# Miss District of Columbia

The Miss District of Columbia competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the District of Columbia in the Miss America Pageant.
The District of Columbia pageant, which was suspended for some years during the 1960s and 1990s, is unusual in that many winners come from outside the district. Women are eligible to compete for the title if they attend school, work, or are ordinarily a resident in the District, and many students who have won the title come from out-of-state.
Katie Ann Powell was crowned Miss District of Columbia 2024 on June 22, 2024 at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C. She will compete for the title of Miss America 2025.

## Gallery of past titleholders

* Margaret Gorman, Miss Washington, D.C. 1921 and Miss America 1921
* Helen Sweeney, Miss District of Columbia 1924
* Dorothy Parker, Miss District of Columbia 1938
* Margo Lucey, Miss District of Columbia 1956
* Kate Michael, Miss District of Columbia 2006
* Shayna Rudd, Miss District of Columbia 2007
* Kate Grinold, Miss District of Columbia 2008
* Jennifer Corey, Miss District of Columbia 2009
* Stephanie Williams, Miss District of Columbia 2010
* Bindhu Pamarthi, Miss District of Columbia 2013

## Results summary

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss District of Columbia 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

* Miss Americas: Margaret Gorman (1921), Venus Ramey (1944)
* 1st runners-up: Marjorie Joesting (1926), Margo Lucey (1957), Rosanne Tueller (1964)
* 2nd runners-up: Jean Cavanaugh (1941)
* 3rd runners-up: Ruth Rea (1961), Marshawn Evans (2002), Briana Kinsey (2018)
* 4th runners-up: Dixie Rafter (1943), Shannon Schambeau (2006)
* Top 4: Margaret Gorman (1922)
* Top 10: Linda Weisbrod (1955), Nicole Messina (1999), Kate Grinold (2009), Jennifer Corey (2010), Allison Farris (2019), Andolyn Medina (2022)
* Top 12: Helen Clum (1935)
* Top 13: Dorothy Powell (1945)
* Top 15: Dorothy Parker (1938), Catherine Howe (1940)
* Top 16: Sandra Stahl (1951)
* Top 18: Rita Burns (1933)

### Awards
#### Preliminary awards

* Preliminary Interview: Marshawn Evans (2002)
* Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness: Dixie Rafter (1943), Venus Ramey (1944), Ruth Rea (1961), Rosanne Tueller (1964), Shannon Schambeau (2006), Cierra Jackson (2017)
* Preliminary Talent: Catherine Howe (1940), Venus Ramey (1944), Sandra Stahl (1951), Iris Fitch (1953), Linda Weisbrod (1955), Virginia Pailes (1960) (tie), Rosanne Tueller (1964), Nicole Messina (1999), Marshawn Evans (2002)

#### Non-finalist awards

* Non-finalist Interview: Ashley Boalch (2012)
* Non-finalist Talent: Scarlett Shinault (1962), Toyia Taylor (2000), Shayna Rudd (2008)

#### Other awards

* Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship: Andolyn Medina (2022)
* Miss Congeniality: Iris Fitch (1953) (tie)
* Four Points Award: Stephanie Williams (2011)
* Quality of Life Award Finalists: Nicole Messina (1999), Therese Lizardo (2005), Briana Kinsey (2018), Allison Farris (2019)
* STEM Scholarship Award Winners: Briana Kinsey (2018)
* Top Fundraiser 4th runner-ups: Andolyn Medina (2022)

## Winners

* Declared as winner
* Ended as a runner-up
* Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
| Year | Name | Hometown | Age | Local Title | Talent | Placement at Miss America | Special scholarships at Miss America | Notes |
| 2024 | Katie Ann Powell | | 26 | Miss Penn Quarter | Harp | | | |
| 2023 | Jude Maboné | Washington, D.C. | 27 | Miss Rock Creek Park | Classical Vocal | | | |
| 2022 | Alivia Roberts | Shannon, MS | 26 | Miss Embassy Row | Ballet en Pointe | | | |
| 2021 | Andolyn Medina | Chesapeake, VA | 25 | | Vocal | Top 10 | Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship Top Fundraiser 5th Place | Previously Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2012 Top 10 and Preliminary Evening Gown/OSQ at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2013 Previously District of Columbia Sweetheart 2019 3rd runner up at National Sweetheart 2019 pageant Currently an officer in the United States Navy |
| 2019–2020 | Katelynne Cox | Camas, Washington | 24 | | Vocal | | Women in Business Scholarship Finalist | Previously Miss Missouri 2016 within Miss Earth United States organization Top 10 finalist at Miss Earth United States 2016 pageant |
| 2018 | Allison Farris | Jasper, AL | 24 | | Classical Piano, "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6" by Franz Liszt | Top 10 | Quality of Life Award Finalist | |
| 2017 | Briana Kinsey | Hoover, AL | 24 | | Pop Vocal, "Born For This" | 3rd runner-up | Quality of Life Award Finalist STEM Scholarship Award | Eligible as a graduate student at American University |
| 2016 | Cierra Jackson | Columbus, GA | 24 | | Gospel Vocal, "Alabaster Box" by CeCe Winans | | Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award | Later Miss District of Columbia USA 2020 Top 16 at Miss USA 2020 pageant |
| 2015 | Haely Jardas | Fort Myers, FL | 24 | | Vocal, "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift | | | |
| 2014 | Teresa Davis | Hoschton, GA | 23 | | Piano, "Malagueña" | | | |
| 2013 | Bindhu Pamarthi | Washington, D.C. | 23 | | Bollywood Dance, "Stereo Love" | | | |
| 2012 | Allyn Rose | Newburg, MD | 24 | | Artistic Roller Skating, "Beat It" | | | Previously Miss Maryland USA 2011 Top 8 at Miss USA 2011 pageant Later Miss U.S. Supranational 2014 3rd runner-up at Miss Supranational 2014 pageant |
| 2011 | Ashley Boalch | Sandy Spring, MD | 23 | | Vocal, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" | | Non-finalist Interview Award | Appears on The Real Housewives of Potomac |
| 2010 | Stephanie Williams | Atlantic City, NJ | 23 | | Vocal, "This Is My Now" | | Four Points Award | |
| 2009 | Jennifer Corey | West Islip, NY | 22 | | Operatic Vocal, "O mio babbino caro" | Top 10 | | Contestant at National Sweetheart 2008 pageant |
| 2008 | Kate Grinold | Washington, D.C. | 23 | | Contemporary Ballet Tango, "Tanguera" | Top 10 | | |
| 2007 | Shayna Rudd | Philadelphia, PA | 22 | | Jazz Dance, "Feeling Good" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 2006 | Kate Michael | Lilburn, GA | 24 | | Jazz Dance, "Fever" | | | |
| 2005 | Shannon Schambeau | San Antonio, FL | 25 | | Tap Dance, "My Strongest Suit" from Aida | 4th runner-up | Preliminary Swimsuit Award | 2nd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2004 pageant as Miss Florida Later Mrs. Texas America 2010 Top 6 at Mrs. America 2011 under married name, Shannon Patterson |
| 2004 | Therese Lizardo | Watchung, NJ | 24 | | Hawaiian/Tahitian Dance, "Tahitian Drums" | | Quality of Life Award Finalist | |
| 2003 | Lisa Ferris | Portland, OR | 21 | | Vocal, "Gimme, Gimme" from Thoroughly Modern Millie | | | |
| 2002 | Sarah-Elizabeth Langford | Atlanta, GA | 23 | | Gymnastics, "Around the World" | | | Later Miss District of Columbia USA 2005 |
| 2001 | Marshawn Evans | Arlington, VA | 22 | | Rhythmic Dance Twirl, "I Will Survive" | 3rd runner-up | Preliminary Interview Award Preliminary Talent Award | Contestant on The Apprentice 4 |
| 2000 | Rashida Jolley | Washington, D.C. | 20 | | Harp, "I Got Rhythm" & "Fascinating Rhythm" | | | |
| 1999 | Toyia Taylor | Washington, D.C. | 24 | | Public Address, "Wake Up" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1998 | Nicole Messina | Waterford, NJ | 23 | | Tap Dance, "Sing, Sing, Sing" | Top 10 | Preliminary Talent Award Quality of Life Award Finalist | |
| 1997 | Sonya Gavankar | Joliet, IL | 21 | | Vocal, "The Power of the Dream" | | | |
| 1990–1996 | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1989 | Donya Rose | Washington, D.C. | 22 | | Lyrical Jazz Ballet, "Over the Rainbow" | | | |
| 1988 | Patricia Morrin | Washington, D.C. | 23 | | Jazz Dance | | | Crowned after the original pageant results, in which Edwina Richard was crowned, were overturned due a judge being a faculty member where two of the contestants were students |
| 1987 | Cheryl Chapman | Arlington, VA | 21 | | Vocal, "Come Rain or Come Shine" | | | |
| 1986 | Karen Watson | Arlington, VA | 25 | | Classical Ballet en Pointe | | | |
| 1985 | Cherie Ward | Adelphi, MD | 22 | | Original Drama | | | |
| 1984 | Desiree Keating | Silver Spring, MD | 22 | | Interpretive Dance | | | Later Miss District of Columbia USA 1986 |
| 1964–1983 | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant | No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1963 | Rosanne Tueller | McLean, VA | | | Vocal & Jazz Dance, "I Love Paris" | 1st runner-up | Preliminary Swimsuit Award Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1962 | Ann Verner | Arlington, VA | 19 | | Vocal & Guitar, "Country Boy" | | | |
| 1961 | Scarlett Shinault | Silver Spring, MD | 20 | | Vocal, "I Cain't Say No" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1960 | Ruth Rea | Chevy Chase, MD | 18 | | Vocal, "A Little Brains, A Little Talent" from Damn Yankees | 3rd runner-up | Preliminary Swimsuit Award | |
| 1959 | Virginia Pailes | Hyattsville, MD | 21 | | Vocal, "It All Depends on You" | | Preliminary Talent Award (tie) | |
| 1958 | Lee Berkow | Washington, D.C. | 21 | | Vocal, "Come Rain or Come Shine" | | | |
| 1957 | June Cook | Arlington, VA | 20 | | Piano, Rhapsody in Blue | | | |
| 1956 | Margo Lucey | Colesville, MD | 20 | | Dramatic Monologue & Vocal, "Autumn Leaves" | 1st runner-up | | Later Mrs. Maryland 1980 4th runner-up at Mrs. America 1981 pageant |
| 1955 | Judith Dunkle | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | Vocal | | | |
| 1954 | Linda Weisbrod | Washington, D.C. | 21 | | Classical Vocal, "O Mio Fernando" from La favorite | Top 10 | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1953 | Helen Smith | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | Dance | | | |
| 1952 | Iris Fitch | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | Vocal, "With a Song in My Heart" | | Miss Congeniality (tie) Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1951 | June Klein | Washington, D.C. | 21 | | Vocal | | | |
| 1950 | Sandra Stahl | Washington, D.C. | 21 | | Classical Vocal, "The Bell Song" from Lakmé | Top 16 | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1949 | Mary Hayes | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | Classical Piano | | | |
| 1948 | Joann Miller | Washington, D.C. | 23 | | Vocal, "An Old, Old Castle in Scotland" | | | |
| 1947 | Margaret Wilson | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | Dance, "Mexican Hat Dance" | | | |
| 1946 | Jeanne Carlson | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | Vocal, "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly" | | | |
| 1945 | Dorothy Powell | Washington, D.C. | 21 | | Dramatic Reading from Saint Joan | Top 13 | | |
| 1944 | Venus Ramey | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | Vocal in English and Spanish & Dance, "Take It Easy" | Winner | Preliminary Swimsuit Award Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1943 | Dixie Rafter | Washington, D.C. | 18 | | Vocal / Dance, "They're Either Too Young or Too Old" from Thank Your Lucky Stars | 4th runner-up | Preliminary Swimsuit Award | |
| 1942 | Marilyn Makin | Washington, D.C. | 18 | | Vocal | | | |
| 1941 | Jean Cavanaugh | Washington, D.C. | 18 | | Soft Shoe Dance, "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" | 2nd runner-up | | |
| 1940 | Catherine Howe | Washington, D.C. | 22 | | Dance, "The Yam" | Top 15 | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1939 | Evelyn Foster | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | Ballet en Pointe | | | |
| 1938 | Dorothy Parker | Washington, D.C. | | | Vocal & Tap Dance, "How'd You Like to Love Me" | Top 15 | | |
| 1937 | Helen Greene | Washington, D.C. | 24 | | Blues Vocal & Piano | | | |
| 1936 | Shirley Schwartz | Washington, D.C. | | | | | | First Jewish titleholder |
| 1935 | Helen Clum | Washington, D.C. | 18 | | Vocal & Dance, "Every Day I'll Fall In Love With You" | Top 12 | | |
| 1934 | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held |
| 1933 | Rita Burns | Washington, D.C. | 19 | | N/A | Top 18 | | |
| 1932 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1931 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1930 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1929 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1928 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1927 | Gladys Cookman | Washington, D.C. | | | N/A | | | |
| 1926 | Marjorie Joesting | Washington, D.C. | | | N/A | 1st runner-up | | |
| 1925 | Abbie Eagan | Washington, D.C. | | | N/A | | | |
| 1924 | Helen Sweeney | Washington, D.C. | | | N/A | | | |
| 1923 | Margaret Gorman | Washington, D.C. | 18 | | N/A | | | Competed as Miss America 1921 |
| 1923 | Lorraine Bunch | Washington, D.C. | | | N/A | | | Competed as Miss Washington, D.C. at national pageant |
| 1922 | Margaret Gorman | Washington, D.C. | 17 | | N/A | Top 4 | | Returned to defend her title and competed as Miss America 1921 |
| 1922 | Evelyn C. Lewis | Washington, D.C. | | | N/A | | | Competed as Miss Washington, D.C. at national pageant |
| 1921 | Margaret Gorman | Washington, D.C. | 16 | | N/A | Winner | Bathers' Revue Award Golden Mermaid Trophy | Competed as Miss Washington, D.C. at national pageant |

### Notes

* ↑ Titleholder extended to a second full year in 2020 after state and national pageants postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic