Miss Maryland

The Miss Maryland competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Maryland in the Miss America pageant.[1]

Miss Maryland
Formation1921
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersBaltimore
Location
Membership
Miss America
Official language
English
WebsiteOfficial website

Bridget O'Brien of Frederick was crowned Miss Maryland 2024 in June 2024 at Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown, Maryland.[2] She will go on to compete for the title of Miss America 2025 in the coming months.

Past titleholders

Results summary

Results of Miss Maryland titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

  • 1st runners-up: Virginia Cha (1990)
  • 3rd runners-up: Keri L. Schrader (2000), Marina Harrison (2004)
  • 4th runners-up: Camille Lewis (2003)
  • Top 7: Hannah Brewer (2017)
  • Top 10: Georgia Reed (1952), Ingrid Christine Larson (1968), Kathleen Louise Neff (1973), Barbara Jean Jennings (1977), Tamara Alaine Walker (1988), Christina Denny (2014), Joanna Guy (2013)
  • Top 11: Kennedy Taylor (2024)
  • Top 12: Frances Stine (1935)
  • Top 13: Virginia Lee Van Sant (1945)
  • Top 20: Kelly Glorioso (2002)

Awards

Preliminary awards

  • Preliminary Fitness: Kennedy Taylor (2024)
  • Preliminary Evening Gown: Kennedy Taylor (2024)
  • Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness: Shelly Meg Peiken (1980), Jade Kenny (2015), Hannah Brewer (2017)
  • Preliminary Talent: Beverly Anne Smith (1963) (tie), Debra Renea Fries (1992), Camille Lewis (2003), Joanna Guy (2013)

Non-finalist awards

  • Non-finalist Talent: Linda Rita Peluzzo (1967), Veronica Marie Clarke (1976), Lisa Marie Daskal (1981), Debra Renea Fries (1992), Heather Noelle Davis (1998), Destiny Clark (2016)

Other awards

  • Miss Congeniality: N/A
  • Charles and Theresa Brown Scholarship: Joanna Guy (2013), Hannah Brewer (2017)
  • Dr. & Mrs. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship: Barbara Jean Jennings (1977)
  • Equity & Justice Scholarship Award Finalists: Caitlyn Stupi (2020)
  • Jean Bartel Military Awareness Award: Kayla Willing (2023)
  • Quality of Life Award Winners: Heather Noelle Davis (1998)
  • Quality of Life Award 1st runners-up: Kelly Glorioso (2002), Joanna Guy (2013), Adrianna David (2019)
  • Quality of Life Award 2nd runners-up: Jade Kenny (2015), Hannah Brewer (2017)
  • Quality of Life Award Finalists: Lindsay Staniszewski (2011), Destiny Clark (2016)
  • Women in Business Scholarship Award Finalists: Hannah Brewer (2017), Kathleen Masek (2018)

Winners

  •   Declared as winner
  •   Ended as a runner-up
  •   Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
YearNameHometownAgeLocal TitleTalentPlacement at Miss AmericaSpecial scholarships at Miss AmericaNotes
2024Bridget O'BrienFrederickMiss Allegany CountyMusical Theatre Vocal, "Don't Rain on My Parade"
2023Kennedy TaylorSilver Spring26Miss Allegany CountyLatin Ballroom Dance, "Conga"Top 11Preliminary Evening Gown Award

Preliminary Fitness Award
Previously Miss Maryland's Outstanding Teen 2012[3]

Top 10 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen[4]
2022Kayla WillingDeal Island19Miss Southern MarylandVocalJean Bartel Military Awareness Award
2021Lydia SohnHanover25Miss Western MarylandCello
2020Allison Redman[5]Bel Air25ViolinDid not compete; 3rd runner-up at Miss Maryland 2019 pageant, later assumed the 2020 title after Stupi chose not to serve a second year; 2020 state pageant was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[6][7]
2019Caitlyn Stupi[8]Westminster21Miss Allegany CountyCello, "The Swan"Equity & Justice Scholarship Award Finalist[9]Later 2x runner-up at Miss Maryland USA[10]
2018Adrianna David[11]Rockville24Miss Charm of the ChesapeakeVocal, "You've Got Possibilities"Quality of Life Award 1st runner-upPreviously Miss Maryland USA 2017[12]
2017Kathleen Masek[13]Westminster22Miss White OakTheatrical DanceWomen in Business Scholarship Finalist[14]
2016Hannah Brewer[15]Manchester19Miss Rocky GapVocal, "God Bless America"Top 7Charles and Theresa Brown Scholarship

Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award

Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up[16]

Women in Business Scholarship Finalist[16]
Sister of Miss Pennsylvania 2005, Nicole Brewer

Previously Miss Maryland Teen USA 2013
Top 16 at Miss Teen USA 2013 pageant
2015Destiny Clark[17]Gaithersburg23Miss Anne Arundel CountyOriginal vocal with Guitar accompaniment, "Everything Happens For a Reason"Non-finalist Talent Award

Quality of Life Award Finalist
2014Jade KennyMadison23Miss Allegany CountyContemporary Ballet en Pointe, "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)"Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award

Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up
Semifinalist at Miss District of Columbia USA 2018[18]
3rd runner-up at Miss Virginia USA 2019[18]
2013Christina Denny[19]Owings Mills22Miss Western MarylandVocal, "For Good"Top 10Later Miss Maryland USA 2016
2012Joanna Guy[20]Swanton20Miss Queen StateVocal, "I Dreamed a Dream"Top 10[21]Charles and Theresa Brown Scholarship

Preliminary Talent Award

Quality of Life Award 1st runner-up
Previously Miss Maryland's Outstanding Teen 2008[22]
3rd runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2009 pageant[22]
2011Carlie Colella[23][24]Hagerstown20Miss Central MarylandContemporary Dance, "The Edge of Glory"
2010Lindsay Staniszewski[25]Baltimore22Miss Montgomery CountyVocal, "A Change In Me" from Beauty and the BeastQuality of Life Award FinalistSister of Miss Maryland's Outstanding Teen 2007, Miss Maryland Teen USA 2009, and Miss Maryland USA 2013, Kasey Staniszewski
2009Brooke Poklemba[26]Westminster20Miss University CityVocal, "A Broken Wing"
2008Louise SchlegelSilver Spring20Miss Allegany CountyVocal, "If I Had My Way"
2007Shana Powell[27]Bowie22Classical Vocal, "Glitter and Be Gay" from CandideSister of Miss Maryland Teen USA 2000, Niambi Powell[28]
2006Brittany LietzEdgewater21Miss TidewaterLyrical Dance, "The Gold"
2005Rachel EllsworthFort Ashby, WV21Miss Western MarylandTap Dance, "Do Your Thing"Eligible as a student at Allegany College
2004Tiffany L. JenkinsSilver Spring24Miss GaithersburgVocal, "Take My Breath Away"
2003Marina HarrisonSevern22Miss BurtonsvilleVocal, "Fallin'"3rd runner-upCasual Wear AwardLater Miss Maryland USA 2005
Top 10 at Miss USA 2005 pageant
2002Camille LewisSilver Spring23Miss College ParkViolin, "Victory"4th runner-upPreliminary Talent Award

Preliminary Evening Wear Award

Overall Talent Award
Top 10 at National Sweetheart 1999 & 2001 pageants
2001Kelly GloriosoFallston21Miss Free StateVocal, "I'm Afraid This Must Be Love"Top 20Quality of Life Award 1st runner-up
2000Sonia Maria AmirBeltsville24Miss BethesdaClassical Piano, "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2"
1999Keri L. SchraderRockville24Miss College ParkBallet en Pointe, "The Stars and Stripes Forever"3rd runner-upPreviously National Sweetheart 1998 as Miss Florida[citation needed]
1998Heather Noelle DavisSeverna Park23Miss Southern MarylandClassical Piano Medley, "Flight of the Bumblebee" & "Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum" & "Hungarian Rhapsody No.13"Quality of Life Award

Non-finalist Talent Award

Steinway Piano Performance Award
As of 2023, only Miss Maryland to have won Quality of Life Award. Earned $10,000 scholarship and opportunity to speak at a focused press conference discussing winner's program/issue of choice. As a non-finalist, this year's Miss Maryland earned more scholarships as a competitor at Miss America than the 2nd runner up to Miss America.
1997Jaime FoxFrederick21Miss Prince George's CountyVocal, "With One Look" from Sunset Boulevard
1996Susan Elizabeth AlexanderSilver Spring24Miss LanhamVocal, "Sing Me"
1995Marcia GriffithFort Washington23Miss Federal CityLyrical Ballet, "Somewhere"
1994Karissa Brooke JonesHagerstown23Miss Western MarylandBallet en Pointe, "The Can-Can"
1993Renee ColeBowie22Miss Northwest MarylandVocal, "The Star-Spangled Banner"
1992Tammy WyattClinton26Miss TowsonVocal, "Stuff Like That There"
1991Debra Renea FriesWaldorf26Miss TidewaterBaton Twirling, "Hooked on America"Preliminary Talent Award

Non-finalist Talent Award
1990Kimberly Ann GrimmMountain Lake Park20Miss Allegany CountyVocal, "One, Two, Three Say You Love Me"
1989Virginia ChaFrederick25Miss FrederickClassical Piano, "Étude Op. 25, No. 1" by Chopin1st runner-up
1988Lori Ann WindsorMount Airy20Miss Bel AirDance / Baton Twirling
1987Tamara WalkerKingsville21Miss Montgomery CountyVocal, "Don't Rain on My Parade"Top 10
1986Katrina OwensPikesville24Miss Prince George's CountyJazz Dance
1985Jennifer Louise CharltonBethesda22Miss Montgomery CountyVocal / Dance, "Last Blues Song"
1984Mary Elizabeth HarothTowson25Miss TowsonVocal, "Memory" from Cats
1983Amy Elizabeth KeysLanham26Miss Howard CountyPopular Vocal, "I'll Never Love This Way Again"
1982Lynne Carol GrahamBethesda23Miss LanhamPopular Vocal, "Alfie"Mother of Miss Kentucky 2007, Kaitlynne Postel
1981Robin Harmon[29]Hagerstown24Miss Washington CountyGreek Dramatic Monologue from Antigone
1980Lisa Marie Daskal[30]Cumberland18Miss Allegany CountyVocal & DanceNon-finalist Talent Award
1979Shelly Meg PeikenGreenbelt22Miss Anne ArundelSelf-Composed Vocal, "Carry Me Home"Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1978Caroline JoAnn DonnellyCollege Park21Miss LanhamClassical Piano, "Toccata in E-flat minor" by Aram Khachaturian
1977Donna Marie SilvestriCatonsville18Miss BaltimoreModern Jazz Dance / Baton Twirling, "Gonna Fly Now"
1976Barbara Jean JenningsGreenbelt25Miss Prince George's CountyPiano, "Morceaux de fantaisie" by RachmaninoffTop 10Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship
1975Veronica Marie Clarke[31]Bel Air21Miss Greater Harford CountyPopular Vocal, "Don't Rain On My Parade"Non-finalist Talent Award
1974Susan Jane WohlfarthPotomac21Miss OlneyClassical Ballet, Giselle
1973Kristi Maurine ReindlLaVale19Miss Frostburg State CollegeTympani, "The Champ"Former mayor of O'Fallon, Illinois[citation needed]
1972Kathleen Louise NeffCumberland21Miss Frostburg State CollegeDramatic Soliloquy, "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You" from The King and ITop 10
1971Joan Michele EhrgottAvondale21Miss Prince George's CountyVocal / Dance, "If My Friends Could See Me Now"
1970Sharon Anne CannonSalisbury21Miss AnnendalePiano, "Elephant Walk"
1969Margaret Elaine MackleCecilton21Miss BeltsvilleDramatic Monologue
1968Karen Anne HansenCollege Park20Miss University of MarylandVocal, "Just You Wait" from My Fair Lady
1967Ingrid Christine LarsonEllicott City20Miss North Carroll CountyPiano, "Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum"Top 10
1966Linda Rita PeluzzoOxon Hill19Miss Clinton-Camp Springs/Crescent CityOriginal Monologue & AccordionNon-finalist Talent Award
1965Barbara Lynn HamiltonCollege Park19Miss Prince George's CountyVocal, "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man"
1964Sharon Rae Burlington[32]AberdeenMiss Harford CountyDid not compete; later assumed title after McCauley resigned
Donna Marie McCauleyRockville19Miss Montgomery CountyInterpretive BalletResigned after the Miss America 1965 pageant
1963Carolyn Bond WrightForest HillMiss Harford CountySketch / Ballet / Modern Jazz Dance
1962Beverly Ann SmithEssex18Miss Baltimore AreaOrgan & Piano, Warsaw ConcertoPreliminary Talent Award (tie)
1961Patricia Ann MoonBethesda18Miss BethesdaModern Jazz Dance
1960Robin Carole DavisHyattsville18Miss Prince George's CountyVocal, "I Cain't Say No"
1959Marie Lorraine TruePhoenix19Vocal / Tap Dance from The Best Things in Life Are Free
1958Mary Roberta PageBethesdaChalk Sketch
1957Nancy Elizabeth NorrisSilver SpringDramatic Monologue, "A Letter To My Parents"
1956Jeanette Louise RosensteelTimoniumVocal
1955Carol JennetteWestminsterFashion Display & Speech, "How To Pack a Suitcase"
1954Phyllis Yvonne LeftwichDundalkVocal
1953Meta Frances JusticeCrisfieldVocal, "Ave Maria"
1952Shirley Virginia HarrisonBaltimoreMonologue from Tom Sawyer
1951Georgia ReedBaltimoreVocal, "Love Is Where You Find It" from The Kissing BanditTop 10
1950Ann UriBaltimoreVocal / Piano
1949Jean CrowFashion Design
1948Juanita Melrose LookabaughCumberlandHawaiian Hula Dance & Dress Design
1947Carolyn Jean DixonVocal, "It Had to Be You"
1946Virginia MartinBaltimoreMiss BaltimoreMultiple Maryland representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Dorothy CrockettMiss MarylandOriginal Poetry Recitation
1945Virginia Lee Van SantCumberlandVocal, "Ain't Misbehavin'"Top 13
1944Audrey KlingenbergBaltimore
1943Shirlee O'ConnellMiss BaltimoreMultiple Maryland representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Lillian Marlene HuberMiss Maryland
1942Bettye Mitchell
1941Penny Malone
1940Marie Beiser
1939Elaine PasquallaCrisfield
1938Yolanda UgarteBaltimore
1937May Vivian MillerMiss BaltimoreMultiple Maryland representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Margaret MyersRock HallMiss Eastern Shores
1936Anne Margaret KaneBaltimoreMiss BaltimoreMultiple Maryland representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Ethel HollandBerlinMiss Maryland
1935Frances StineBaltimoreMiss BaltimoreTop 12No Miss Maryland

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1934>No national pageant was held[33]>
1933Dorothy Dennis16N/A[34]
1932>No national pageants were held[33]>
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927Beulah GoldsboroughMiss BaltimoreN/A[34]No Miss Maryland

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1926Mildred AdamNo Miss Maryland

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1925Thelma KrakanMultiple Maryland representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Mildred Lee PurdyMiss Frederick
Aleda Bradford CookMiss Hagerstown
1924Mary Rose KennyMiss BaltimoreMultiple Maryland representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Gretchen CarneyMiss Cumberland
1923Billie Muller[35]BaltimoreMiss BaltimoreMultiple Maryland representatives

Contestants competed under local title at national pageant
Elizabeth Catherine Steele[36]Cumberland18Miss Cumberland
1922Irma Knabe[37]BaltimoreMiss BaltimoreCompeted under local title at national pageant
1921Hazel Harris[38]Ocean CityMiss Ocean City

References