# Miss Indiana

The Miss Indiana competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Indiana in the Miss America Pageant.
Kalyn Melham of Muncie was crowned Miss Indiana 2024 on June 29, 2024, at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center in Zionsville. She will compete for the title of Miss America 2025.

## Gallery of past titleholders

* Nicole Rash, Miss Indiana 2007
* Katie Stam, Miss Indiana 2008 and Miss America 2009
* Megan Meadors, Miss Indiana 2008
* Nicole Pollard, Miss Indiana 2009
* Gabrielle Reed, Miss Indiana 2010

## Results summary

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Indiana 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: Katie Stam (2009)
* 1st runners-up: Carol Mitchell (1952), Ann Garnier (1953), Barbara Mougin (1978), Nicole Rash (2008)
* 2nd runners-up: Eileen Smith (1966), Shelli Yoder (1993), Cydney Bridges (2024)
* 3rd runners-up: Pam Carlberg (1982)
* 4th runners-up: Tommye Glaze (1961), Kit Field (1969), Rebecca Graham (1973), Tiffany Storm (1995)
* Top 5: Anna Howe (1927)
* Top 7: Elizabeth Hallal (2023)
* Top 10: Mary Haglund (1968), Penny Tichenor (1975), Cyndi Legler (1976), Laurie Broderick (1986), Shani Nielsen (1997), Julianne Hackney (1999), Bryn Chapman (2004)
* Top 12: MerrieBeth Cox (2013)
* Top 15: Helen Emly (1938), Tangra Riggle (2003), Nicole Pollard (2010), Lydia Tremaine (2019)
* Top 20: Allison Hatcher (2002)

#### Preliminary awards

* Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness: Anita Hursh (1959), Rebecca Graham (1973), Shelli Yoder (1993) (tie), Tiffany Storm (1995), Katie Stam (2009)
* Preliminary Talent: Gloria Rupprecht (1958), Tommye Glaze (1961), Eileen Smith (1966), Mary Haglund (1968), Laurie Broderick (1986), Shani Nielsen (1997), Tangra Riggle (2003), Lydia Tremaine (2019), Elizabeth Hallal (2023)

#### Non-finalist awards

* Non-finalist Talent: Kathleen Burke (1962), Pat Patterson (1972), Sheila Stephen (1988), Sarah Wiley (2005), Gabrielle Reed (2011), Audra Casterline (2015)

#### Other awards

* Miss Congeniality: Debbie May (1971), Cydney Bridges (2024)
* Albert A. Marks Jr. Interview Award: Kelly Lloyd (2000)
* Bernie Wayne Talent Award: Tiffany Storm (1995), Shani Nielsen (1997)
* Evening Dress Award: Thelma Blossom (1922)
* Intercity Roller Chair Parade Award: Thelma Blossom (1922)
* Neat as a Pin Award: Pat Patterson (1972) (tie)
* Professional Beauty Award Third Prize: Sydney Nelson (1922)
* Quality of Life Award Finalists: Betsy Uschkrat (2007), Katie Stam (2009)

## Winners

* 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 |
| 2024 | Kalyn Melham | Muncie | 23 | Miss Southern Heartland | Vocal | | | |
| 2023 | Cydney Bridges | Fort Wayne | 22 | Miss Fort Wayne | Vocal, "I'll Be There" | 2nd Runner-Up | Miss Congeniality | |
| 2022 | Elizabeth Hallal | Georgetown | 21 | Miss Southern Heartland | Musical Theater Vocal "Defying Gravity" | Top 7 | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 2021 | Braxton Hiser | Indianapolis | 24 | Miss West Central Indiana | Vocal | | | |
| 2019–20 | Tiarra Taylor | New Albany | 21 | Miss Indiana State University | Vocal | | | |
| 2018 | Lydia Tremaine | Kendallville | 20 | Miss Fort Wayne | Vocal, "That's Life" | Top 15 | Preliminary Talent Award | Later 2nd runner-up at Miss Indiana USA 2021 |
| 2017 | Haley Jordan Begay | Pittsboro | 19 | Miss Metropolitan | Vocal, "Hallelujah" | | | Later crowned Miss Indiana USA 2023 |
| 2016 | Brianna DeCamp | Kendallville | 22 | Miss Limberlost | Tap Dance | | | Previously Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen 2011 |
| 2015 | Morgan Jackson | Charlestown | 21 | Miss Harvest Homecoming | Lyrical Ballet, "It Is Well with My Soul" by Bill Gaither | | | Daughter of Miss New Mexico 1984, Trina Collins Previously Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen 2007 Top 10 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 pageant Contestant at National Sweetheart 2014 pageant |
| 2014 | Audra Casterline | Fishers | 23 | Miss Hoosier Heartland | Vocal, "Over the Rainbow" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | Contestant at National Sweetheart 2012 pageant |
| 2013 | Terrin Thomas | Auburn | 21 | Miss Indiana University | Vocal, "I'm Afraid This Must Be Love" | | | Arrested and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement in December 2014 Charges were dropped as of May 2015 |
| 2012 | MerrieBeth Cox | Roselle, IL | 22 | Miss Duneland | Baton Twirling, "Sparkling Diamonds" | Top 12 | | Eligible as a student at Purdue University Previously Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen 2007 Purdue University's 27th Golden Girl |
| 2011 | Jackie Jerlecki | Goshen | 22 | Miss Duneland | Vocal, "Take Me to the World" from Evening Primrose | | | |
| 2010 | Gabrielle Reed | Bloomington | 22 | Miss Southern Heartland | Vocal, "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 2009 | Nicole Pollard | Lafayette | 23 | Miss Duneland | Broadway Vocal, "And This Is My Beloved" | Top 15 | | Previously Indiana's Junior Miss 2004 |
| 2008 | Megan Meadors | Auburn | 22 | Miss Pride of Indiana | Vocal | Did not compete; originally placed 6th in the pageant, later assumed the title after Stam won Miss America 2009 | Did not compete; originally placed 6th in the pageant, later assumed the title after Stam won Miss America 2009 | Did not compete; originally placed 6th in the pageant, later assumed the title after Stam won Miss America 2009 |
| 2008 | Megan Meadors | Auburn | 22 | Miss Pride of Indiana | Vocal | | | Contestant at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant Cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts |
| 2008 | Katie Stam | Seymour | 22 | Miss Duneland | Vocal, "Via Dolorosa" | Winner | Preliminary Swimsuit Award Quality of Life Award Finalist | Received a "Golden Sash" and automatic Top 15 placement at Miss America 2009 pageant on Miss America: Countdown to the Crown |
| 2007 | Nicole Rash | Plymouth | 23 | Miss Ball State University | Vocal, "Bandito" | 1st runner-up | | Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant Later Ms. Missouri 2012 and Ms. America 2012 Later Mrs. America 2018 (under married name, Nicole Cook) Top 6 at Mrs. World 2018 pageant |
| 2006 | Betsy Uschkrat | Bloomington | 24 | Miss Indiana University | Classical Vocal, "Quando me'n vo'" | | Quality of Life Award Finalist | |
| 2005 | Susan Guilkey | Noblesville | 22 | Miss North Central | Vocal, "I, Don Quixote" from Man of La Mancha | | | Later married Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith |
| 2004 | Sarah Wiley | Carmel | 24 | Miss Wabash Valley | Vocal, "What Kind of Fool Am I?" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | Top 10 (2002) and contestant (2003) at National Sweetheart pageants |
| 2003 | Bryn Chapman | Indianapolis | 21 | Miss South Central | Vocal, "Home" from Phantom | Top 10 | | 3rd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2002 pageant as Miss Kentucky |
| 2002 | Tangra Riggle | West Lafayette | 21 | Miss North Central | Vocal, "God Bless America" | Top 15 | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 2001 | Allison Hatcher | Evansville | 24 | Miss North Central | Classical Piano, "Prelude in G Minor" | Top 20 | | |
| 2000 | Betsy Bobel | Peru | 23 | Miss Duneland | Gymnastics, "In the Mood" | | | Sister of Miss Indiana USA 2006, Bridget Bobel |
| 1999 | Kelly Lloyd | Indianapolis | 22 | Miss North Central | Jazz Dance, "Jump, Jive an' Wail" | | Albert A. Marks Jr. Interview Award | Triple Crown Winner Previously Miss Indiana Teen USA 1993 1st runner-up at Miss Teen USA 1993 pageant Later Miss Indiana USA 2002 2nd runner-up at Miss USA 2002 pageant 2nd runner-up at National Sweetheart 1998 pageant |
| 1998 | Julianne Hackney | Vincennes | 20 | Miss Northwest Territory | Vocal, "My Man" | Top 10 | | Top 10 at National Sweetheart 1997 pageant |
| 1997 | Sara Engerman | Kendallville | 19 | Miss Limberlost | Tap Dance, "Shout And Feel It" | | | |
| 1996 | Shani Nielsen | New Albany | 24 | Miss Harvest Homecoming | Vocal, "In His Eyes" from Jekyll & Hyde | Top 10 | Bernie Wayne Talent Award Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1995 | Becky Gray | Indianapolis | 23 | Miss North Central | Piano | | | |
| 1994 | Tiffany Storm | Bloomington | 24 | Miss Capital City | Dramatic Vocal, "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" | 4th runner-up | Bernie Wayne Talent Award Preliminary Swimsuit Award | |
| 1993 | Dayna Brewer | New Albany | 22 | Miss Capital City | Vocal, "When I Look At You" from The Scarlet Pimpernel | | | |
| 1992 | Shelli Yoder | Shipshewana | 24 | Miss Elkhart | Vocal, "This Is the Moment" | 2nd runner-up | Preliminary Swimsuit Award (tie) | Ran for United States House of Representatives as the Democratic candidate in 2012 and 2016 |
| 1991 | Kari Hipsher | Wabash | 23 | Miss Huntington | Ballet en Pointe | | | |
| 1990 | Brenda Bassett | Kokomo | 21 | Miss Kokomo | Character Ballet en Pointe | | | |
| 1989 | Lisa Williamson | Terre Haute | 26 | Miss Hoosier Hills | Classical Vocal, "The Doll Song" from The Tales of Hoffmann | | | |
| 1988 | Joni McMechan | Liberty | 21 | Miss Central Indiana | Semi-classical Vocal Medley | | | |
| 1987 | Sheila Stephen | Unionville | 23 | Miss Hoosier Hills | Country Vocal, "Only You" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1986 | Susan Sailor | Elkhart | 20 | Miss Elkhart | Piano | | | |
| 1985 | Laurie Broderick | Elkhart | 21 | Miss Elkhart | Dance / Twirl | Top 10 | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1984 | Cynthia Yantis | Fort Wayne | 23 | Miss Fort Wayne | Popular Vocal, "City Lights" | | | |
| 1983 | Teri Schultz | Bloomington | 21 | Miss Hoosier Hills | Ballet, "Sylvia" | | | |
| 1982 | Ilona Conway | Bunker Hill | 25 | Miss Hoosier Hills | Popular Vocal, "Mister Melody" | | | |
| 1981 | Pam Carlberg | Bourbon | 21 | Miss Plymouth | Accordion Medley, "Sabre Dance" & "Ritual Fire Dance" | 3rd runner-up | | |
| 1980 | Teri Kardatzke | Anderson | 19 | Miss Anderson | Semi-classical Vocal, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" | | | |
| 1979 | Rickee Farrell | Valparaiso | 18 | Miss North Central | Acrobatic Dance, "Sweet Charity" | | | |
| 1978 | Terry Kaiser | Etna Green | 22 | Miss Plymouth | Modern Dance, "Symphony No. 8" by Franz Schubert | | | |
| 1977 | Barbara Mougin | Bremen | 24 | Miss Plymouth | Modern Dance, "Theme from Summer of '42" | 1st runner-up | | |
| 1976 | Tamara Trittschuh | Plainfield | 21 | Miss Monroe County | Piano, "Rhapsodies, Op. 79" by Johannes Brahms | | | |
| 1975 | Cyndi Legler | Fort Wayne | 21 | Miss Mid-Central | Classical Ballet, "Dawn" from Coppélia | Top 10 | | Contestant at National Sweetheart 1974 pageant |
| 1974 | Penny Tichenor | Owensville | 21 | Miss Evansville Freedom Festival | Vocal, "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret | Top 10 | | |
| 1973 | Karen Rogers | Indianapolis | 22 | Miss Indiana Central College | Popular Vocal, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" | | | |
| 1972 | Rebecca Graham | Indianapolis | 23 | Miss South Central | Gymnastics Dance | 4th runner-up | Preliminary Swimsuit Award | |
| 1971 | Pat Patterson | Gary | 22 | Miss Gary | Vocal, "My Funny Valentine" | | Special Talent Award Neat as a Pin Award (tie) | First African-American Miss Indiana Performed as a recording artist under the name "Kellee Patterson" |
| 1970 | Debbie May | Remington | 21 | Miss Indianapolis | Semi-classical Vocal, "The Impossible Dream" | | Miss Congeniality | |
| 1969 | Jill Jackson | Anderson | 18 | Miss Anderson | Vocal / Dance, "Much More" from The Fantasticks | | | |
| 1968 | Kit Field | Indianapolis | 21 | Miss Indianapolis | Vocal, "Why Was I Born?" | 4th runner-up | | Featured performer on Miss America 1969 telecast |
| 1967 | Mary Haglund | Indianapolis / Janesville, Wisconsin | 19 | Miss Butler University | Figure Skating, "Swan Lake" & "The Shadow of Your Smile" | Top 10 | Preliminary Talent Award | A Wisconsin native, Mary qualified by attending college studies at Butler University in Indianapolis. |
| 1966 | Jane Ann Rutledge | Vincennes | 19 | Miss Indiana University | Piano medley of works by George Gershwin | | | |
| 1965 | Eileen Smith | Indianapolis | 18 | Miss Indianapolis | Vocal Medley, "The Sound of Music" & "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" | 2nd runner-up | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1964 | Sandra Miller | Bedford | 20 | Miss Bedford | Popular Vocal | | | |
| 1963 | Marsha Pinkstaff | Crawfordsville | | Miss Butler University | Dramatic Reading | | | |
| 1962 | Julia Flaningan | Lebanon | 20 | Miss Butler University | Popular Vocal | | | |
| 1961 | Kathleen Burke | Terre Haute | 18 | Miss Indiana State Teachers College | Musical Monologue & Fashion Show | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1960 | Tommye Glaze | Culver | 21 | Miss Plymouth | Classical Vocal, "Una Voce Poco Fa" from The Barber of Seville | 4th runner-up | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1959 | Barbara Kummer | Valparaiso | 20 | Miss Valparaiso University | Impersonations of Television Personalities | | | |
| 1958 | Anita Hursh | Goshen | | Miss Goshen | Piano, "Polonaise" by Frédéric Chopin | | Preliminary Swimsuit Award | |
| 1957 | Gloria Rupprecht | Valparaiso | | Miss Valparaiso University | Vocal / Comedy Skit, "My Hero" | | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1956 | Mary McNulty | Fort Wayne | 22 | Miss Fort Wayne | Soft Shoe Dance, "Singin' in the Rain" | | | |
| 1955 | Carolyn Turner | Indianapolis | | Miss Indianapolis | Chalk Talk & Poetry | | | |
| 1954 | Sue Eaton | Monticello | | Miss Indianapolis | Art/Photo Display & Hula | | | |
| 1953 | Violet Wratich | East Chicago | | Miss East Chicago | Vocal | | | |
| 1952 | Ann Garnier | Indianapolis | | Miss Indianapolis | Classical Vocal, "Il Bacio" by Luigi Arditi | 1st runner-up | | |
| 1951 | Carol Mitchell | Rochester | | Miss Rochester | Chalk Talk & Marionette Exhibition | 1st runner-up | | |
| 1950 | Pat Berry | Indianapolis | | Miss Monticello | Vocal, "I'm Falling In Love With Someone" from Naughty Marietta | | | |
| 1949 | Patricia Cunningham | Peru | | Miss Monticello | Water Ballet | | | Original winner, Fay Suter, was disqualified for having competed in two local pageants that same year |
| 1948 | Patti Grubbs | Gary | | | Vocal, "When You Are Away" | | | |
| 1947 | Beverly Trenary | Gary | | | Vocal, "I'll Close My Eyes" | | | |
| 1946 | Lois Chitwood | Helmsburg | | Miss Indiana University | Piano & Speech | | | |
| 1945 | Betty Lockyear | Evansville | | | Vocal, "Indian Love Call" | | | |
| 1944 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1943 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1942 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1941 | Alice Ullery | Evansville | | | Modeling | | | |
| 1940 | Carolyn Akin | Evansville | | | Tap Dance | | | |
| 1939 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1938 | Rosemary White | | | Miss Indianapolis | | | | Multiple Indiana representatives Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant |
| 1938 | Helen Emly | Letts | | Miss Letts | | Top 15 | | Multiple Indiana representatives Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant |
| 1937 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1936 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1935 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 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 | Mary Frances Lininger | | | | N/A | N/A | N/A | Chose to get married and thus did not compete at Miss America 1933 pageant |
| 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 | Anna May Owens | Gary | | Miss Gary | N/A | | | Multiple Indiana representatives Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant |
| 1927 | Anna Howe | | | Miss Hammond | N/A | Top 5 | | Multiple Indiana representatives Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant |
| 1927 | Hilda Koch | South Bend | | Miss South Bend | N/A | | | Multiple Indiana representatives Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant |
| 1927 | Vera Haspal | | | Miss Terre Haute | N/A | | | Multiple Indiana representatives Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant |
| 1926 | Wanda Marie Sobczak | Michigan City | 20 | | N/A | | | Won the inaugural Miss Indiana pageant that took place at Gay Mills Ballroom in Miller, Indiana |
| 1925 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1924 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1923 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1922 | Sydney Nelson | Indianapolis | | | N/A | | Professional Beauty Award Third Prize | Nelson lived and worked in New York City at time of pageant but cited as being from Indianapolis (therefore credited as a "Miss Indiana" titleholder). Appeared in the Broadway productions of The Passing Show of 1922 and The Whirl of New York |
| 1922 | Thelma Blossom | Indianapolis | 20 | Miss Indianapolis | N/A | | Evening Dress Award Intercity Roller Chair Parade Award | Competed as Miss Indianapolis at Miss America pageant |
| 1921 | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant | No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant |