Miss US Virgin Islands

Not to be confused with Miss British Virgin Islands or Miss Virgin Islands.

Miss US Virgin Islands Organization
Formation1956 (1956)
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersCharlotte Amalie
Location
Official language
English
National Director
Jaielean Jagrup
Affiliations
Websitemissuniverseunitedstatesvirginislands.com

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 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 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.[1] In 2017, the Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands franchise was granted the license to Miss Universe Organization led by Lulu Orange Tyson of Lulu Orange, Inc.[2][3][4] There was no known license holder of the Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands franchise pageant from 2020 to 2023.[5] As of 2024, the franchise ownership transferred to Jaielean Jagroup[6] with the main winner of the Miss USVI pageant going to Miss Universe in 2024 and 2025.[7]

Titleholders

Year Miss US 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[8] Virgin Islands Festival Queen 1967
1971 Cherrie Raphaelia Creque 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 US Virgin Islands
1979 Linda Torres
1980 Deborah Velisa Mardenborough
1981 Marise 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 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 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 Sponsored by Department of Tourism
2010 Janeisha John
2011 Alexandrya Evans
2014 Angela Gabriel Did not compete at Miss Universe 2014 due to injury.
2016 Carolyn Carter Tom Youth from US Ventures LLC. Directorship
2017 Esonica Veira Lulu Orange Tyson Directorship
2018 Aniska Tonge[9][10] Cynthia Jerry, CEO of Miss Virgin Islands Scholarship Pageant, directorship[9]
2019 Andrea Piecuch[11][12] Lulu Orange Tyson Directorship[11]
2023 Madison Ramsingh[13][14] Jaielean Jagroup Directorship[15]
2024 Stephany Andujar[16][17] Jaielean Jagroup Directorship[18]

Representatives at Big Ten international pageants

Miss Universe US Virgin Islands

  •   : Declared the Winner
  •   : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : 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.
Year Miss US Virgin Islands Placement at Miss Universe Special Awards Notes
2025 TBA
2024 Stephany Andujar[19][20][21] Unplaced Jaielean Jagroup Directorship[18]
Did not compete between 2020—2023
2019 Andrea Piecuch[11][12][22] Unplaced Lulu Orange Tyson Directorship[11]
2018 Aniska Tonge[9] Unplaced Cynthia Jerry, CEO of Miss Virgin Islands Scholarship Pageant, directorship[9]
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 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
2000 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 Did not compete
1995 Kim Marie Ann Boschulte Unplaced
1994 Did not compete
1993 Sheryl Simpson Unplaced
1992 Cathy-Mae Sitaram Unplaced
1991 Monique Lindesay Unplaced
  • Miss Congeniality
 The Lions Club of St. Thomas held the Miss US Virgin Islands — Debra Gottlieb, Helen Hart, Denise Green directorship.
1990 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
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 Top 12
Utta Williams Did not compete Utta scheduled to compete at Miss Universe but withdrew. Her runner-up, Cherrie Raphaelia Creque took over her participation.
Did not compete between 1969—1970
1968 Elodie Sadie Sargeant[8] 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 US Virgin Islands

  •   : Declared the Winner
  •   : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : 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.
Year Miss World US Virgin Islands Placement at Miss World Special Awards Notes
2023 Did not compete
2021 Adisha Penn Did not compete
2020 Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no pageant in 2020
2019 A'yana Phillips Unplaced Previously Miss BVI 2018.[23]
Did not compete between 2017—2018
USVI Representatives from Miss US Paradise
2016 Kyrelle Thomas Unplaced
2015 Jahne Massac Unplaced
2014 Aniska Tonge Unplaced
2013 Petra Cabrera-Badia Unplaced
2012 Taiesa Annique Lashley Unplaced Miss US Paradise Organization — Cyndee's Models in the Isle directorship.
USVI Representative from Miss US Virgin Islands
2011 Esonica Veira Top 15 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.
Miss World US Virgin Islands
2010 Carolyn Carter Unplaced 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.
Miss American Virgin Islands — World / by wearing sash the "American Virgin Islands"
Did not compete between 2006 and 2009
2005 Kmisha-Victoria Counts Top 15
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
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
1981 Did not compete
1980 Palmira Frorup Unplaced
1979 Jasmine Olivia Turner Unplaced
1978 Enid d'Lores Francis Unplaced
1977 Did not compete
1976 Denise La Franque Unplaced Miss World Virgin Islands — official designation from 1976 to 1980.

Miss Earth US Virgin Islands

  •   : Declared the Winner
  •   : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Finished as a special awards winner
Year Miss Earth US Virgin Islands Placement at Miss Earth Special Awards Notes
2024 Brianna McSween[24] Unplaced
2023 Madison Ramsingh[25] Unplaced
Did not compete between 2021—2022
2020 Isabella Bennett Unplaced
2019 Talisha White Unplaced
2018 Did not compete
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 US Virgin Islands
2011 Kara Williams Unplaced
Did not compete between 2008—2010
2007 JeT’aime Cheree Cerge Unplaced

Miss International US Virgin Islands

  •   : Declared the Winner
  •   : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Finished as aspecial awards winner
Year Miss International US Virgin Islands Placement at Miss International Special Awards Notes
2025 Directed by JDP Pageants[26]
Did not compete between 2013—2024
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

  •   : Declared the Winner
  •   : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Finished as a special awards winner
Year Miss Supranational US Virgin Islands Placement at Miss Supranational Special Awards Notes
2024 Bria James TBA
Did not compete between 2021—2023
2020 Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no pageant in 2020
2019 Destani Huffman-Jefferson Unplaced
2013 Esonica Viera 4th runner-up

Miss Cosmo US Virgin Islands

  •   : Declared the Winner
  •   : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Finished as a special awards winner
Year Miss Cosmo US Virgin Islands Placement at Miss Cosmo Special Awards Notes
2024 London Tucker Withdrew[27] 2nd Runner-Up at Miss Grand US Virgin Islands 2024 represented the territory at Miss Cosmo 2024

Miss Grand US Virgin Islands

  •   : Declared the Winner
  •   : Finished as a runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Finished as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Finished as a special awards winner
Year Miss Grand US Virgin Islands Placement at Miss Grand International Special Awards Notes
2024 Shriya Boppana Originally crowned the 1st runner-up at Miss Grand US Virgin Islands 2024, assumed the winner after the original winner's reign was prematurely terminated
2023 Heather Thompson Unplaced Finalist Miss Grand United States 2019
Did not compete between 2019—2022
2018 Morgan Evans[28] Unplaced 1st runner-up Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands 2018[29]
2017 Brianna Key[30] Unplaced 1st runner-up Miss Grand United States 2017
Did not compete in 2016
2015 Petra Cabrera Unplaced
2014 Wilma Echandy[31] Unplaced Queen of Puerto Rico 2012

References

  1. ^ Oliver, M. Cynthia (2009). Queen of the Virgins: Pageantry and Black Womanhood in the Caribbean. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781604732429. JSTOR j.ctt2tvbj8.
  2. ^ "ABOUT MUUSVI". Miss Universe USVI. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  3. ^ "Watch | Displeasure At Results of Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands". V.I. Consortium. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  4. ^ "Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands Lands In Thailand For Miss Universe Pageant Participation". V.I. Consortium. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  5. ^ "Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands Returns". St. Thomas Source. 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  6. ^ @MissUniverse. "Thursday appreciation post for our National Directors". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  7. ^ "Stephany Andujar WIns Miss Universe USVI Title". St. Thomas Source. 2024-08-24. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  8. ^ a b "argeant-Winter remembered for strength & humour". Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d "Aniska Tonge Crowned Miss Virgin Islands". St. Thomas Source. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  10. ^ World, Miss (2014-04-07). "Introducing.... US Virgin Islands!". Miss World. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  11. ^ a b c d "Outrage As Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands Is Won By Someone With No Ties To Territory". The Virgin Islands Consortium. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  12. ^ a b "Exclusive Interview with Andrea Piecuch: Miss Universe 2019 Contestant". SWAGGER Magazine. 2020-05-26. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  13. ^ "MISS USVI MADISON RAMSINGH". St. John Tradewinds News. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  14. ^ "Madison Ramsingh Crowned Miss USVI 2023 | USVI News | WCVI-TV". 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  15. ^ "Two-Point Difference Separates Queen from 1st Runner Up as New Miss USVI is Crowned". The Virgin Islands Consortium. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  16. ^ "Stephany Andujar WIns Miss Universe USVI Title". St. Thomas Source. 2024-08-24. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  17. ^ HEINEMANN, Daily News photo by NICK (2024-08-20). "Stephany Andujar captures Miss Universe USVI title". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  18. ^ a b "Miss Universe U.S. Virgin Islands Returns". St. Thomas Source. 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  19. ^ "Stephany Andujar to represent US Virgin Islands at Miss Universe". Loop News. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  20. ^ Staff (2024-10-14). "Virgin Island and Dominican Beauty Stephany Andujar Aims for the Miss Universe Crown". BlackNews.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  21. ^ NY, Gee (2024-10-14). "Stephany Andujar: Meet The Beauty Queen Hoping To Make History at Miss Universe Pageant as U.S. Virgin Islands Rep". Shine My Crown. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  22. ^ VI Free Press. "Virginia Native To Represent USVI In 2019 Miss Universe Pageant in Atlanta". VI Free Press.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Former Miss BVI A'yana Phillips crowned Miss World USVI". bvinews.com. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  24. ^ "Brianna McSween is Miss Earth US Virgin Islands 2024". instagram. 31 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Miss USVI to Compete at International Miss Earth 2023 Pageant". stthomassource.com. September 19, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  26. ^ @MissInternationalOfficial, @MissInternationalUSVI. "The International RETURN of the US Virgin Islands 🇻🇮". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  27. ^ Global, VietNamNet. "Miss Cosmo 2024: Stunning beauties in bikinis and unexpected falls on stage". vietnamnet.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  28. ^ GRAND (2018-10-01). Miss Grand US Virgin Islands 2018 - Morgan Evans. Retrieved 2025-06-17 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ Hanley, Shanya (2018-08-14). "Miss Universe USVI crowned". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  30. ^ GRAND (2017-10-30). Brianna Key Miss Grand US Virgin Islands 2017. Retrieved 2025-06-17 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ Miss Grand International. "New Photos Miss Wilma Echandy - Miss Grand US Virgin Island 2014". Facebook.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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