Miss Arkansas USA

Miss Arkansas USA
Formation1952
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersShawnee
LocationKansas
MembersMiss USA
Official language
English
Key people
John M. Vannatta
Jason Vannatta
Jennifer Vannatta-Fisher
WebsiteOfficial website

Miss Arkansas USA, previously known as Miss Arkansas Universe, is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arkansas in the Miss USA pageant, and the name of the title held by that winner. The pageant is directed by Vanbros and Associates.

Arkansas's most successful placement was in 1982, when Terri Utley was crowned Miss USA. The most recent placement was Olivia Halsey in 2025 who placed in the Top 20. Nine Miss Arkansas USA titleholders were former Miss Arkansas Teen USA titleholders who competed at Miss Teen USA. The longest reigning titleholder was Haley Rose Pontius in 2020, having held the title for 18 months, while the shortest titleholder was Stephanie Barber in 2021, having held the title for 10 months and 18 days.

The state pageant was directed by Premier Pageants from 2002 to 2007 before becoming part of the Vanbros organization, headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas. In 2018, Vanbros chose Fort Smith, Arkansas as the new host city of the pageant. Other host cities for the pageant have included Bentonville, Little Rock, Magnolia, and West Memphis.

The current Miss Arkansas USA is Anna Claire Hay of Fayetteville who was crowned on May 3, 2026, at The Center for the Arts in Russellville. She will represent Arkansas at Miss USA 2026.

Results summary

Placements

Arkansas holds a record of 16 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

Winners

Color key
Year Name Hometown Age Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes
2026 Anna Claire Hay Fayetteville 22 Miss Razorback
2025 Olivia Halsey Jonesboro 25 Miss West Little Rock Top 20
2024 Madeline Bohlman Fayetteville 22 Miss Northwest Arkansas Miss Congeniality
2023 Mackenzie Elizabeth Hinderberger Farmington 23 Miss Farmington Top 20
2022 Rylie Wagner Ozark 21 Miss Ozark
2021 Stephanie Barber Fayetteville 22 Miss Northwest Arkansas
  • Shortest reigning Miss Arkansas USA
2020 Haley Rose Pontius Houston 23 Miss Richland Hills
  • Previously Miss Teen International 2013 and IJM International Miss 2017
  • Longest reigning Miss Arkansas USA
2019 Savannah Jera Skidmore Calico Rock 23 Miss White River Top 5
2018 Lauren Ashton Weaver Greenwood 21 Miss Greenwood
2017 Arynn Nicole Johnson Hot Springs 19 Miss Hot Springs
2016 Abby Elizabeth Floyd Searcy 19 Miss Searcy Top 10
2015 Leah Michele Blefko Fayetteville 21 Miss White River
2014 Helen Elizabeth Wisner Fayetteville 25 Miss White River
2013 Hannah Love Billingsley Franklin 22 Miss North Arkansas
2012 Kelsey Rhea Dow Jonesboro 21 Miss Craighead County Top 16
2011 Courtney Lakynn McBride White Hall 20 Miss Central Arkansas
2010 Adrielle Lynn Churchill Dover 24 Miss White River Top 15
2009 Chanley Shá Painter[citation needed] Conway 24 Miss Conway Top 10
2008 Rachel Dianne Howells Alma 21 Miss Washington County
2007 Kelly George Sherwood 24
2006 Kimberly Forsyth Cabot 26
2005 Jessica Furrer Conway 22 Top 15
2004 Jennifer DeAnn Sherrill Sherwood 19 Miss Photogenic
2003 Taylor Marie Carlisle Jacksonville 21
2002 Amber Nicole Boatman Norphlet 23
2001 Jessie Davis Harrison
2000 Whitney Lea Moore Cabot 22
1999 Allison Nicole Heavener Batesville 22
1998 Kami Mikhael Tice Huntsville 21
  • First runner-up at Miss Arkansas USA 1997
1997 Tamara Henry Little Rock 25
1996 Tiffany Brooke Parks Cabot 20 Miss Boston Mountain
1995 Kristen Bettis
1994 Hannah Hillyard Little Rock
1993 Katherine Leigh "Kati" Fish Hot Springs
1992 Jona Garner
1991 Angela Rockwell
1990 Kathryn Grace Harris Pine Bluff 18
1989 Paige Ann Yandell Greenwood
1988 Melissa Anne Staples Calion 20
1987 Sheri Donette Smeltzer Smackover 23
1986 Rhonda Blaylock Springdale 22
1985 Susan Caroline Dean Osceola 23
1984 Michelle A. "Shelly" Boyd Manila 21
  • Second runner-up at Miss Arkansas USA 1983
1983 Debra "Debbie" Baltz Paris 23
1982 Leanne Derryberry Jerusalem did not compete
  • Originally first runner-up, assumed the title when Terri Utley won Miss USA
  • Twin sister of Lynnanne Derryberry, Miss Arkansas USA 1981
Terri Lea Utley Cabot 20 Miss USA 1982
  • Third runner-up at Miss Arkansas USA 1981
1981 Lynnanne Derryberry Jerusalem 18
1980 Susie Owens Jacksonville 21
1979 Cynthia LaFran Caldwell Jacksonville 21
1978 Donna Funderburk El Dorado 22
1977 Debra Lynn Duree Texarkana
1976 Sonia Kay Jines Conway
1975 Robin Fields Hot Springs 18
1974 Gina Huddle
1973 Christal Phiffer Texarkana
1972 Susan Tichenor Pine Bluff 21
1971 Paula Keith Little Rock 20
1970 Mary Jane Dial Malvern 21 Top 15
1969 Leonette Reed Heber Springs
1968 Ann Smithwick Jacksonville 19 Top 15 Top 15 Best in Swimsuit
1967 Katy Lou Wurst Fort Smith 19
1966 Peggy Jean Jones Green Forest
1965 Jeri Haynie El Dorado
1964 Barbara McGlothlin
1963 Cheryl Jane Bechtelheimer Camden
  • 2nd runner up at Miss American Beauty 1964 (Title for US Rep to Miss International pageant)
1962 Linda Riggan Leola
1961 Mickey Lambert
1960 Gene Chambers Danville
1959 Donna Sue Needham Berryville 19 Top 15
1958 Nancy Hill Little Rock 19
1957 Helen Elizabeth Garrott West Memphis 19 Top 15
1956 Nancy McCollum Stuttgart 19 2nd Runner-Up
1955 Margaret Anne Haywood Jonesboro 19 1st Runner-Up
1954 Waydine Nesbitt Magnolia 21 Top 21
1953 Jackie Stucker West Helena 19
1952 Barbara Wathen Jonesboro 20

Notes

  1. ↑ Age at the time of the crowning

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Pageant Winners". Hope Star. April 3, 1973. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "March 24". The Courier News. March 24, 1969. p. 1. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Prudenti, Richard Dean (April 25, 2007). "Pageant Company Selects Bentonville For Events". The Morning News. Retrieved April 26, 2007.[permanent dead link]
  4. 1 2 3 "To Perform". El Dorado Daily News. April 4, 1967. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Named at ASU". Northwest Arkansas Times. May 6, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Miss Universe for State to Be Named". Northwest Arkansas Times. February 18, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "To Perform". El Dorado Daily News. April 4, 1967. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Named at ASU". Northwest Arkansas Times. May 6, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Miss Universe for State to Be Named". Northwest Arkansas Times. February 18, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Christman, Jennifer (November 25, 2018). "PAPER TRAILS: Former Miss Arkansas wins Miss Arkansas USA crown". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  11. ↑ "New Miss Arkansas named after Shields wins Miss America". Arkansas Online. September 12, 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 Rolf, Carol (December 13, 2015). "Searcy woman named Miss Arkansas USA". Arkansas Online. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  13. ↑ Michaud, Sarah; Tracy, Brianne (October 21, 2017). "Dan + Shay's Shay Mooney Marries Hannah Billingsley — All the Wedding Details!". People Magazine.
  14. ↑ "Fayetteville woman crowned Miss Arkansas". Times Record. July 15, 1991. p. 5. Retrieved July 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Calion beauty crowned Miss Arkansas USA". Batesville Guard. November 2, 1987. p. 3. Retrieved July 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Local girl places in Miss Teen pageant". Batesville Guard. December 12, 1983. p. 3. Retrieved July 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Pageant Contestants Arrive". Albuquerque Journal. January 25, 1987. p. 1. Retrieved October 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Pageant winner crowned". Times Record. July 16, 1984. p. 5. Retrieved July 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Young Fort Smith woman wins Miss Arkansas title". Baxter Bulletin. July 14, 1986. p. 3. Retrieved July 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "Runner-up wins beauty pageant". Baxter Bulletin. January 9, 1984. p. 5. Retrieved July 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "Arkansas Tech Coed State Pageant Winner". The Commercial Appeal. December 6, 1982. p. 20. Retrieved May 5, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. 1 2 Coghlan, Curtis (May 14, 1982). "Miss Arkansas Crowned Miss USA". The Daily Journal. p. 4. Retrieved May 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. 1 2 "Mid-South Scene: Teen-Ager Wins Pageant". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. March 26, 1981. p. 18. Retrieved May 5, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "21-year-old picked". Times Record. January 9, 1979. p. 11. Retrieved July 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. 1 2 3 Associated Press (April 17, 1972). "Miss Arkansas Universe named". Hope Star. p. 6. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. 1 2 3 "Shorts". The Camden News. May 11, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. 1 2 3 "Arkansas Beauty". Northwest Arkansas Times. May 1, 1970. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ "SWIMSUIT WINNERS". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. May 16, 1968. p. 62. Retrieved October 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. 1 2 "UA Freshman Places Second in Contest". Northwest Arkansas Times. May 1, 1967. p. 8. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. 1 2 3 "Magnolia Girl Wins Contest". Hope Star. May 1, 1967. p. 1. Retrieved August 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ "DIXIE BEAUTIES IN MIAMI". Birmingham Post-Herald. July 12, 1963. p. 7. Retrieved October 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ "Clergyman's daughter may be Miss Universe". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. July 19, 1956. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ "Pick Finalists for Miss USA". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 22, 1954. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  34. 1 2 3 "Gives Up Title, Seeks New Crown". Tulsa Daily World. June 24, 1954. Retrieved April 22, 2023.