Miss US Virgin Islands

Miss U.S. Virgin Islands Organization
Formation	1956
Type	Beauty Pageant
Headquarters	Charlotte Amalie
Location	US Virgin Islands;
Membership	Miss Universe; Miss World; Miss Earth; Miss International;
Official language	English
President	Lulu Orange Tyson
Key people	Lulu Orange Inc.
Website	missuniverseusvi.com

Aniska Tonge is crowned Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands on August 11, 2018 in St. Thomas

Miss U.S. 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 U.S. Virgin Islands.

Franchise Ownership and Extended History

The Miss U.S. 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 U.S. Virgin Islands Carnival Committee. In franchise history, Cherrie Raphaelia Creque has been the only Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands to place in the Top 12 at Miss Universe. The only other international pageant finalist from the U.S 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 U.S Virgin Islands title belonged to The Lions Club of St. Thomas and also to Debra Gottlieb; a local staple in pageantry.^[1]

Titleholders

Year	Miss U.S. Virgin Islands	Notes
Miss Virgin Islands
1956	Miriam Edna Golden	Semifinalist at Miss United States
1961	Priscila Bonilla	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^[2]	Virgin Islands Festival Queen 1967
1971	Cherrie Raphaelia Creque^[3]	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
Miss U.S. Virgin Islands
1979	Linda Torres
1980	Deborah Velisa Mardenborough
1981	Marise Cecile James
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	The Lions Club of St. Thomas held the Miss U.S. 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	Miss U.S. 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	Sponsored by Department of Tourism
2010	Janeisha John
2011	Alexandrya Evans
2014	Angela Gabriel	Did not compete at Miss Universe 2014 after suffering an arm injury.
2016	Carolyn Carter^[4]	Tom Youth from US Ventures LLC. Directorship
2017	Esonica Veira	Lulu Orange Tyson Directorship
2018	Aniska Tonge
2019	Andrea Piecuch

Representatives at Big Four international pageants

Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands

: Declared as Winner
: Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
: Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
: Ended as special awards winner

The winner of Miss U.S. 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 U.S. Virgin Islands was not held in 2000, 2003-2004, 2008-2009, 2012-2013, and in 2015. It made a return in 2016.

Year	Miss U.S. Virgin Islands	Placement at Miss Universe	Special Awards	Notes
Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no representative in 2020—present
2019	Andrea Piecuch	Unplaced
2018	Aniska Tonge	Unplaced
2017	Esonica Veira	Unplaced		Lulu Orange Tyson Directorship — Esonica was 4th Runner-up at Miss Supranational 2013 and Top 15 at Miss World 2011
2016	Carolyn Carter^[5]	Unplaced	Best National Costume (Top 12)	Tom Youth from US Ventures LLC. Directorship
2015	Did not compete
2014	Angela Gabriel	Did not compete		Gabriel was set to fly to Florida to compete at Miss Universe but withdrew after she suffered an arm injury
Did not compete between 2012—2013
2011	Alexandrya Evans	Unplaced
2010	Janeisha John	Unplaced
Did not compete between 2008—2009
2007	Renata Christian	Unplaced		Sponsored by Department of Tourism
2006	JeT’aime Cerge Grant	Unplaced
2005	Tricia Homer	Unplaced	Miss Congeniality
Did not compete between 2003—2004
2002	Merlisa Rhonda George	Unplaced	Miss Congeniality
2001	Lisa Hasseba Wynne	Unplaced
Did not compete in 2000
1999	Sherece Shurmain Smith	Unplaced		Miss U.S. Virgin Islands "The Essence of the Caribbean", held at Wyndham Sugar Resorts, St. Thomas
1998	Leah Webster	Unplaced
1997	Vania Thomas	Unplaced
Did not compete in 1996
1995	Kim Marie Ann Boschulte	Unplaced
Did not compete in 1994
1993	Sheryl Simpson	Unplaced
1992	Cathy-Mae Sitaram	Unplaced
1991	Monique Lindesay	Unplaced	Miss Congeniality	The Lions Club of St. Thomas held the Miss U.S. Virgin Islands — Debra Gottlieb, Helen Hart, Denise Green Directorship
Did not compete in 1990
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
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
1971	Cherrie Raphaelia Creque^[6]	Top 12		Miss Cariba 1971
Did not compete between 1969—1970
1968	Elodie Sadie Sargeant^[7]	Unplaced
1967	Gail Garrison	Unplaced		Miss Virgin Islands — Sam King (Owner of Pan American Finishing School and carnival committee)
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
Did not compete between 1957—1960
1956	Miriam Edna Golden	Did not compete		Semifinalist at Miss United States beauty pageant — The Miss V.I competed at Miss United States, not Miss Universe

Miss World U.S. Virgin Islands

: Declared as Winner
: Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
: Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
: Ended as special awards winner

Between 1976 and 1980, it was unknown how the delegates representing the U.S. 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. In 2011 the 1st Runners-up of Miss U.S. Virgin Islands represented the U.S territory at the Miss World pageant. 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.

Year	Miss World U.S. Virgin Islands	Placement at Miss World	Special Awards	Notes
2021	Adisha Penn	Did not compete
2020	Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no pageant in 2020
2019	A'yana Phillips	Unplaced	Miss World Talent (Top 27)	Previously Miss BVI 2018^[8]
Did not compete between 2017—2018
USVI Representatives from Miss U.S. Paradise
2016	Kyrelle Thomas	Unplaced
2015	Jahne Massac	Unplaced
2014	Aniska Tonge	Unplaced
2013	Petra Cabrera-Badia	Unplaced	Miss World Beach Beauty (Top 32)
2012	Taiesa Annique Lashley	Unplaced	Miss World Talent (Top 25)	Miss U.S. Paradise Organization — Cyndee’s Models in the Isle Directorship
USVI Representative from Miss U.S. Virgin Islands
2011	Esonica Veira	Top 15	Miss World Talent (Top 11) Beauty With a Purpose (Top 30) Miss World Beach Beauty (Top 36)	The 1st Runner-up of Miss U.S. Virgin Islands represented the territory at Miss World 2011 — In 2011 the Miss U.S. Virgin Islands franchised the Miss World license
Miss World U.S. Virgin Islands
2010	Carolyn Carter	Unplaced	Miss World Sport (Top 20)	American Virgin Islands changed name as U.S. Virgin Islands — Cyndee’s Models in the Isle has received the licensing rights to host the selection for the U.S. Virgin Islands
Miss American Virgin Islands — World / by wearing sash the "American Virgin Islands"
Did not compete between 2006—2009
2005	Kmisha-Victoria Counts	Top 15	Miss World Talent
Did not compete between 2003—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
1989	Vania Thomas	Top 10	Miss World Caribbean
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
Miss World Virgin Islands — official designation
Did not compete in 1981
1980	Palmira Frorup	Unplaced
1979	Jasmine Olivia Turner	Unplaced
1978	Enid d'Lores Francis	Unplaced
Did not compete in 1977
1976	Denise La Franque	Unplaced		Miss World Virgin Islands — official designation from 1976 to 1980

Miss Earth U.S. Virgin Islands

: Declared as Winner
: Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
: Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
: Ended as special awards winner

Year	Miss Earth U.S. Virgin Islands	Placement at Miss Earth	Special Awards
Did not compete in 2021
2020	Isabella Bennett	Unplaced
2019	Talisha White	Unplaced
Did not compete in 2018
2017	Kaylee Carlberg	Unplaced
Did not compete between 2015—2016
2014	Esonica Veira	Unplaced	Talent Competition Teacher Challenge
2013	Vanessa Mari Donastorg	Unplaced
2012	Carolyn Carter	Unplaced	Evening Gown Competition Walk with M.E I Love My Planet School Campaign
USVI Representative from Miss U.S. Virgin Islands
2011	Kara Williams	Unplaced
Did not compete between 2008—2010
2007	JeT’aime Cheree Cerge	Unplaced

Miss International U.S. Virgin Islands

: Declared as Winner
: Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
: Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
: Ended as special awards winner

Year	Miss International U.S. Virgin Islands	Placement at Miss International	Special Awards	Notes
Did not compete since 2013—Present
2012	Vanessa Mari Donastorg	Unplaced		The 1st Runner-up of Miss U.S. Paradise represented the territory at Miss International 2012 — In 2012 the Miss U.S. Paradise franchised the Miss International license

References

^ "Queen of the Virgins: Pageantry and Black Womanhood in the Caribbean". JSTOR j.ctt2tvbj8. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ "argeant-Winter remembered for strength & humour". Retrieved 27 April 2013.
^ "Supernovas of Miss Universe". Retrieved 23 June 2013.
^ "Carolyn Carter is Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands 2016". Retrieved 5 May 2016.
^ "Carolyn Carter is Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands 2016". Retrieved 5 May 2016.
^ "Supernovas of Miss Universe". Retrieved 23 June 2013.
^ "argeant-Winter remembered for strength & humour". Retrieved 27 April 2013.
^ "Former Miss BVI A'yana Phillips crowned Miss World USVI". bvinews.com. Retrieved 7 October 2019.

External links

missuniverseusvi.com

[1] "Queen of the Virgins: Pageantry and Black Womanhood in the Caribbean". JSTOR j.ctt2tvbj8. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[2] "argeant-Winter remembered for strength & humour". Retrieved 27 April 2013.

[3] "Supernovas of Miss Universe". Retrieved 23 June 2013.

[4] "Carolyn Carter is Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands 2016". Retrieved 5 May 2016.

[5] "Carolyn Carter is Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands 2016". Retrieved 5 May 2016.

[6] "Supernovas of Miss Universe". Retrieved 23 June 2013.

[7] "argeant-Winter remembered for strength & humour". Retrieved 27 April 2013.

[8] "Former Miss BVI A'yana Phillips crowned Miss World USVI". bvinews.com. Retrieved 7 October 2019.

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