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Badlands' Monni Nyaribo was crowned Miss North Dakota USA 2023 on Sunday, June 11 at Watertown Event Center in Watertown, South Dakota. The 27-year-old BBA in marketing graduate of North Dakota State University will now represent North Dakota at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. Morgan Layton (Minot), Haley Helmin (Fargo), Chelsey Faye Morlock (Dunn County), and Lauren Cannon (Jamestown) were announced as the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. As a proud Kenyan-American, the new Miss North Dakota USA hopes to inspire young girls with the same skin color as hers. She wrote on social media: "I hope any little black girl watching knows that they are worthy of love. They are worthy to be successful." Monni also shared her foundation and social impact initiative "Find Your Match" which was cultivated from her own life-altering experience with burnout in her 20s. It aims to eliminate hustle culture and raise awareness for burnout prevent

Bianca Wright, representing Anthony, was crowned Miss New Mexico USA 2023 on Sunday, June 4 at the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Center for the Arts in Las Cruces. The 28-year-old environmental scientist and founder of a community organization Harvesting Help for Humanity will now prepare to represent New Mexico at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. She succeeds last year's winner and Miss USA 2022 Top 12 finalist Suzanne Perez.  Her court of runners-up were Chariona Bridges, Elizabeth Medina, Alondra Ruiz, Francesca Covino, and Priscilla Trujillo. For the teens' division, Hobbs' Asia Rose Simpson succeeds Caroline Babcock as she won the title of Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2023. The 15-year-old will go on to compete in Miss Teen USA 2023. Asia's runners-up were Jade Vargas, Carolina Ockerman, Analyssa Jaimes, Hailee Gallegos, and Mya Sanchez. The last time New Mexico won the Miss USA title was in 1984 with Mai Therese Shanley who went on to place in the Top 10

Nevaeh Harmon was crowned Miss West Virginia USA 2023 on Sunday, June 4 at the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts, West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon. The 21-year-old Filipino-American (Blasian) pre-med student from Charleston-Huntington Area will now prepare to represent West Virginia at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. Rounding out the Top 5 were Tamia Hardy, Emma Knapp, Cassidy Myers, and Erin Wellman. They were proclaimed the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. "This is the most surreal feeling I have ever felt in my life. If you would have asked me one year ago today if I pictured myself winning, I would have said you were crazy," Nevaeh shared on social media. "I am honored and excited to represent my wild and wonderful state and community on the national stage, and I promise I won't let you down. This year is going to be a wild one, but I'm ready for the ride," she added. View this post

Alexis Fagan-Williams, representing Motown, was crowned Miss Michigan USA 2023 on Saturday, June 3 at the McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center in Port Huron. The 22-year-old psychology graduate from Detroit succeeds Aria Hutchinson and will now prepare to represent Michigan at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada. "Words cannot express how grateful I am to have won the title of Miss Michigan USA 2023. I want to thank everyone who has helped me on this long journey to the crown. It means the world to have such an amazing support system behind me," she wrote in a statement on social media. Her court of runners-up includes Sidnei Austin of Somerset, Alexandria Kelly of South Canton, Sabrina Ramos of Dearborn, Michele Lewandoski of Norton Shores, and Victoria Singleton of Macomb County. Farmington Hills' Avery Hill succeeds Isabella Mosqueda as she was proclaimed Miss Michigan Teen USA 2023. She will now proceed to compete in Miss Teen USA 2023 final this fall. The teen&

Candace Kanavel was crowned Miss Arizona USA 2023 on Monday, May 29 at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert, Arizona. The 27-year-old Arizona State University alumna and police officer from Tempe will now represent her home state at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. She succeeds last year's winner Isabel Ticlo after trying to win the title for several years. Jordyn Owen, Khayla Munir, Zari Chacon, Sammi Landsman, and Victoria Jackson were declared the runners-up to the new Miss Arizona USA. "Is this real life?! So excited and honored to represent the state of Arizona as your Miss Arizona USA 2023," Candace wrote in a statement on social media. "It’s true when they say it takes a village, and I couldn’t have done this without mine," she added and went on to thank the people who made her victory possible. Her message for her fellow competitors: "To my amazing class, you are beautiful, inspiring, intelligent, and kind. This isn’t just my

Cumberland's Mary Malloy was crowned Miss Rhode Island USA 2023 on Sunday, May 28 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The VETS) in Providence. The first runner-up was Katie Bergantine while Jesaura Peralta, Briana Vega, and Kaitlynne Santana were announced as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Rhode Island USA is a former Miss Rhode Island Teen USA titleholder. She also participated twice at Miss California USA where she placed first runner-up in 2021 and Top 16 semifinalist in 2022. Mary will now prepare for the Miss USA 2023 pageant to be held in Reno, Nevada later this year and hopefully conquer the second national title for the state after former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo in 2012. The 26-year-old is a journalism graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She is also a mental health advocate who volunteers as a crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit that provides free mental health support. For

Miss Freeport, Samantha Elliott, was crowned Miss Illinois USA 2023 in a glittering state competition held on Sunday, May 28 at Braden Auditorium of the Illinois State University. The runners-up were Grace Rodi of DuPage County, Olivia Santelli of Edison Park, Yolina Lindquist of Southern Illinois, and Abby Foster of East Central. Samantha succeeds Angel Reyes, last year's winner who placed fourth runner-up and bagged the Miss Photogenic award at Miss USA 2022. The 22-year-old University of Kansas alumna with degrees in accounting and analytics will now prepare to represent Illinois at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. "Truly honored to be your new Miss Illinois USA. Words cannot express how excited I am to get this year started and to be headed to Miss USA," she wrote on social media. Sunday's event also crowned Vivica Lewandowski of Gold Coast as Miss Illinois Teen USA 2023 while Sofia Console, Karolina Kozbial, Sophia Xia, and Grace Toomey were announced as

Miss Kansas City, Autumn Black was crowned Miss Missouri USA 2023 on Sunday, May 21 at The Mansion Theatre for the Performing in Branson, Missouri. The 24-year-old content marketing specialist and a Mizzou alumna bested 25 other competitors to win the state title. She initiated "The Flawless Movement" to "women and girls to lead a life well lived." Autumn succeeds last year's winner and Top 16 semifinalist at Miss USA 2022, Mikala McGhee, and will now prepare to represent Missouri at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. Her first runners-up was Olivia Henson of Springfield while Alyssa Chandler of Green County, Sydney Wilhelm of Webster Groves, and Ashlyn Hoock of Ladue were announced as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Autumn Black (@autumn_ellece) Rounding out the Top 13 semifinalists were Madison Homer, Elexandria Simon, Hannah Nalley, Jasmine Wells, Destiny Davis, Sy

Miss Central Ohio, Mackenzie Schutt was crowned Miss Ohio USA 2023 in a state competition held on Saturday, May 20 at The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts in Portsmouth. The 27-year-old model and personal trainer from Columbus holds a degree in kinesiology and exercise science from Calvin University (formerly Calvin College) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mackenzie joined the pageant several times before finally winning the title. She succeeds last year's winner and Miss USA 2022 third runner-up Sir'Quora Carroll, and will now represent the state of Ohio at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. Her runners-up for the state title were finalists Emily Quinn, Macy Hudson, Katarina Putnick, Argisa Deda, and Allison Greenwood. Katelyn Zhao, Andrea Hunter, Morgan Murchland, Mercia Stephens, Lillian Kish, Brooke Stanley, Kiyasia Hudson, Allie Moon, Megan Hiler, and Cassandra Ponzi rounded out the Top 16 semifinalists. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Macke

Miss Palm Harbor, Caroline Dixon was crowned Miss Florida USA 2023 on Sunday, May 14 at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts in Coral Springs, Florida. The 25-year-old alumna of the Florida State University succeeded last year's winner Taylor Fulford and will now represent the sunshine state of Florida at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada. Victoria DiSorbo of South Palm Beach County, Narissa Adside of North Holmstead, Samantha Washington of East Miami, Christiana Dinardo of South Boca Raton, and Aileen Cerchiara of Belleaire Beach were announced as runners-up. Rounding out the Top 13 semifinalists were Erika Feazell, Breauna Washington, Briona Jones, Alayzia Christopher, Kelsey Fagan, Katia Gerry, and Juliandra De Jesus. Miss Florida Teen USA 2023 was also held at the same venue and Sharlysse Nelson was announced the winner. She was crowned by her predecessor Alyssa Khan and will now proceed to Miss Teen USA 2023. Her runners-up include Loni Barnes, Savannah Young, Kadance Frederickse