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For the state pageant affiliated with Miss USA, see Miss Indiana USA.
Miss Indiana
Formation1922
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersIndianapolis
Location
Membership
Miss America
Official language
English
Key people
Aren Straiger (Executive Director)
WebsiteOfficial website

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.

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

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 TBA TBA
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[1] Indianapolis 24 Miss West Central Indiana Vocal
2019–20 Tiarra Taylor[2] New Albany 21 Miss Indiana State University Vocal
2018 Lydia Tremaine[3] Kendallville 20 Miss Fort Wayne Vocal, "That's Life" Top 15[4] Preliminary Talent Award[5] Later 2nd runner-up at Miss Indiana USA 2021[6]
2017 Haley Jordan Begay[7] Pittsboro 19 Miss Metropolitan Vocal, "Hallelujah" Later crowned Miss Indiana USA 2023
2016 Brianna DeCamp[8][9] Kendallville 22 Miss Limberlost Tap Dance Previously Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen 2011[10]
2015 Morgan Jackson[11] Charlestown 21 Miss Harvest Homecoming Lyrical Ballet, "It Is Well with My Soul" by Bill Gaither Daughter of Miss New Mexico 1984, Trina Collins[12]

Previously Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen 2007[12]
Top 10 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 pageant[13]

Contestant at National Sweetheart 2014 pageant
2014 Audra Casterline[14] Fishers 23 Miss Hoosier Heartland Vocal, "Over the Rainbow" Non-finalist Talent Award Contestant at National Sweetheart 2012 pageant
2013 Terrin Thomas[15] 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[16]
Charges were dropped as of May 2015[17]
2012 MerrieBeth Cox[18] Roselle, IL 22 Miss Duneland Baton Twirling, "Sparkling Diamonds" Top 12[15] Eligible as a student at Purdue University

Previously Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen 2007[19]

Purdue University's 27th Golden Girl[20]
2011 Jackie Jerlecki[21] 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
Contestant at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant

Cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts[22]
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[23] 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[24]

Later Mrs. America 2018 (under married name, Nicole Cook)[25]
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
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[26] West Lafayette 21 Miss North Central Vocal, "God Bless America" Top 15 Preliminary Talent Award
2001 Allison Hatcher Evansville 24 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


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[27][28]
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 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)[29] 		First African-American Miss Indiana[citation needed]

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 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 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 Water Ballet Original winner, Fay Suter, was disqualified for having competed in two local pageants that same year[30]
1948 Patti Grubbs Gary Vocal, "When You Are Away"
1947 Beverly Trenary 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[31][32][33]
1943
1942
1941 Alice Ullery Evansville Modeling
1940 Carolyn Akin Tap Dance
1939 No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant[34]
1938 Rosemary White Miss Indianapolis Multiple Indiana representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Helen Emly Letts Miss Letts Top 15
1937 No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant[35][36][37]
1936
1935
1934 No national pageant was held[38]
1933 Mary Frances Lininger N/A[39] N/A Chose to get married and thus did not compete at Miss America 1933 pageant
1932 No national pageants were held[38]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927 Anna May Owens Gary Miss Gary N/A[39] Multiple Indiana representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Anna Howe Miss Hammond Top 5
Hilda Koch South Bend Miss South Bend
Vera Haspal Miss Terre Haute
1926 Wanda Marie Sobczak Michigan City 20 Won the inaugural Miss Indiana pageant that took place at Gay Mills Ballroom in Miller, Indiana
1925 No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant[40][41][42]
1924
1923
1922 Sydney Nelson[43] Indianapolis[44] N/A[39] Professional Beauty Award Third Prize[45] 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).[44]

Appeared in the Broadway productions of The Passing Show of 1922 and The Whirl of New York[44][46]
Thelma Blossom[47] Indianapolis 20 Miss Indianapolis Evening Dress Award[48]

Intercity Roller Chair Parade Award[49] 		Competed as Miss Indianapolis at Miss America pageant
1921
No Indiana representative at Miss America pageant[50]

References

  1. ^ "Miss Indiana returns after pandemic, crowns 2021 winners". wthr.com. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  2. ^ Winklepeck, Dana (June 16, 2019). "Miss ISU is new Miss Indiana". My Wabash Valley.
  3. ^ "Miss Indiana, Miss Indiana Teen crowned". WISH News. June 17, 2018.
  4. ^ Serpico, Erin (September 8, 2018). "Miss New York crowned Miss America 2019 in Atlantic City". Press of Atlantic City.
  5. ^ Parry, Wayne (September 7, 2018). "Miss America contestant: Trump 'caused a lot of division'". The Associated Press.
  6. ^ "Miss Indiana USA & Teen USA pageant results". Pageant Update.
  7. ^ "Auburn woman named 2nd runner-up in Miss Indiana competition". WANE.com. June 18, 2017.
  8. ^ "Brianna DeCamp is Miss Indiana 2016". pageantsnews.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ Little, Megan (June 19, 2016). "Kendallville women crowned Miss Indiana, Miss Indiana Outstanding Teen". WANE.com.
  10. ^ "Brianna DeCamp Crowned Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen 2011". Four Points Magazine. June 24, 2011.
  11. ^ "Charlestown woman crowned Miss Indiana 2015". Indianapolis, IN: WTHR. June 20, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Kim, Gina (June 24, 2015). "U of L student crowned Miss Indiana". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, KY: Gannett. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  13. ^ "Congratulations to Morgan for Making the Top Ten at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2007 in Orlando". Miss Indiana Organization. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007.
  14. ^ "Audra Casterline crowned Miss Indiana". WTHR.com. June 21, 2014.
  15. ^ a b "IU's Terrin Thomas crowned Miss Indiana 2013". WTHR.com. June 23, 2013.
  16. ^ "2013 Miss Indiana arrested on charges including public intoxication". The Indianapolis Star. December 11, 2014.
  17. ^ "Charges dropped against former Miss Indiana". WISHTV.com. May 1, 2015.
  18. ^ "MerrieBeth Cox crowned Miss Indiana 2012". Current in Zionsville. July 3, 2012.
  19. ^ "Neighbors in the News". The Daily Herald. April 8, 2008. Merriebeth Cox, 17, of Roselle, the reigning Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen 2007...
  20. ^ "MerrieBeth Cox named Purdue's 27th Golden Girl". March 3, 2008.
  21. ^ "Goshen's Jackie Jerlecki Miss Indiana". Goshen News. June 25, 2011.
  22. ^ "Indianapolis Colts: Megan M." Indianapolis Colts. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  23. ^ "Nicole Rash is 2007 Miss Indiana". Zionsville Times Sentinel. June 27, 2007.
  24. ^ Peterson, Deb (April 17, 2012). "St. Louis' Nicole Rash crowned Ms. America". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  25. ^ "Chief Meteorologist places in Top 15 in Mrs. America Pageant". KGET News. August 27, 2018. Nicole Elizabeth Cook of Illinois was crowned Mrs. America.
  26. ^ Tomcsi, Jason (June 17, 2002). "Purdue senior named Miss Indiana". The Exponent.
  27. ^ Wray, Jessica (November 6, 2012). "U.S. Rep. Todd Young defeats Shelli Yoder in Indiana's 9th District". The Courier-Journal.
  28. ^ "Indiana U.S. House 9th District Results: Trey Hollingsworth Wins". The New York Times. November 17, 2016.
  29. ^ ""Miss Indiana's" Boosters on hand in Atlantic City". Indianapolis Recorder. September 18, 1971. p. 1.
  30. ^ "Beauty Contestant Is Disqualified". Kentucky New Era. Sep 3, 1949.
  31. ^ "1944 Candidates". Miss America.
  32. ^ "1943 Candidates". Miss America.
  33. ^ "1942 Candidates". Miss America.
  34. ^ "1939 Candidates". Miss America.
  35. ^ "1935 Candidates". Miss America.
  36. ^ "1936 Candidates". Miss America.
  37. ^ "1937 Candidates". Miss America.
  38. ^ a b "Miss America Timeline: 1901–1950". PBS. Archived from the original on 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  39. ^ 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.
  40. ^ "1923 Candidates". Miss America.
  41. ^ "1924 Candidates". Miss America.
  42. ^ "1925 Candidates". Miss America.
  43. ^ "Miss Columbus Picked as Miss America at Pageant". Evening Journal. Vineland, New Jersey. September 9, 1922. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ a b c ""Miss Columbus" Is Pettiest of All America Girls". The News Journal. Wilmington, Delaware. September 9, 1922. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Atlantic City's Queen of Beauty is 'Miss Columbus'". The New York Herald. New York New York. September 9, 1922. p. 6.
  46. ^ Dietz, Dan (2019). "1921-1922 Season". The Complete Book of 1920s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 71. ISBN 978-1538112823 – via Google Books.
  47. ^ "Indianapolis Gives Fitting Welcome to Girl Whose Beauty Wins National Fame". The Indianapolis Times. Indianapolis, Indiana. September 14, 1922. p. 2.
  48. ^ "Below: The Prize Winners". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. September 24, 1922. p. 101.
  49. ^ "'Miss Indianapolis' Is Prettiest Girl: Thelma Blossom Wins First Two Events in Atlantic City Beauty Show". The New York Times. New York, New York. September 8, 1922. p. 13.
  50. ^ "1921 Candidates". Miss America.
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