Miss USA 1953 was the second Miss USA pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California on July 16, 1953.
At the end of the event, Jackie Loughery of New York crowned Myrna Hansen of Illinois as Miss USA 1953. It is the first victory of Illinois in the pageant's history.
Contestants from forty-three states and cities competed in this year's pageant. The competition was hosted by Bob Russell.
Background
Selection of participants Contestants from forty-three states and cities have been selected to compete in the competition. The age requirement in this edition is still from 18 to 28, where women who are married and have children can also participate.
Jeanne Vaughn Thompson of Louisiana, who competed last year and placed as first runner-up, competed once again in this edition, making her the first contestant from Miss USA who competed twice.
This edition saw the debuts of Iowa, Maryland, Miami, Myrtle Beach, Nebraska, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The states of Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Tennessee withdrew in this edition.
Results
Placements PlacementContestant Miss USA 1953Illinois – Myrna Hansen 1st runner-upMyrtle Beach, South Carolina – Mary Kemp Griffin 2nd runner-upAlabama – Doris Edwards 3rd runner-upWashington – Nancy Petraborg 4th runner-upUtah – Shauna Wood Top 20California – Marcella Roulette Colorado – Jeanie Carroll Iowa – Marilyn Shonka Kentucky – Mary Ann Stice Louisiana – Jeanne Thompson Maine – Jackie Lee Miami Beach, Florida – Kay Duggar Minnesota – Mary Ann Papke Nebraska – Berneta Nelson Nevada – Earlene Whitt New York – Reta Knapp Ohio – Eleanor Mack Pennsylvania – Jeri Bauer South Carolina – Susan Day Texas – Joan Bradshaw
Special awards Award Contestant Miss CongenialityLouisiana – Jeanne Vaughn ThompsonMiss Body BeautifulKentucky – Mary Stice
Pageant
Format From ten semi-finalists in 1952, twenty 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.
Selection committee Jeff Chandler – American actor Rhonda Fleming – American actress and singer Arlene Dahl – American actress Constance Moore – American actress and singer Buddy Westmore – American moviemaker Varga – Artist Contestants Forty-three contestants competed for the title. State/CityContestantAgeHometownNotesAlabamaDoris Edwards25BirminghamArizonaEleanor Ruth Cross19ChandlerArkansasJackie Stucker19West HelenaCaliforniaMarcella Roulette21Los AngelesColoradoJeanie Carroll18DenverConnecticutBeverlee Burlant21BridgeportPreviously Miss Connecticut 1951IdahoPatricia Carter18BoiseIllinoisMyrna Rae Hansen17Chicago1st runner-up at Miss Universe 1953IndianaEdith Mae Krumme19SeymourIowaMarilyn Shonka18Sioux CityKentuckyMary Stice19PaducahLouisianaJeanne Vaughn Thompson21Baton RougePreviously Miss Louisiana USA 1952Placed 1st runner-up at Miss USA 1952Previously Miss Louisiana 1951MaineJackie Lee22Cape NeddickMarylandDiane Gale Durham22Silver SpringMassachusettsJoan Daly20SomervilleMiami Beach, FloridaKay Duggar21MiamiMichiganJo Ann Page20DetroitMinnesotaMary Ann Papke20MinneapolisMississippiJessie Wynn Morgan20NewtonPreviously Miss Mississippi 1951Top 15 at Miss America 1952MissouriDonna Gardner18PortagevilleMontanaBillie Jean Tyrell21BillingsMyrtle Beach, South CarolinaMary Kemp Griffin23FlorenceLater represented the USA at Miss World 1953 and placed 5th runner-upNebraskaBerneta Nelson20Clay CenterNevadaEarlene Whitt18Las VegasNew HampshireMuriel Roy24NashuaNew JerseySusan Ruth Harris18HaddonfieldNew YorkReta Knapp23New York CityNorth CarolinaLibby Walker–WiltonNorth DakotaMarilyn Caufield19JamestownOhioEleanore Mack20BellaireOklahomaBarbara Bond21Oklahoma CityPennsylvaniaJeri Hauer27HatboroRhode IslandBarbara Rose Deigman20ProvidenceSouth CarolinaSusan Anthony Day18GreenvilleSouth DakotaKathleen Herman18BowdleTexasJoan Bradshaw17HoustonUtahShauna Wood22Salt Lake CityVermontKathleen Marie Eugenia Surrel22Brooklyn, New York CityVirginiaDorothy Lee Bailey21NorfolkWashingtonNancy Petraborg18SeattleWest VirginiaFay Higley18South CharlestonWisconsinJacque Kimmel24MilwaukeeWyomingNancy Rogers–Cheyenne
Notes
References
External links Miss USA official website