Miss Idaho USA facts for kids

The Miss Idaho USA pageant is a competition held each year to choose a young woman to represent the state of Idaho at the national Miss USA pageant. The winner of this competition earns the title of Miss Idaho USA. Since 2007, the pageant has been organized by Pageants NW Productions, which is based in Puyallup, Washington.

Idaho has had several successful contestants at the Miss USA pageant. The first time Idaho placed in the competition was in 1964 with Dorothy Johnson. She was the first African-American semi-finalist in the pageant's history.

Another big moment for Idaho was in 1997 when Brandi Sherwood placed as the first runner-up. Brandi had previously been crowned Miss Idaho Teen USA and even Miss Teen USA in 1989. She later made history by becoming the first person to hold both the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titles. This happened when the Miss USA winner, Brook Lee, became Miss Universe, and Brandi took over the Miss USA title. Brandi Sherwood also became a model on the TV game show The Price Is Right.

In 2004, Kimberly Glyn Weible, who was Miss Idaho Teen USA 1999, made it into the Top 10 at Miss USA. Later, in 2009, Melissa Weber placed in the Top 15.

Idaho is tied with North Carolina for having the most former Miss Teen USA contestants from the same state compete in the Miss USA pageant. Ten young women from Idaho who were once Miss Idaho Teen USA have gone on to compete for Miss Idaho USA. Also, three of these women have competed in the Miss America pageant.

Kaitlyn Widmyer from Coeur d'Alene was crowned Miss Idaho USA 2024 on June 23, 2024. She represented Idaho at the Miss USA 2024 pageant.

Meet the Past Winners: A Gallery

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  Lori Otter, Miss Idaho USA 1991

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  Elizabeth Prelogar, Miss Idaho USA 2001 and Miss Idaho Teen USA 1998

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  Kimberly Weible (right), Miss Idaho USA 2004

Idaho's Achievements at Miss USA

Top Placements

Idaho has had 5 contestants place at the Miss USA pageant:

• 1st Runner-Up: Brandi Sherwood (1997), Kim Layne (2020)
• Top 10: Kimberly Weible (2004)
• Top 15: Dorothy Johnson (1964), Melissa Weber (2009)

Special Awards

• Miss Congeniality: Sandra Baldwin (1967) (This award is given to the contestant who is voted the most friendly and helpful by her fellow competitors.)

List of Miss Idaho USA Titleholders

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