss Teen USA 2004) |
| 2006 | Lauren Lanning | Friendswood | Miss Houston | 22 | Top 10 | | |
| 2005 | Tyler Willis | Lubbock | Miss Central Plains | 25 | Top 15 | Miss Photogenic | |
| 2004 | Stephanie Guerrero | Lake Jackson | Miss Houston | 23 | Top 15 | | |
| 2003 | Nicole O'Brian | Friendswood | Miss Bay Area | 20 | 2nd runner-up | | Previously Miss Texas Teen USA 2000 1st Runner-up & Best in Swimsuit at Miss Teen USA 2000 Contestant on The Amazing Race 5 |
| 2002 | Kasi Kelly | Bridgeport | Miss DFW | 20 | Top 12 | | |
| 2001 | Kandace Krueger | Austin | Miss Austin | 24 | Miss USA 2001 | | 2nd runner-up at Miss Universe 2001 |
| 2000 | Heather Ogilvie | Houston | Miss Southeast Texas | 22 | | | |
| 1999 | Carissa Blair | Houston | Miss Southeast Texas | 23 | | | Previously Miss Texas Teen USA 1992 |
| 1998 | Holly Mills | San Antonio | Miss San Antonio | 22 | Top 5 | | |
| 1997 | Amanda Little | Wylie | Miss Metroplex | 20 | Top 6 | | |
| 1996 | Kara Williams | Houston | Miss Harris County | 23 | Top 10 | | Previously Miss Texas Teen USA 1991 (Top 12 at Miss Teen USA 1991) |
| Title vacant ||||||||
| 1995 | Chelsi Smith† | Deer Park | Miss Galveston County | 21 | Miss USA 1995 | Miss Congeniality and Best in Swimsuit | Miss Universe 1995 First African American Miss Texas USA |
| 1994 | Christine Friedel | El Paso | Miss El Paso | 22 | Top 6 | | |
| 1993 | Angie Sisk | Houston | Miss Fort Bend County | 21 | Top 12 | | |
| 1992 | Katie Young | Fort Worth | Miss Fort Worth | 19 | Top 11 | | |
| 1991 | Chris Bogard | Tomball | Miss North Harris County | 23 | | | |
| 1990 | Stephanie Kuehne | Missouri City | Miss Houston | 22 | Top 12 | | Miss Wonderland 1989 |
| 1989 | Gretchen Polhemus | Fort Worth | Miss Fort Worth | 23 | Miss USA 1989 | | 2nd runner-up at Miss Universe 1989 Mother of Miss Utah USA 2017, Baylee Jensen |
| 1988 | Courtney Gibbs | Fort Worth | Miss Metroplex | 21 | Miss USA 1988 | | Top 10 at Miss Universe 1988 |
| 1987 | Michelle Royer | Keller | Miss Keller | 21 | Miss USA 1987 | | 2nd runner-up at Miss Universe 1987 |
| 1986 | Christiane "Christy" Fichtner | Dallas | Miss Dallas County | 23 | Miss USA 1986 | | 1st runner-up at Miss Universe 1986 |
| 1985 | Laura Martinez Herring | El Paso | Miss El Paso County | 21 | Miss USA 1985 | | Top 10 at Miss Universe 1985 First Hispanic Miss Texas USA |
| 1984 | Laura Shaw | Burleson | Miss Burleson | 19 | Top 10 | Miss Photogenic | |
| 1983 | Lisa Allred | Fort Worth | Miss Fort Worth | 20 | 1st runner-up | Miss Photogenic | Miss World USA 1983 & 6th runner-up at Miss World 1983 |
| 1982 | Luann Caughey | Abilene | Miss Abilene | 22 | 1st runner-up | | Miss World USA 1982 & 4th runner-up at Miss World 1982 |
| 1981 | Diana Durnford | El Paso | Miss Sun City | 21 | Top 12 | | |
| 1980 | Barbara Buckley | Midland | | | Top 12 | | |
| 1979 | Anne Hinnant | Houston | Miss Harris County | | Top 12 | | |
| 1978 | Barbara Horan | Dallas | | | 2nd runner-up | Best State Costume | |
| 1977 | Kimberly Tomes | Houston | | 21 | Miss USA 1977 | Best State Costume | Top 12 at Miss Universe 1977 Miss Texas World 1974 and 1st runner up at Miss World USA 1974. |
| 1976 | Candace Gray† | El Paso | | | Top 12 | | Died in a scuba diving accident in 1981 |
| 1975 | Aundie Evers | El Paso | | | 4th runner-up | | |
| 1974 | Debra Cronin | McDade | | | | | |
| 1973 | Lavonne McConnell | Fort Worth | | 19 | Top 12 | Best State Costume | |
| 1972 | Susan Peters | Austin | | | | Miss Photogenic | |
| 1971 | Brenda Box | Amarillo | | | 1st runner-up | | |
| 1970 | Diane Swendeman | San Antonio | | | Top 15 | Miss Congeniality | |
| 1969 | Sandy Drewes | Dallas | | | Top 15 | | |
| 1968 | Jeannie Wilson | Dallas | | | | | |
| 1967 | Bonnie Robinson | Houston | | | Top 15 | | |
| 1966 | Dorothy Pickens | Edinburg | | | Top 15 | | |
| 1965 | Phillis Johnson | Houston | | | Top 15 | | |
| 1964 | Diane Balloun | Houston | | | 1st runner-up | | |
| 1963 | Cheryl Wilburn | Houston | | | | |
| 1962 | Jackie Williams | Waxahachie | Miss Lake Whitney | | Top 15 | | |
| 1961 | Sheila Wade | Dallas | Miss Lake Whitney | | | | |
| 1960 | Pat Cloud | Houston | | | | | |
| 1959 | Carelgean Douglas | Houston | | | 1st runner-up | | |
| 1958 | Linda Daugherty | Houston | | | Top 15 | | |
| 1957 | Gloria Hunt | Houston | | | Top 15 | | |
| 1956 | Jo Dodson | Houston | | | 4th runner-up | | |
| 1955 | Mary Daughters | Houston | | | Top 15 | | |
| 1954 | Betty Lee | Houston | | | 3rd runner-up | | |
| 1953 | Joan Bradshaw | Houston | | 17 | Top 15 | | |
| 1952 | Charlene McClary | Houston | | | | | |
* ↑ Age at the time of the pageant