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.

Evelyn Smith was crowned Miss District of Columbia 2026 on June 27, 2026, at UDC Theatre of the Arts in Washington, D.C. She competed for the title of Miss America 2027 on September 6, 2026, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Gallery of past titleholders

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), Evelyn Smith (2027) 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) Preliminary Evening Gown: Katie Wadman (2026) Preliminary Fitness: Evelyn Smith (2027)

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), Katie Ann Powell (2025) 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

Year Name Hometown AgeLocal Title Talent Placement at Miss America Special scholarships at Miss America Notes2026Evelyn SmithOklahoma City, Oklahoma25Miss DuPont CircleJazz Dance4th runner-upPreliminary FitnessPreviously Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen 2017Top 9 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2018 2025 Katie Wadman Logan Circle 24 Miss Logan Circle Dance Preliminary Evening Gown AwardPreviously Miss Iowa USA 2021 2024 Katie Ann Powell Sandy, Utah 26 Miss Penn Quarter Harp, "Baroque Flamenco" Most Inspirational/Miss Congeniality Award 2023 Jude Maboné Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 27 Miss Rock Creek Park Classical Vocal 2022 Alivia RobertsShannon, Mississippi26Miss Embassy RowBallet en Pointe2021Andolyn MedinaChesapeake, Virginia25VocalTop 10Jean Bartel Military Awareness ScholarshipTop Fundraiser 5th PlacePreviously Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2012Top 10 and Preliminary Evening Gown/OSQ at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2013Previously District of Columbia Sweetheart 20193rd runner up at National Sweetheart 2019 pageantCurrently an officer in the United States Navy2019–2020 Katelynne Cox Camas, Washington 24 Vocal Women in Business Scholarship Finalist Previously Miss Missouri 2016 within Miss Earth United States organizationTop 10 finalist at Miss Earth United States 2016 pageant2018Allison Farris Jasper, Alabama 24 Classical Piano, "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6" by Franz Liszt Top 10Quality of Life Award Finalist2017 Briana Kinsey Hoover, Alabama 24 Pop Vocal, "Born For This" 3rd runner-up Quality of Life Award FinalistSTEM Scholarship Award Eligible as a graduate student at American University2016 Cierra Jackson Columbus, Georgia 24 Gospel Vocal, "Alabaster Box" by CeCe Winans Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award Later Miss District of Columbia USA 2020Top 16 at Miss USA 2020 pageant2015 Haely Jardas Fort Myers, Florida 24 Vocal, "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift 2014 Teresa Davis Hoschton, Georgia 23 Piano, "Malagueña" 2013 Bindhu Pamarthi Washington, D.C. 23 Bollywood Dance, "Stereo Love" 2012 Allyn Rose Newburg, Maryland 24 Artistic Roller Skating, "Beat It" Previously Miss Maryland USA 2011Top 8 at Miss USA 2011 pageantLater Miss U.S. Supranational 20143rd runner-up at Miss Supranational 2014 pageant2011 Ashley Boalch Sandy Spring, Maryland 23 Vocal, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" Non-finalist Interview Award Appears on The Real Housewives of Potomac2010 Stephanie Williams Atlantic City, New Jersey 23 Vocal, "This Is My Now" Four Points Award2009 Jennifer Corey West Islip, New York 22 Operatic Vocal, "O mio babbino caro" Top 10 Contestant at National Sweetheart 2008 pageant2008 Kate Grinold Washington, D.C. 23 Contemporary Ballet Tango, "Tanguera" Top 10 2007 Shayna Rudd Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 22 Jazz Dance, "Feeling Good" Non-finalist Talent Award 2006 Kate Michael Lilburn, Georgia 24 Jazz Dance, "Fever" 2005 Shannon Schambeau San Antonio, Florida 25 Tap Dance, "My Strongest Suit" from Aida 4th runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award 2nd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2004 pageant as Miss FloridaLater Mrs. Texas America 2010Top 6 at Mrs. America 2011 under married name, Shannon Patterson2004 Therese Lizardo Watchung, New Jersey 24 Hawaiian/Tahitian Dance, "Tahitian Drums" Quality of Life Award Finalist2003 Lisa Ferris Portland, Oregon 21 Vocal, "Gimme, Gimme" from Thoroughly Modern Millie 2002 Sarah-Elizabeth Langford Atlanta, Georgia 23 Gymnastics, "Around the World" Later Miss District of Columbia USA 20052001 Marshawn Evans Arlington, Virginia 22 Rhythmic Dance Twirl, "I Will Survive" 3rd runner-up Preliminary Interview AwardPreliminary Talent Award Contestant on The Apprentice 42000 Rashida Jolley Washington, D.C. 20 Harp, "I Got Rhythm" & "Fascinating Rhythm" 1999 Toyia Taylor 24 Public Address, "Wake Up" Non-finalist Talent Award 1998 Nicole Messina Waterford, New Jersey 23 Tap Dance, "Sing, Sing, Sing" Top 10 Preliminary Talent AwardQuality of Life Award Finalist1997 Sonya Gavankar Joliet, Illinois 21 Vocal, "The Power of the Dream" 1990–1996 No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant1989 Donya Rose Washington, D.C. 22 Lyrical Jazz Ballet, "Over the Rainbow" 1988 Patricia Morrin 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, Virginia 21 Vocal, "Come Rain or Come Shine" 1986 Karen Watson 25 Classical Ballet en Pointe 1985 Cherie Ward Adelphi, Maryland 22 Original Drama 1984 Desiree Keating Silver Spring, Maryland 22 Interpretive Dance Later Miss District of Columbia USA 1986 1964–1983 No District of Columbia representative at Miss America pageant1963 Rosanne Tueller McLean, Virginia Vocal & Jazz Dance, "I Love Paris" 1st runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit AwardPreliminary Talent Award1962 Ann Verner Arlington, Virginia 19 Vocal & Guitar, "Country Boy" 1961 Scarlett Shinault Silver Spring, Maryland 20 Vocal, "I Cain't Say No" Non-finalist Talent Award 1960 Ruth Rea Chevy Chase, Maryland 18 Vocal, "A Little Brains, A Little Talent" from Damn Yankees 3rd runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award 1959 Virginia Pailes Hyattsville, Maryland 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, Virginia 20 Piano, Rhapsody in Blue 1956 Margo Lucey Colesville, Maryland 20 Dramatic Monologue & Vocal, "Autumn Leaves" 1st runner-up Later Mrs. Maryland 19804th 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 AwardPreliminary 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 titleholder1935 Helen Clum Washington, D.C. 18 Vocal & Dance, "Every Day I'll Fall In Love With You" Top 12 1934 No national pageant was held1933 Rita Burns Washington, D.C. 19 Top 18 1932 No national pageants were held 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 Gladys Cookman Washington, D.C. 1926 Marjorie Joesting Washington, D.C. 1st runner-up 1925 Abbie Eagan Washington, D.C. 1924 Helen Sweeney Washington, D.C. 1923 Margaret Gorman Washington, D.C. 18 Lorraine Bunch 1922 Margaret Gorman Washington, D.C. 17 Top 4 Evelyn C. Lewis Washington, D.C. 1921 Margaret Gorman Washington, D.C. 16 Winner Bathers' Revue AwardGolden Mermaid Trophy

Notes

References

External links

Official website