Miss Earth USA (formerly Miss Earth United States) is an annual beauty pageant which selects the United States representative to Miss Earth which is an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness.[1][2][3]

Miss Earth USA
Formation2005; 19 years ago (2005)
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Location
  • United States
MembershipMiss Earth
Official language
English
National Director
Laura Clark (2016-present)
Websitemissearthusa.com

The current Miss Earth USA is Bea Millan-Windorski from Wisconsin. Millan-Windorski was crowned on December 31, 2023, by Miss Earth USA 2023, Danielle Mullins, from Kentucky at the Rosen Center in Orlando, Florida.

In January 2016, owners of Miss Earth, Carousel Productions, Inc., announced, through their official Facebook fan page, that the Miss Earth USA program would be managed by U.S. Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc. under the leadership of national director Laura Clark.

In August 2018, the current organization announced it would be changing its name to Miss Earth USA.[4]

History

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2001-2004: Ms. America International

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From 2001 to 2005 participants were selected by the Ms. America International pageant where the prize was to represent the United States at the Miss Earth Pageant.[citation needed] The very first American delegate for Miss Earth was Abigail Royce[5] of California. She competed in 2001 where she landed as one of the Top 10 semifinalists.[6][7]

2005-2015: Earth Pageant Productions

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In 2005, Earth Pageant Productions acquired the rights to run Miss Earth USA, in which the winner would go on to Miss Earth.[citation needed] The pageant adopted the slogan "Continuing the Legacy of Beauty and Responsibility". The pageant focused mainly on promoting environmental causes and the winners were chosen equally on their physical attributes as well as their understanding and knowledge of the issues affecting the Earth.[8][9][10] Miss Teen Earth USA was added in 2008, and was held in conjunction with the Miss Earth USA.[citation needed]

2016-Present: U.S. Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc.

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The US Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc. is the current organization that owns and has runs Miss Earth USA since 2016. The organization is based in Washington, D.C.[11]

National Competition

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Pre-pageant events take place over a one-week period and include community service work within the host location. Delegates are scored in the following areas: judges' interview, evening gown, swimwear, a Think Global, Act Local environmental project,[12] runway, photogenic, media interview, and social media presence and engagement. In 2023 the current prize value for the top national titleholder for Miss Earth USA was valued at over $100,000 from prize awards, endorsements, and travel.[13]

State & Regional Competitions

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Every year, states hold a preliminary competition to choose their delegate for the Miss Earth USA pageant. Delegates may be appointed state or regional titles if a state pageant is not offered in their area. The state/regional winners hold the title "Miss (State/Region) Earth USA" for the year of their reign.

State contestants are judged equally in the following categories: community service, gown, interview, photogenic, and swimwear.

The U.S. Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc. organization awards directorships to pageant directors, who in some cases are responsible for more than one state or a region of the United States.

Currently, the Miss Earth USA organization does allow contestants to re-compete at the national pageant in the same division under the previous state title held, or a regional title, if a state title has already been awarded or appointed.

Performance at Miss Earth

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In 2020, Lindsey Coffey is the first U.S. representative to win Miss Earth during their 20th anniversary. Marisa Butler, Miss Earth USA 2021, Emanii Davis, Miss Earth USA 2019, and Andrea Neu, Miss Earth USA 2014, placed first-runner up as Miss Earth - Air in their respective years competing at Miss Earth.[14][15]

Results summary

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Placements in Miss Earth

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Miss Earth USA holds a record of 16 placements at Miss Earth, third overall behind Miss Philippines Earth, and Miss Earth Venezuela.

  • Miss Earth: Lindsey Coffey (2020)
  • Miss Earth Air (1st Runner-up): Andrea Neu (2014), Emanii Davis (2019), Marisa Butler (2021)
  • Miss Earth Water (2nd Runner-up): Brittany Payne (2015), Bea Millan-Windorski (2024)
  • Miss Earth Fire (3rd Runner-up): Corrin Stellakis (2016)
  • Top 8: Amanda Kimmel (2005), Siria Bojorquez (2012)
  • Top 10: Abigail Royce (2001)
  • Top 14/16/20: Amanda Pennekamp (2006), Jana Murrell (2008), Danielle Bounds (2010), Nicolle Velez (2013), Andrea Gibau (2017), Danielle Mullins (2023)

Editions

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The following is a list of all Miss Earth USA winners and elemental court during their year of crowning.

Year Host City Miss Earth USA Elemental Courts
Air Water Fire Eco
2024 Orlando, Florida Bea Millan-Windorski[16]
Wisconsin
Sofia Terrazas
Texas
Jireh Gerry
California
Sydney Hella
Colorado
Jada Kelly
Mississippi
2023 Danielle Mullins[17]
Kentucky
Shawna Melvin
Maryland
Natalia Aldarondo
Florida
Angel Strong
Nebraska
Gracie Pfaff
Tennessee
2022 Natalia Salmon
Pennsylvania (Dethroned)
Faith Porter
District of Columbia
No replacement, original
placement of Brielle Simmons
Connecticut
Hannah Welborn-Lewis
North Carolina
Emma Loney
Oklahoma
Brielle Simmons
Connecticut
(Assumed)
2021 Marisa Butler
Maine
Alyssa Klinzing
California
Alyssa Magalong
Colorado
Kennedy Thomas
Alabama
C'yana Denby
Maryland
2020 Virtual Pageant Lindsey Coffey
Pennsylvania
Shannon Lynch
District of Columbia
Autumn Adams
Georgia
Leighanna Kingvalsky
Louisiana
Alexandra Curtis
Rhode Island
2019 Las Vegas, Nevada Emanii Davis
Georgia
Libby Hill
Gulf Coast
Mia Jones
Delaware
Francie Evans
South Carolina
Kirstin Bangs
California (Resigned)
Nicolette Templier
New York (Assumed)
2018 Alexandria, Virginia Yashvi Aware
Mid-Atlantic
Kailey Parker
Hawaii
Yvette Vaughn
Texas
Natalia Aldarondo
Puerto Rico
April Maroshick
New York
2017 Andreia Gibau
Massachusetts
Ashley Wade
District of Columbia
Yvette Vaughn
Northwest
Sydney Wharton
Texas
Not awarded
2016 Corrin Stellakis
New York
Mae-Ann Webb
South Carolina
Devin Boyd
Louisiana
Kesha Clark
Southwest
2015 Ontario, California Brittany Ann Payne
California
Cece Campos
Southern California
Maria Manzo
Grand Florida
Maicie Clark
Florida
Elizabeth Tran
Florida
2014 Andrea Neu
Colorado
Eli Reyes
Texas
Candie Herrera Cece Campos
Southern California
Daryanne Lees
Puerto Rico
2013 Honolulu, Hawaii Nicolle Velez
Empire State
Edita Jurisic
Pennsylvania
Eli Reyes
Texas
Lucie Poehere Wilson
Hawaii
Emily Miller
South Dakota
2012 Charlotte, North Carolina Siria Bojorquez
Lone Star State
Illinois California Pennsylvania Missouri
2011 Daytona Beach, Florida Nicole Kelley
Florida
Not awarded

Titleholders

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This is a list of women who have represented United States at the Miss Earth pageant:

Color key
  •   Declared as Winner
  •   Ended as Runner-up
  •   Ended as one of the Finalists, Semi-finalists or Quarter-finalists
Year Miss Earth USA Age[a] State Hometown Placement Medals & Awards Note(s)
2001 Abigail Royce 25 California San Diego Top 10 1st Runner-up at Miss World USA 2000.
2002 Casey Marie Burns 21 California Long Beach Unplaced
2003 Jessica Schilling† 19 California Palm Springs Unplaced
2004 Stephanie Brownell 20 California Riverside Unplaced Miss Friendship
2005 Amanda Kimmel 21 Montana Billings Top 8 Miss Montana USA 2005.
2006 Amanda Pennekamp 25 South Carolina Columbia Top 16 Miss South Carolina USA 2004, 1st Runner-up at Miss USA 2004.
2007 Lisa Forbes 26 Kansas Overland Park Unplaced Miss Kansas USA 2004.
2008 Jana Murrell 26 Nebraska Omaha Top 16 Miss Nebraska USA 2005.
2009 Amy Diaz 25 Rhode Island Providence Unplaced Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2001; Miss Rhode Island USA 2008, Top 15 at Miss USA 2008.
2010 Danielle Bounds 26 Missouri Kansas City Top 14
2011 Nicole Kelley 22 Florida Palm Coast Unplaced
2012 Siria Bojorquez 19 Texas El Paso Top 8   Best Swimsuit (Group)
  Trivia Challenge (Group)
  Best Participation
  Darling of the Press
2013 Nicolle Velez 22 New York New York City Top 16   Best School Tour Teachers (Group)
  Miss Friendship (Group)
2014 Andrea Neu 24 Colorado Pueblo 1st Runner-up
(Miss Earth-Air)
  Best Resort Wear (Group)
  Best Swimsuit
  Best Teacher (Group)
  Best Evening Gown (Group)
Miss U.S. International 2013, Top 15 at Miss International 2013.
2015 Brittany Ann Payne 23 California Tehachapi 2nd Runner-up
(Miss Earth-Water)
  Charity Givers;
Best Eco Video and Most Cheerful.
2016 Corrin Stellakis 19 New York Bridgeport 3rd Runner-up
(Miss Earth-Fire)
  Best Swimsuit (Group)
  Darling of the Press;
Hannah's Best Swimsuit and 1st Runner-up in Miss Earth-Hannah's.
Originally placed Top 8, later elevated after original Miss Earth-Fire was resigned; Miss New York Teen USA 2014; Top 12 at Miss World America 2015; Miss U.S. International 2021.
Mae-Ann Webb 25 South Carolina Ridge Spring did not compete Originally 1st Runner-up, later took over after original winner was elevated to Miss Earth-Fire.
2017 Andreia Gibau 22 Massachusetts Brockton Top 16   Best Resort Wear (Group)
  Best Swimsuit (Group)
Miss New York USA 2020, Top 10 at Miss USA 2020.
2018 Yashvi Aware 25 Maryland Frederick Unplaced
2019 Emanii Davis 25 Georgia Griffin 1st Runner-up
(Miss Earth-Air)
  Best Evening Gown (Group);
Best Futuristic Filipiniaña, Best Designer and Host Lion Legazpi Oriental.
Miss Georgia USA 2016, 2nd Runner-up at Miss USA 2016; 3rd Runner-up at Miss World America 2017.
Libby Hill 28 Texas Houston did not compete Originally 1st Runner-up, later took over after original winner won Miss Earth-Air.
2020 Lindsey Coffey 28 Pennsylvania Centerville Miss Earth 2020   Best Evening Gown (Group)
  Best Talent in Sing (Group)
  Best Swimsuit (Group)
  Best Resort Wear (Group)
  Best Sportwear (Group)
2021 Marisa Butler 27 Maine Standish 1st Runner-up
(Miss Earth-Air)
  Best Talent in Sing
  Best Sportswear
Miss Maine USA 2016; Miss World America 2018, Top 30 at Miss World 2018.
2022 Natalia Salmon 23 Pennsylvania Effort did not compete Later was replaced by 2nd Runner-up for unknown reasons.
Brielle Simmons 20 Connecticut Fort Washington Unplaced Best Fauna Outfit (Americas)
  Beach Wear Competition (Water Group)
  Long Gown Competition (Water Gorup)
Originally 2nd Runner-up, later took over after original winner was dethroned.
2023 Danielle Mullins 25 Kentucky Louisville Top 20
2024 Bea Millan-Windorski 20 Wisconsin Whitefish Bay Miss Earth – Water  
Best Philippine Heritage Attire Award

Notes:

  • † Now deceased

By number of states

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States Titles Years
California 5 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2015
Pennsylvania 2 2020, 2022[b]
Texas 2012, 2019[b]
New York 2013, 2016
South Carolina 2006, 2016[b]
Wisconsin 1 2024
Kentucky 2023
Connecticut 2022
Maine 2021
Georgia 2019
Maryland 2018
Massachusetts 2017
Colorado 2014
Florida 2011
Missouri 2010
Rhode Island 2009
Nebraska 2008
Kansas 2007
Montana 2005
  1. ^ Age when crowned the national title.
  2. ^ a b c Took over or held the title for a brief period of time after the original winner won or elevated to Miss Earth's runner-up, and thus did not compete at Miss Earth.
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Additional Miss Earth USA Divisions

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The current Miss Earth USA program requires contestants be ages 18–26 as of January 1 of the competition year. U.S. Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc. offers three additional divisions supporting Miss Earth USA. The winners of the additional divisions for ages 14–18 (Teen) and 21-59 (Mrs.) go on to compete at international competitions. Previously the program had an Elite Miss division for ages 26–38, but it was discontinued in 2022. All delegates are never married (excluding Mrs.), never had children (excluding Mrs.), natural born female, and U.S. citizens.[18] Together, these delegates make up Miss Earth USA system and bring awareness to environmental concerns while celebrating talents in modeling, fashion, and public speaking.[19]

Titleholders

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The following is a list of all Miss Earth USA supporting division titleholders.

Supporting Divisions for Miss Earth USA
Edition Teen Miss Earth USA State Mrs. USA State Elite Miss Earth USA State
2024 Alexandria Wolfe   Texas TBA TBA
2023 Tayan Stansfield   Kentucky Ann Pennington   New Jersey
2022 Presley Patrick   Pennsylvania Christine Rich   Delaware
2021 Katia Gerry   California Meredith Pope   Alabama Nalicia Ramdyal   New York
2020 Sally Dorrell   West Virginia
2019 Sydni Terradot   Louisiana Shelby Williams Dixon   North Carolina Celine Pelofi   Florida
2018 Payton Stockman   Gulf Coast Brandi Jarvis Ibos   Mississippi Keyace Sims   United States Gulf Coast
2017 Leslie Jackson   Maryland Division established in 2018[20]
2016 Sarah Levandowski   Texas
2015 Alyssa Klinzing   Kansas Vincenza Carrieri-Russo   Delaware

Notes:

  • 2022: Presley Patrick previously represented Pennsylvania at Teen Miss Earth USA 2021, placing 2nd runner-up.
  • 2022: Christine Rich previously represented Maryland at Mrs. USA Earth 2021 and 2019, placing 2nd and 3rd runner-up and Delaware at Mrs. USA Earth 2018, placing 1st runner-up. Christine was previously Mrs. Delaware America 2013, Mrs. Delaware United States 2015, placing top 15 at Mrs. United States, and Mrs. Delaware Galaxy 2018, placing 2nd runner-up at Mrs. Galaxy International.
  • 2019: Celine Pelofi was previously Ms. United States 2015 representing Florida.
  • 2018: Brandi Jarvis Ibos previously represented Mississippi at Miss Earth United States 2016, placing Top 10.
  • 2018: Payton Stockman previously represented Florida at Teen Miss Earth United States 2017, placing 1st Runner-Up and earned the swim award.
  • 2015: Alyssa Klinzing was previously Miss Kansas Teen USA 2013, placing Top 16 at Miss Teen USA 2013 and later Miss Kansas USA 2019, placing Top 10 at Miss USA 2019.
  • 2015: Vincenza Carrieri-Russo was previously Miss Delaware USA 2008 and Miss Delaware United States 2014, placing 2nd-Runner Up at Miss United States 2014.[21]

References

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  1. ^ New York Times, World News (2003-10-30). "Afghanistan: Anti-Pageant Judges". The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
  2. ^ "Miss Earth 2004 beauty pageant". China Daily. Reuters. 2004-10-25. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
  3. ^ Enriquez, Amee (2 February 2014). "Philippines: How to make a beauty queen". BBC News. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  4. ^ Miss Earth USA - New name. Same mission. #missearthusa..., retrieved 2019-10-05
  5. ^ TJ, Burgonio (12 October 2001). "Beauties Back Out pp25 and 27". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  6. ^ High Beam News, Online (2001-11-08). "Danish law student is Miss Earth". Filipino Reporter. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  7. ^ Palmero, Paul (2005-06-18). "Pageant History". Pageant Almanac. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2010-01-12.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ Brady, Matt (2008-09-25). "Miss Earth United States checks out Fort Collins' environmental efforts". Fort Collins. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  9. ^ Bruning, Marlee (2009-10-07). ""'Green'tings" from Rhody for latest enviro-queen". The Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  10. ^ Sullivan, Jerriann (2009-07-19). "Pageant promotes Earth". Central Florida Future of the University of Central Florida. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  11. ^ "Miss Earth United States | New Licensee Named". missearthunitedstates.com. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
  12. ^ "MISS EARTH USA | Go Green". missearthusa.com. Retrieved 2019-10-08.
  13. ^ "2023 National Titleholder: Danielle Mullins". Miss Earth USA.
  14. ^ Staff Reporter (2014-11-29). "Miss Earth 2014 Crown Goes To Miss Philippines". TravelersToday. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  15. ^ "Pinay bags Miss Earth 2014 title". GMA News Online. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  16. ^ "Bea Milan-Windorski Miss Earth USA 2024". instagram. 31 December 2023.
  17. ^ Powell, Curadhan (2023-01-10). "For first time ever, 2 Kentuckians win 2023's Miss Earth USA titles together". WLKY. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  18. ^ "MISS EARTH UNITED STATES | FAQ". missearthusa.com. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
  19. ^ White, Jamila (2016). "National Green Week kickoff!". WJLA-TV. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  20. ^ "MRS. USA EARTH | Meet the Queen". Mrs USA Earth. Retrieved 2019-10-05.[dead link]
  21. ^ "More About Vincenza Carrieri Russo". Vincenza Carrieri-Russo. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
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