Miss USA 1974
Encyclopedia
Miss USA 1974, the 23rd Miss USA
pageant, was televised live by CBS
from Niagara Falls, New York
on May 18, 1974.
The pageant was won by Karen Morrison of Illinois
, who was crowned by outgoing titleholder Amanda Jones
, also of Illinois. Morrison was the fourth woman from Illinois to win the Miss USA title (a record at the time), and went on to place as a semi-finalist at Miss Universe 1974
.
Miss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
pageant, was televised live by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
from Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
on May 18, 1974.
The pageant was won by Karen Morrison of Illinois
Miss Illinois USA
The Miss Illinois USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state Illinois in the Miss USA pageant.Illinois is one of the most successful states in the competition. It is one of only four states to have won four or more Miss USA titles and one of only three states to...
, who was crowned by outgoing titleholder Amanda Jones
Amanda Jones (Miss USA)
Amanda Jones is a former beauty queen from Evanston, Illinois who has held the Miss USA 1973 title.Jones was crowned Miss Illinois USA 1973 and later represented Illinois in the Miss USA 1973 pageant held in New York City. She won the Miss USA title and was crowned by outgoing titleholder Tanya...
, also of Illinois. Morrison was the fourth woman from Illinois to win the Miss USA title (a record at the time), and went on to place as a semi-finalist at Miss Universe 1974
Miss Universe 1974
Miss Universe 1974, the 23rd Miss Universe pageant, was held in Manila, Philippines on the early morning of July 21, 1974 before a live audience of an estimated 10,000 at the Folk Arts Theater and broadcast live by CBS and Radio Philippines Network . The pageant was hosted by Bob Barker and Helen...
.
Results
- Miss USA 1974: Karen Morrison (IllinoisMiss Illinois USAThe Miss Illinois USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state Illinois in the Miss USA pageant.Illinois is one of the most successful states in the competition. It is one of only four states to have won four or more Miss USA titles and one of only three states to...
) - The runners-up were:
- 1st runner-up: Barbara Cooper (New YorkMiss New York USAThe Miss New York USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New York in the Miss USA pageant. Amber Collins is the reigning Miss New York USA 2011...
) - 2nd runner-up: Mary Cook (WisconsinMiss Wisconsin USAThe Miss Wisconsin USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Wisconsin in the Miss USA pageant. Since 2008 the state pageant has been directed by Future Productions of Savage, Minnesota....
) - 3rd runner-up: Gayle Gorrell (CaliforniaMiss California USAMiss California USA is a pageant that selects the representative for the state of California in the Miss USA pageant.The current titleholder is Katie Blair. She succeeded Alyssa Campanella on June 25, 2011 after Campanella was crowned Miss USA 2011....
) - 4th runner-up: Marcia Burton (North CarolinaMiss North Carolina USAThe Miss North Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state North Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. This state is part of the RPM Productions group....
)
- 1st runner-up: Barbara Cooper (New York
- The semi-finalists were:
- Carlys Peterson (ArizonaMiss Arizona USAThe Miss Arizona USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Arizona in the Miss USA pageant.In 2005 the rights to produce the Miss Arizona USA pageant were given to Casting Crown productions...
) - Robin Utterback (District of ColumbiaMiss District of Columbia USAThe Miss District of Columbia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the District of Columbia in the Miss USA pageant....
) - Cynthia Zach (FloridaMiss Florida USAThe Miss Florida USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Florida in the Miss USA pageant.While Florida has been successful in terms of runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists, the state has never won the Miss USA pageant, although Cheryl Patton became Miss USA...
) - Karen Hoff (LouisianaMiss Louisiana USAThe Miss Louisiana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Louisiana in the Miss USA pageant.Louisiana is one of the most successful states at Miss USA and is one of only seven states to have had three or more Miss USAs.Three Miss Louisiana USA titleholders...
) - Dorothy McAlveen (MissouriMiss Missouri USAThe Miss Missouri USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Missouri in the Miss USA pageant. In 1993, Missouri joined the Vanbros group of state pageants for the Miss USA and Teen USA system....
) - Linda Dryden (NevadaMiss Nevada USAThe Miss Nevada USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Nevada in the Miss USA pageant.While Nevada did well in the early years of the Miss USA pageant, they only placed once from 1987 to 2000...
) - Debra Ann Brickley (South DakotaMiss South Dakota USAThe Miss South Dakota USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of South Dakota in the Miss USA pageant. This state pageant is currently directed by Future Productions....
)
- Carlys Peterson (Arizona
Special awards
- Congeniality: Donna Thornton (VermontMiss Vermont USAThe Miss Vermont USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Vermont in the Miss USA pageant.Vermont is one of the least successful states, but they have produced a Miss USA - Carlene King Johnson in 1955...
) - Photogenic: Barbara Cooper (New YorkMiss New York USAThe Miss New York USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New York in the Miss USA pageant. Amber Collins is the reigning Miss New York USA 2011...
)
Delegates
The Miss USA 1974 delegates were:
AlabamaMiss Alabama USAThe Miss Alabama USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Alabama in the Miss USA pageant.Alabama is one of the more successful and consistent states at Miss USA. Although they have had a number of runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists, they have only...
- Wyna Lavas
AlaskaMiss Alaska USAThe Miss Alaska USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Alaska in the Miss USA pageant.Alaska's highest placement was in 1964, with Patricia Marlin as the second runner up. Alaska's most recent placement was in 1990 when Karin Meyer placed in the top 6...
- Cindy Dickerson
ArizonaMiss Arizona USAThe Miss Arizona USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Arizona in the Miss USA pageant.In 2005 the rights to produce the Miss Arizona USA pageant were given to Casting Crown productions...
- Carlys Peterson
ArkansasMiss Arkansas USAThe Miss Arkansas USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arkansas in the Miss USA pageant.The state pageant was directed by Premier Pageants from 2002 to 2007 before becoming part of the Vanbros organization in 2007...
- Gina Huddle
CaliforniaMiss California USAMiss California USA is a pageant that selects the representative for the state of California in the Miss USA pageant.The current titleholder is Katie Blair. She succeeded Alyssa Campanella on June 25, 2011 after Campanella was crowned Miss USA 2011....
- Gayle Gorrell
ColoradoMiss Colorado USAThe Miss Colorado USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Colorado in the Miss USA pageant. The event was held in Loveland from 2006 to 2008 and moved to Greeley in 2010....
- Connie Larsen
ConnecticutMiss Connecticut USAThe Miss Connecticut USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Connecticut in the Miss USA pageant. This pageant is directed by Crown Productions, who took over the pageant in 2003....
- Valerie Cappello
DelawareMiss Delaware USAThe Miss Delaware USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Delaware in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant is directed by D&D Investments....
- Cheryl Fetkenher
District of ColumbiaMiss District of Columbia USAThe Miss District of Columbia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the District of Columbia in the Miss USA pageant....
- Robin Utterback
FloridaMiss Florida USAThe Miss Florida USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Florida in the Miss USA pageant.While Florida has been successful in terms of runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists, the state has never won the Miss USA pageant, although Cheryl Patton became Miss USA...
- Cynthia Zach.svg.png)
GeorgiaMiss Georgia USAThe Miss Georgia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Georgia in the Miss USA pageant.Historically, Georgia has been the eleventh most successful state at Miss USA and has performed in more recent years, placing eighth on the table of most successful states...
- Vicki Ross
HawaiiMiss Hawaii USAThe Miss Hawaii USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Hawaii in the Miss USA pageant.Hawaii is the most recent state to start competing at Miss USA, as it first competed in 1962. Prior to this delegates were sent to Miss Universe...
- Joan Ottensmeyer
IdahoMiss Idaho USAThe Miss Idaho USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state of Idaho in the Miss USA pageant.Idaho is one of the least successful states in the history of the competition, with only four placements in fifty-seven years...
- Jean Dowden
IllinoisMiss Illinois USAThe Miss Illinois USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state Illinois in the Miss USA pageant.Illinois is one of the most successful states in the competition. It is one of only four states to have won four or more Miss USA titles and one of only three states to...
- Karen Morrison
IndianaMiss Indiana USAThe Miss Indiana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Indiana in the Miss USA pageant.Nine Miss Indiana USA winners previously competed at Miss Teen USA. The state currently holds the record for the most Miss Teen USA state winners to win a Miss USA...
- Lisa Childress
IowaMiss Iowa USAThe Miss Iowa USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Iowa in the Miss USA pageant.While Iowa has not been greatly successful in the past four decades, they were one of the most consistent states in the first decade of the pageant's existence...
- Susan Thompson
KansasMiss Kansas USAThe Miss Kansas USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state of Kansas in the Miss USA pageant.Kansas did not place at Miss USA until 1973, the third-to-last state to make their first placement. From then, no delegate from Kansas made the cut until 1991, when Kelli...
- Lorraine Breckenridge
KentuckyMiss Kentucky USAThe Miss Kentucky USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Kentucky in the Miss USA pageant. The current director for the Miss Kentucky USA and Miss Kentucky Teen USA titles is Connie Clark Harrison. Mrs...
- Charlesy Gulick
LouisianaMiss Louisiana USAThe Miss Louisiana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Louisiana in the Miss USA pageant.Louisiana is one of the most successful states at Miss USA and is one of only seven states to have had three or more Miss USAs.Three Miss Louisiana USA titleholders...
- Karen Hoff
MaineMiss Maine USAThe Miss Maine USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Maine in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant has been directed by Mackenzie Davis, Miss Maine USA 2004, since 2007....
- Rebecca Titcomb
MarylandMiss Maryland USAThe Miss Maryland USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Maryland in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant is directed by D&D Investments....
- Mary Jo Ruppert
MassachusettsMiss Massachusetts USAThe Miss Massachusetts USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Massachusetts in the Miss USA pageant....
- Esthellean Hicks
MichiganMiss Michigan USAThe Miss Michigan USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Michigan in the Miss USA pageant.Michigan is recognized by as being within the top 15 states in terms of Miss USA success. Their first Miss USA victory was in 1990, and notable because Carole Gist...
- Patty Loftis
MinnesotaMiss Minnesota USAThe Miss Minnesota USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Minnesota in the Miss USA pageant.Despite a strong start in the first three years of competition at Miss USA, Minnesota has been largely unsuccessful overall...
- Gayle Johnson
MississippiMiss Mississippi USAThe Miss Mississippi USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Mississippi in the Miss USA pageant.Mississippi has not been very successful in Miss USA pageants, with only 10 placements as of 2010...
- Denise Clark
MissouriMiss Missouri USAThe Miss Missouri USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Missouri in the Miss USA pageant. In 1993, Missouri joined the Vanbros group of state pageants for the Miss USA and Teen USA system....
- Dorothy McAlveen
MontanaMiss Montana USAThe Miss Montana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Montana in the Miss USA pageant.Montana is one of the least successful states in Miss USA history, but there has been success in other pageants. Miss Montana USA 2005 Amanda Kimmel was chosen to...
- Carol Aalseth
NebraskaMiss Nebraska USAThe Miss Nebraska USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Nebraska in the Miss USA pageant.In 2002, Nebraska joined the Vanbros group of state pageants for the Miss USA and Teen USA system....
- Mary Wolff
NevadaMiss Nevada USAThe Miss Nevada USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Nevada in the Miss USA pageant.While Nevada did well in the early years of the Miss USA pageant, they only placed once from 1987 to 2000...
- Linda Dryden
New HampshireMiss New Hampshire USAThe Miss New Hampshire USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Hampshire in the Miss USA pageant.New Hampshire has had little success at Miss USA, and has only placed four times...
- June Tedeschi
New JerseyMiss New Jersey USAThe Miss New Jersey USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Jersey in the Miss USA pageant.New Jersey has had only moderate success at Miss USA, and has never produced a winner. New Jersey's best streak was from 1989 to 1991 when they had two 2nd...
- Pat Sims
New MexicoMiss New Mexico USAFor the state pageant affiliated with Miss America, see Miss New MexicoThe Miss New Mexico USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Mexico in the Miss USA pageant....
- Jan Nilsson
New YorkMiss New York USAThe Miss New York USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New York in the Miss USA pageant. Amber Collins is the reigning Miss New York USA 2011...
- Barbara Cooper
North CarolinaMiss North Carolina USAThe Miss North Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state North Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. This state is part of the RPM Productions group....
- Marcia Burton
North DakotaMiss North Dakota USAThe Miss North Dakota USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of North Dakota in the Miss USA pageant.North Dakota has had only three placements and have never won the Miss USA crown. Their highest placement was in 1966 when Judy Slayton placed 3rd runner-up to...
- Judy Waltz
OhioMiss Ohio USAThe Miss Ohio USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Ohio in the Miss USA pageant.Ohio achieved success in the first decades of the Miss USA competition but has not done as well in recent years...
- Kay Phillips
OklahomaMiss Oklahoma USAFor the article about the Miss America state pageant, see Miss OklahomaThe Miss Oklahoma USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Oklahoma in the Miss USA pageant....
- Yugonda Willits
OregonMiss Oregon USAThe Miss Oregon USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Oregon in the Miss USA pageant.Oregon has only had limited success at Miss USA and has never won the competition. The highest placed Miss Oregon USA was Gail Atchison who finished 2nd runner-up to...
- Peggy Ann Gerding
PennsylvaniaMiss Pennsylvania USAThe Miss Pennsylvania USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Pennsylvania in the Miss USA pageant.Michele McDonald is Pennsylvania's only Miss USA so far. At only eighteen, she was one of the youngest competitors ever to win the crown...
- Dorisann Gatalski
Rhode IslandMiss Rhode Island USAThe Miss Rhode Island USA competition is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state Rhode Island in the Miss USA pageant....
- Debra Cerroni
South CarolinaMiss South Carolina USAThe Miss South Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state South Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant has been produced by RPM Productions since 1980....
- Lynn Hollis
South DakotaMiss South Dakota USAThe Miss South Dakota USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of South Dakota in the Miss USA pageant. This state pageant is currently directed by Future Productions....
- Debra Ann Brickley
TennesseeMiss Tennessee USAThe Miss Tennessee USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Tennessee in the Miss USA pageant.Since 2001 the pageant has been held in the auditorium at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee....
- Brin Hendrix
TexasMiss Texas USAThe Miss Texas USA competition is the pageant who selects the representative for the state Texas in the Miss USA pageant. In turn, the winner of Miss USA competes for the title of Miss Universe....
- Debra Cronin
UtahMiss Utah USAThe Miss Utah USA competition is the pageant who selects the representative for the state of Utah in the Miss USA pageant.Utah has been quite successful at Miss USA, with 20 placements as of 2009. Their most consistent period was in the 1950s and 1960s. Utah has produced one Miss USA in 1960...
- Halene Petersen
VermontMiss Vermont USAThe Miss Vermont USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Vermont in the Miss USA pageant.Vermont is one of the least successful states, but they have produced a Miss USA - Carlene King Johnson in 1955...
- Donna Thornton
VirginiaMiss Virginia USAThe Miss Virginia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Virginia in the Miss USA pageant.Virginia has been only moderately successful in terms of number of semi-finalists, they have had two Miss USAs. They are one of only three states to have had two Miss...
- Hazel Thomas
WashingtonMiss Washington USAThe Miss Washington USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Washington in the Miss USA pageant.Washington has been moderately successful in terms of number of semi-finalists and placements, and has had one Miss USA...
- Cheryl Rutledge
West VirginiaMiss West Virginia USAThe Miss West Virginia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of West Virginia in the Miss USA pageant.West Virginia has not been greatly successful at Miss USA and they have never produced a winner...
- Kim Nuzum
WisconsinMiss Wisconsin USAThe Miss Wisconsin USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Wisconsin in the Miss USA pageant. Since 2008 the state pageant has been directed by Future Productions of Savage, Minnesota....
- Mary Cook
WyomingMiss Wyoming USA, Miss Wyoming USA 2012]]The Miss Wyoming USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Wyoming in the Miss USA pageant. The Miss Wyoming USA pageant is currently produced by Future Productions....
- Debbie Petty