The Miss Rhode Island Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Rhode Island in the Miss Teen USA pageant and the name of the title held by that winner.
Rhode Island has placed eight times at the Miss Teen USA Pageant, most recently in 2024 when Carissa Tillinghast made the top 20. The state's first finalist was Shaelyn McNally in 2006. One of those semi-finalists was Shanna Moakler, who would later win the Miss New York USA pageant and take over the Miss USA 1995 title when Chelsi Smith won Miss Universe 1995.
Other notable Miss Rhode Island Teen USAs are: Claudia Jordan - was also Miss Rhode Island USA 1997 and has appeared on The Price Is Right, Deal or No Deal and The Real Housewives of Atlanta Gina Tognoni - known for her portrayal of Kelly Cramer on the soap opera One Life to Live from 1995 to 2001. She then portrayed the role of Phyllis Summers on the soap The Young and the Restless from 2014 to 2019.
Sienna Tandon of Johnston was crowned Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2026 on July 19, 2026, at Uptown Theater in Providence. She will represent Rhode Island at Miss Teen USA 2026.
Gallery of titleholders
Results summary
Placements Top 10: Alysha Castonguay (2002), Shaelyn McNally (2006), Rochelle Rose (2007) Top 12: Gina Tognoni (1991), Shanna Moakler (1992) Top 15: Talia Turco (2009) Top 20: Lola Paolissi (2023), Carissa Tillinghast (2024) Rhode Island holds a record of 8 placements at the Miss Teen USA.
Awards Miss Photogenic: Raye-Anne Johnson (1987 - tie), Gina Tognoni (1991) Miss Congeniality: Malia Cruz (2016), Alexa Papigiotis (2017)
Winners
Year Name HometownAge1 Local title Placement at Miss Teen USA Special awards at Miss Teen USA Notes 2026 Sienna Tandon Johnston TBA Miss Hope Teen 2025 Reyana Ahern Warwick 16 Miss Norwood Teen 2024 Carissa Tillinghast Warwick 19 Miss Warwick Teen Top 20 2023 Lola Paolissi Cranston 16 Top 20 Later Miss Rhode Island Teen Volunteer 2026 4th runner-up at Miss Teen Volunteer America 2027 2022 Julia Potts Richmond 18 2021 Sydney Jaiswal Cranston 17 2020 Sofia Ledoux Cranston 162019Olivia Volpe Cranston18 2018 Aliyah Moore Pawtucket 17 2017 Alexa PapigiotisNorth Providence 18 Miss Congeniality 2016 Malia Cruz Warwick 18 Miss Congeniality 2015 Mary Malloy Cumberland 17 Later Miss Rhode Island USA 2023 2014 Gabriella Maggiacomo Hope 17 2013 Elaine ColladoProvidence 18 Later Miss Rhode Island USA 2022 2012 Livia Stencel Warwick 16 2011 Lindsey Bucci Scituate 18 2010 Erica Wright Narragansett 18 2009 Talia Turco Lincoln 18 Top 15 2008 Tiondra Martinez Woonsocket 17 2007 Rochelle Rose Cranston 15 Top 10 2006 Shaelyn McNallyLincoln 18 Top 10 2005 Dominique Lee Westerly 17 2004 Melissa Landry Charlestown 16 2003 Kristina Primavera Cranston 16 Later Miss Rhode Island USA 2010 2002 Alysha CastonguayWoonsocket 16 Top 10 Later Miss Rhode Island USA 2009 (also Miss Teen America 2003 & Miss Teen Galaxy 2005); New England Patriots Cheerleader (2006–2008) 2001 Amy DiazProvidence 16 Later Miss Rhode Island USA 2008, Top 15 at Miss USA 2008. Winner of The Amazing Race 23 with her husband Jason. 2000 Sienna PiccioneCranston 17 1999 Jodi Fournier Burrillville 18 1998 Kristen LunebergLincoln 17 Later Miss North Carolina USA 2003 1997 Lauren AlvitiCranston 18 1996 Kelly Dutra Tiverton 17 1995 Carol PedrosoWarwick 18 1994 Nicole ColettiCranston 17 1993 Alisha Currier North Kingstown 19 1992 Shanna Moakler Barrington 16 Top 12 Later Miss New York USA 1995 Miss USA 1995, Miss Teen All American 1992; actress & reality television star; Current director of the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Nevada Teen USA pageants. Previous co-director of the Miss California USA & Miss California Teen USA pageants 1991 Gina Tognoni Bristol 17 Top 12 Miss Photogenic 1990 Claudia Jordan East Providence 16 Later Miss Rhode Island USA 1997, Top 10 at Miss USA 1997 Suitcase model on Deal or No Deal, cast member on season 7 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta 1989 Deborah "Deb" Hodges East Greenwich 17 1988 Debbie Rae Peters North Providence 18 1987 Raye-Anne Johnson Wakefield 16 Miss Photogenic - tie Later Miss Rhode Island USA 1994 1986 Corrine "Lori" DamianiCranston 18 1985 Chris PavalliWarwick 18 1984 Jennifer AmorosoNarragansett 17 Later known by stage name Gianna Amore 1983 Melissa SciarraWarwick 16 1 Age at the time of the Miss Teen USA pageant
References
External links
2016 Miss Rhode Island USA/Miss Rhode Island Teen USA Pageant Miss Rhode Island Teen USA Hall of Fame