Miss USA 1954 was the third Miss USA pageant, held at Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California on July 24, 1954.
At the end of the event, Myrna Hansen of Illinois crowned Miriam Stevenson of South Carolina as Miss USA 1954. It is the first victory of South Carolina in the pageant's history. Stevenson later competed at Miss Universe and won.
Contestants from forty-five states and cities competed in this year's pageant. The competition was hosted by Bob Russell.
Background
Selection of participants Contestants from forty-five states and cities were selected to compete in the pageant. The age requirement in this edition is still from 18 to 28, where women who are married and have children can also participate. One contestant was selected to replace the original dethroned winner.
Replacements Waydine Nesbitt, runner-up to the Arkansas Maid 1954 pageant, was appointed to replace Arkansas Maid 1954 Sonya Ann McClure after giving up her crown in order to compete for the Miss Arkansas crown for Miss America.
Withdrawals Several contestants were disqualified due to being underaged. Barbara Ann Eschenburg of Maryland was discovered to be only 16 during the time of the contest, forcing her to withdraw as the minimum age limit of that time was 18. Ellen Whitehead of Virginia was also underage, but was discovered only after the contest. Initially, Ellen Whitehead of Virginia stayed as the first runner-up despite being underage since the placement was only considered as "honorary" according to the pageant officials. However, Dr. Richard Eschenburg, the father of Miss Maryland USA, complained to the officials as to why his daughter was disqualified for being underage while Whitehead was not; despite being underage. Whitehead was later disqualified by the pageant officials and was replaced by Karin Hultman of New York.
Elaine DuFeen of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was expected to compete in this edition. However, DuFeen dropped out of the pageant because another girl was chosen to represent her state and thought she wouldn't get an equal chance at the competition.
Placements
Placements Placement Contestant Miss USA 1954South Carolina – Miriam Stevenson 1st runner-upVirginia – Ellen Whitehead (disqualified)New York – Karin Hultman(assumed position) 2nd runner-up New York City – Renee Roy(formerly third runner-up) 3rd runner-upTexas – Betty Lee(formerly fourth runner-up) 4th runner-upIllinois – Celeste Ravel(assumed position) Top 21Arkansas – Waydine Nesbitt California – Sandra Lea Constance Connecticut – Andrea Todd District of Columbia – Laura Farley Indiana – Cecilia Ann Dennis Iowa – Ione Lukens Maryland – Barbara Ann Eschenburg Memphis – Janice Beverly Bowles Minnesota – Dawn Joyce Missouri – Alice Jean Porritt Montana – Dawn Oney Nebraska – Margie Winkhoff New Jersey – Evelyn Orowitz Ohio – Barbara Joyce Randa Wisconsin – Rita Dolores Younger
Pageant
Format From twenty semi-finalists in 1953, twenty-one semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the twenty semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast. Afterwards, the twenty semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen.
Contestants Forty-five contestants competed for the title. State/CityContestantAgeHometownNotesArizonaBonnie Johnson18PhoenixArkansasWaydine Nesbitt21MagnoliaCaliforniaSandra Constance18Los AngelesColoradoLorna Batterson 19DenverConnecticutAndrea Todd22MilfordDistrict of ColumbiaLaura Farley21Washington, D.C.FloridaRosemary Talucci22Miami BeachFront Royal, VirginiaCarol Hammack–Front RoyalIllinoisCeleste Ravel23ChicagoIndianaCecilia Dennis20MilanIowaIone Lukens–Le MarsKansasSue Ravenscroft 18 LiberalKentuckyNikki Horner28ProspectLouisianaSadie Vinson18New OrleansFinalist in the 1955 Miss Dixie PageantMarylandBarbara Ann Eschenburg16BerlinLater disqualified for being underageMassachusettsNan Cowan–SterlingMemphis, TennesseeJanice Beverly Bowles18MemphisMichiganGerri Hoffman22DetroitMinnesotaDawn Joyce20MinneapolisMissouriAlice Jean Porritt19Cape GirardeauMontana Dawn Oney22BillingsNebraskaMargie Winkhoff–Grand IslandNevadaMary Jane Arnold18Las VegasNew HampshireMyrna Louise Smith18–New JerseyEvelyn Orowitz20CollingswoodNew YorkKarin Hultman22New York CityBecame 1st runner-up after Miss Virginia USA was disqualified.Later became Miss World United States 19541st runner-up at Miss World 1954New York City, New YorkRenee Roy23New York CityNorth CarolinaAnn Pickett22CharlotteNorth DakotaJane Hewitt19FargoOhioBarbara Randa19PainesvilleOregonCharlotte Miller18ToledoPennsylvaniaHelen Vidovich18Beaver ValleyPleasure Beach, ConnecticutViolet Fuchs––Rhode IslandJoyce Anne Sandberg21WarwickPreviously Miss Rhode Island 1953As wife of Philip Noel, served as the First Lady of Rhode Island from 1973 to 1977.South CarolinaMiriam Jacqueline Stevenson20WinnsboroMiss Universe 1954Previously Miss South Carolina 1953Top 10 at Miss America 1954South DakotaBarbara Ann Brown––St. Louis, MissouriJo Ann Lynde––TennesseeBarbara Holly21NashvilleTexasBetty Lee20HoustonUtahLaverna Laub22Salt Lake CityVermontGeorgia Laurise24New HavenVirginiaEllen Whitehead17ChathamLater disqualified due to being underageWashingtonDarlene Shride––West VirginiaSandra Waggy––WisconsinRita Delores Younger21BarabooWyomingFaith RadenbaughHeart Mountain
Notes
References
External links Official website