Miss US Virgin Islands
{{Short description|Beauty contest}}
{{distinguish|Miss British Virgin Islands|Miss Virgin Islands}}
{{pp-sock|small=yes}}
{{Infobox organization
|name = Miss US Virgin Islands Organization
|formation = {{start date and age|1956}}
|type = Beauty pageant
|headquarters = Charlotte Amalie
|location = United States Virgin Islands
|membership =
| affiliations={{Hlist|Miss Universe|Miss World|Miss International|Miss Earth|Miss Supranational|Miss Cosmo}}
|language = English
|leader_title = National Director
|leader_name = Jaielean Jagrup{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
|website = {{URL|https://missuniverseunitedstatesvirginislands.com/}}
}}
File:Aniska Tonge, Miss U.S Virgin Islands.jpg
Miss US Virgin Islands is a beauty pageant in the US Virgin Islands.
History
Between 1961 and 1978, the National Committee of Virgin Islands celebrated Miss Virgin Islands contest, in which the grand winners competed at the Miss Universe and other beauty pageants. Beginning in 1979, the official name changed to Miss US Virgin Islands.
Franchise ownership and extended history
The Miss US Virgin Islands competition began in 1956 when Miriam Edna Golden was crowned as the first Miss Virgin Islands in June 1956 (sponsored by Virgin Islands Hotel Association.) In 1961 was the second edition of Miss Virgin Islands, which saw the first international delegate Priscilla Bonilla representing the territory at Miss Universe 1961 in the United States. The pageant was then owned by Sam King (Owner of Pan American Finishing School) and the US Virgin Islands Carnival Committee. In franchise history, Cherrie Raphaelia Creque has been the only Miss Universe US Virgin Islands to place in the Top 12 at Miss Universe. The only other international pageant finalist from the US Virgin Islands has been Esonica Veira of St. Thomas, who was awarded 4th Runner up in The Miss Supranational in Minsk, Belarus in September 2013.
Through the 1990s, franchise ownership of the Miss US Virgin Islands title belonged to The Lions Club of St. Thomas and also to Debra Gottlieb; a local staple in pageantry.{{cite book|title=Queen of the Virgins: Pageantry and Black Womanhood in the Caribbean|jstor=j.ctt2tvbj8|last1=Oliver |first1=M. Cynthia |year=2009 |publisher=University Press of Mississippi |isbn=9781604732429 }}
Titleholders
{{Refimprove|section|date=January 2024}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center"
!width="60"|Year | width="250"|Miss US Virgin Islands | width="250"|Notes |
| colspan="3" | Miss Virgin Islands | ||
| 1956
| Miriam Edna Golden | {{n/a|Semifinalist at Miss United States}} | ||
| 1961
| Priscila Bonilla | {{n/a|1st Runner-up Miss St Croix. Sam King purchased Miss Universe franchise for USVI}} | ||
| 1962
| Juanita Monell Poblete | | ||
| 1967
| Gail Garrison | | ||
| 1968
| Elodie Sadie Sargeant{{cite web|title=argeant-Winter remembered for strength & humour|url=http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/update-sargeant-winter-remembered-for-strength-humour|access-date=27 April 2013}} | {{n/a|Virgin Islands Festival Queen 1967}} | ||
| 1971
| Cherrie Raphaelia Creque | {{n/a|Miss Cariba 1971}} | ||
| 1972
| Carol Krieger | | ||
| 1973
| Cindy Richards | | ||
| 1974
| Thelma Yvonne Santiago | | ||
| 1975
| Julia Florencia Wallace | | ||
| 1976
| Lorraine Patricia Baa | | ||
| 1977
| Denise Naomi George | | ||
| 1978
| Barbara Henderson | | ||
| colspan="3" | Miss US Virgin Islands | ||
| 1979
| Linda Torres | | ||
| 1980
| Deborah Velisa Mardenborough | | ||
| 1981
| | ||
| 1982
| Ingerborg Hendricks | | ||
| 1983
| Julie Elizabeth Woods | | ||
| 1984
| Patricia Maria Graham | | ||
| 1985
| Mudite Alda Henderson | | ||
| 1986
| Jasmine Olivia Turner | | ||
| 1987
| Feliza Ramone Bencosme | | ||
| 1988
| Heather Carty | | ||
| 1989
| Nathalie Lynch | | ||
| 1991
| Monique Lindesay | {{n/a|The Lions Club of St. Thomas held the Miss US Virgin Islands — Debra Gottlieb, Helen Hart, Denise Green Directorship}} | ||
| 1992
| Cathy-Mae Sitaram | | ||
| 1993
| Sheryl Simpson | | ||
| 1995
| Kim Marie Ann Boschulte | | ||
| 1997
| Vania Thomas | | ||
| 1998
| Leah Webster | | ||
| 1999
| Sherece Shurmain Smith | {{n/a|Miss US Virgin Islands "The Essence of the Caribbean", held at Wyndham Sugar Resorts, St. Thomas}} | ||
| 2001
| Lisa Hasseba Wynne | | ||
| 2002
| Merlisa Rhonda George | | ||
| 2005
| Tricia Homer | | ||
| 2006
| JeT’aime Cerge Grant | | ||
| 2007
| Renata Christian | {{n/a|Sponsored by Department of Tourism}} | ||
| 2010
| Janeisha John | | ||
| 2011
| Alexandrya Evans | | ||
| 2014
| Angela Gabriel | {{n/a|Did not compete at Miss Universe 2014 due to injury.}} | ||
| 2016
| Carolyn Carter{{cn|date=November 2024}} | {{n/a|Tom Youth from US Ventures LLC. Directorship}} | ||
| 2017
| {{n/a|Lulu Orange Tyson Directorship}} | ||
| 2018
| Aniska Tonge | | ||
| 2019
| Andrea Piecuch | |
Representatives at Big Four international pageants
= Miss Universe US Virgin Islands =
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared the Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Finished as a special awards winner
}}
::The winner of Miss US Virgin Islands represents the U.S territory at the Miss Universe. Between 1961 and 1978 Miss Virgin Islands winners went to Miss Universe with a Virgin Islands sash before a constitutional referendum was declared. On March 6, 1979 the queen was officially referred to as Miss U.S Virgin Islands. The Miss US Virgin Islands represents the islands to Miss Universe. The celebration of Miss US Virgin Islands was not held in 2000, 2003-2004, 2008-2009, 2012-2013, and in 2015. It made a return in 2016.
| class="wikitable " style="font-size: 90%;"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss US Virgin Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss Universe !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
| 2025
| colspan=5 {{TBA}} |
| 2024
| Stephany Andujar | Unplaced | | |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2020—2023}} |
| 2019
| Andrea Piecuch | Unplaced | | |
| 2018
| Aniska Tonge | Unplaced | | |
| 2017
| Unplaced | | Lulu Orange Tyson directorship — Esonica was 4th Runner-up at Miss Supranational 2013 and Top 15 at Miss World 2011. |
| 2016
| Unplaced | align="left"|
| Tom Youth from US Ventures LLC. directorship. |
| 2015
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 2014
| Angela Gabriel | colspan=2 {{n/a|Did not compete}} | Gabriel was set to fly to Florida to compete at Miss Universe but withdrew after she suffered an arm injury. |
| colspan=5 {{n/a| Did not compete between 2012—2013}} |
| 2011
| Alexandrya Evans | Unplaced | | |
| 2010
| Janeisha John | Unplaced | | |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2008—2009}} |
| 2007
| Renata Christian | Unplaced | | Sponsored by Department of Tourism |
| 2006
| JeT’aime Cerge Grant | Unplaced | | |
| style="background-color:#FADADD;"
| 2005 | Tricia Homer | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2003—2004}} |
| style="background-color:#FADADD;"
| 2002 | Merlisa Rhonda George | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
| 2001
| Lisa Hasseba Wynne | Unplaced | | |
| 2000
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 1999
| Sherece Shurmain Smith | Unplaced | | Miss US Virgin Islands "The Essence of the Caribbean", held at Wyndham Sugar Resorts, St. Thomas. |
| 1998
| Leah Webster | Unplaced | | |
| 1997
| Vania Thomas | Unplaced | | |
| 1996
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 1995
| Kim Marie Ann Boschulte | Unplaced | | |
| 1994
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 1993
| Sheryl Simpson | Unplaced | | |
| 1992
| Cathy-Mae Sitaram | Unplaced | | |
| style="background-color:#FADADD;"
| 1991 | Monique Lindesay | Unplaced | align="left"|
| The Lions Club of St. Thomas held the Miss US Virgin Islands — Debra Gottlieb, Helen Hart, Denise Green directorship. |
| 1990
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 1989
| Nathalie Lynch | Unplaced | | |
| 1988
| Heather Carty | Unplaced | | |
| 1987
| Feliza Ramone Bencosme | Unplaced | | |
| 1986
| Jasmine Olivia Turner | Unplaced | | |
| 1985
| Mudite Alda Henderson | Unplaced | | |
| 1984
| Patricia Maria Graham | Unplaced | | |
| 1983
| Julie Elizabeth Woods | Unplaced | | |
| 1982
| Ingerborg Hendricks | Unplaced | | |
| 1981
| Marise Cecile James | Unplaced | | |
| 1980
| Deborah Velisa Mardenborough | Unplaced | | |
| 1979
| Linda Torres | Unplaced | | |
| bgcolor="#787878" align="center"
| colspan="5" |Miss Virgin Islands |
| 1978
| Barbara Henderson | Unplaced | | |
| 1977
| Denise Naomi George | Unplaced | | |
| 1976
| Lorraine Patricia Baa | Unplaced | | |
| 1975
| Julia Florencia Wallace | Unplaced | | |
| 1974
| Thelma Yvonne Santiago | Unplaced | | |
| 1973
| Cindy Richards | Unplaced | | |
| 1972
| Carol Krieger | Unplaced | | |
| style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| rowspan=2|1971 | Cherrie Raphaelia Creque | Top 12 | | |
| Utta Williams
| colspan=2 {{n/a|Did not compete}} | Utta scheduled to compete at Miss Universe but withdrew. Her runner-up, Cherrie Raphaelia Creque took over her participation. |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 1969—1970}} |
| 1968
| Unplaced | | |
| 1967
| Gail Garrison | Unplaced | | Miss Virgin Islands — Sam King (Owner of Pan American Finishing School and carnival committee). |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 1963—1966}} |
| 1962
| Juanita Monell Poblete | Unplaced | | |
| 1961
| Priscila Bonilla | Unplaced | | Sam King purchased Miss Universe franchise for Virgin Islands; Miss Virgin Islands — Virgin Islands Hotel association. |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 1957—1960}} |
| 1956
| Miriam Edna Golden | colspan=2 {{n/a|Did not compete}} | Semifinalist at Miss United States beauty pageant — The Miss V.I competed at Miss United States, not Miss Universe. |
= Miss World US Virgin Islands =
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared the Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Finished as a special awards winner
}}
::Between 1976 and 1980, it was unknown how the delegates representing the US territory were chosen. Between 1982 and 2005 the Miss American Virgin Islands went to Miss World. In 2010, the Miss World USVI committees appointed the delegate to Miss World 2010 in Sanya. From 2012-2016 the Miss US Paradise winner is the selected delegate to the Miss World pageant. In 2019, a separate pageant called Miss World USVI was held to select the delegate for the Miss World pageant.
| class="wikitable " style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss World US Virgin Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss World !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
| 2023
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 2021
| Adisha Penn | colspan=3 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 2020
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no pageant in 2020}} |
| 2019
| Unplaced | align="left"|
| Previously Miss BVI 2018.{{cite web|url=https://bvinews.com/former-miss-bvi-ayana-phillips-crowned-miss-world-usvi/|title=Former Miss BVI A'yana Phillips crowned Miss World USVI|website=bvinews.com|date=7 October 2019 |access-date=7 October 2019}} |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2017—2018}} |
| bgcolor="#787878" align="center"
| colspan="5" |USVI Representatives from Miss US Paradise |
| 2016
| Kyrelle Thomas | Unplaced | | |
| 2015
| Jahne Massac | Unplaced | | |
| 2014
| Aniska Tonge | Unplaced | | |
| 2013
| Petra Cabrera-Badia | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
| 2012
| Taiesa Annique Lashley | Unplaced | align="left"|
| Miss US Paradise Organization — Cyndee's Models in the Isle directorship. |
| bgcolor="#787878" align="center"
| colspan="5" |USVI Representative from Miss US Virgin Islands |
| style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 2011 | Top 15 | align="left"|
| The 1st Runner-up of Miss US Virgin Islands represented the territory at Miss World 2011 — In 2011 the Miss US Virgin Islands franchised the Miss World license. |
| bgcolor="#787878" align="center"
| colspan="5" |Miss World US Virgin Islands |
| 2010
| Unplaced | align="left"|
| American Virgin Islands changed name as US Virgin Islands — Cyndee's Models in the Isle has received the licensing rights to host the selection for the US Virgin Islands. |
| bgcolor="#787878" align="center"
| colspan="5" |Miss American Virgin Islands — World / by wearing sash the "American Virgin Islands" |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2006 and 2009}} |
| style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 2005 | Kmisha-Victoria Counts | Top 15 | align="left"| | |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2003 and 2004}} |
| 2002
| Hailey Cagan | Unplaced | | |
| 2001
| Cherrisse Wood | Unplaced | | |
| 2000
| Luciah Hedrington | Unplaced | | |
| 1999
| Shani Afua Smith | Unplaced | | |
| 1998
| Wendy Sanchez | Unplaced | | |
| 1997
| Taisha Regina Gomes | Unplaced | | |
| 1996
| Emoliere Williams | Unplaced | | |
| 1995
| Roshini Nibbs | Unplaced | | |
| 1994
| Jessalyn Pearsall | Unplaced | | |
| 1993
| Suzanne Palermo | Unplaced | | |
| 1992
| Leah Webster | Unplaced | | |
| 1991
| Cheryl Leiba Milligan | Unplaced | | |
| 1990
| Keima Akintobi | Unplaced | | |
| style="background-color:#FFFF99;"
| 1989 | Vania Thomas | Top 10 | align="left"|
| |
| 1988
| Cathy-Mae Sitaram | Unplaced | | |
| 1987
| Lisa Pitram | Unplaced | | |
| 1986
| Carmen Rosa Acosta | Unplaced | | |
| 1985
| Connie Mary Colaire | Unplaced | | |
| 1984
| Sandy Lewis | Unplaced | | |
| 1983
| Chandra Theresa Ramsingh | Unplaced | | |
| 1982
| Benedicta Acosta | Unplaced | | Miss American Virgin Islands. |
| bgcolor="#787878" align="center"
| colspan="5" |Miss World Virgin Islands — official designation |
| 1981
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 1980
| Palmira Frorup | Unplaced | | |
| 1979
| Jasmine Olivia Turner | Unplaced | | |
| 1978
| Enid d'Lores Francis | Unplaced | | |
| 1977
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 1976
| Denise La Franque | Unplaced | | Miss World Virgin Islands — official designation from 1976 to 1980. |
= Miss Earth US Virgin Islands =
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared the Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Finished as a special awards winner
}}
| class="wikitable " style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss Earth US Virgin Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss Earth !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
| 2024
| Unplaced | | |
| 2023
| Unplaced | | |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2021—2022}} |
| 2020
| Isabella Bennett | Unplaced | | |
| 2019
| Talisha White | Unplaced | | |
| 2018
| colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
| 2017
| Kaylee Carlberg | Unplaced | | |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2015—2016}} |
| style="background-color:#FADADD;"
| 2014 | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
| 2013
| Vanessa Mari Donastorg | Unplaced | | |
| style="background-color:#FADADD;"
| 2012 | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
| bgcolor="#787878" align="center"
| colspan="5" |USVI Representative from Miss US Virgin Islands |
| 2011
| Kara Williams | Unplaced | | |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2008—2010}} |
| 2007
| JeT’aime Cheree Cerge | Unplaced | | |
= Miss International US Virgin Islands =
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared the Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Finished as aspecial awards winner
}}
| class="wikitable " style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss International US Virgin Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss International !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete since 2013—Present}} |
| 2012
| Vanessa Mari Donastorg | Unplaced | | The 1st Runner-up of Miss US Paradise represented the territory at Miss International 2012 — In 2012 the Miss US Paradise franchised the Miss International license. |
= Miss Supranational US Virgin Islands =
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared the Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Finished as a special awards winner
}}
| class="wikitable " style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss Supranational US Virgin Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss Supranational !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
| 2024
| Bria James | colspan=3 {{TBA}} |
| colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2021—2023}} |
| 2020
| colspan=5 {{n/a|Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no pageant in 2020}} |
| 2019
| Destani Huffman-Jefferson | Unplaced | | |
| style="background-color:#FFFF66;"
| 2013 | Esonica Viera | 4th runner-up | | |
= Miss Cosmo US Virgin Islands =
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared the Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Finished as a special awards winner
}}
| class="wikitable " style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss Supranational US Virgin Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss Supranational !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
| 2024
| London Tucker | colspan=3 {{TBA}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://missuniverseusvi.com/ missuniverseusvi.com]
{{Miss Universe countries and territories}}
{{Miss World countries and territories}}
{{Miss International countries and territories}}
{{Miss Supranational countries and territories}}
{{Miss Earth countries and territories}}
Category:Recurring events established in 1961
Category:Beauty pageants in the United States Virgin Islands
Category:United States Virgin Islands awards
Category:1956 establishments in the United States Virgin Islands