The Miss Montana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Montana in the Miss USA pageant. From 1994 to 2007, it was directed by Carol Hirata and the Carlton Group, based in Bellvue, Colorado. In 2012, it was taken by Pageants NW Productions based in Puyallup, Washington until 2021. From 2021 through early 2025 (prior to the 2025 contest), the pageant was based in Great Falls, Montana under organization by Lime Light Enterprises, with its State Director being Lisa Pierce. Since early 2025, the directorship has been vacant.
Miss Montana USA 2005 Amanda Kimmel was chosen to represent the United States in the 2005 Miss Earth pageant. Although she did not place at Miss USA, Kimmel finished in the Top 8 at Miss Earth and was later selected to participate in Survivor: China, Survivor: Micronesia and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.
Lisbeth Fernández of Miami, FL was appointed Miss Montana USA on July 30th, 2026 after the open casting call from Thomas Brodeur, the new owner of the national pageant. She later represented Montana at Miss USA 2026, finishing in the top 20, ending a 68-year placement drought for the state.
Gallery of winners
Results summary Placements Top 10: Valerie Jackson (1952) Top 15/20: Dawn Oney (1954), Sharon D. Tietjen (1958), Lisbeth Fernández (2026) Montana holds a record of 4 placements at Miss USA.
Awards Miss Congeniality: Robbin English (1980), Meredith McCannel (2002), Stephanie Trudeau (2007)
Winners Color key
Year Name HometownAge1 Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes 2026 Lisbeth Fernández Miami, FL 28 Miss Pinecrest Top 20 2025 Juliana Wilson Nashville, TN 36 Miss Paradise Valley First runner-up at Miss Montana USA 2024 2024 Shelby Dangerfield Billings 30 Miss Billings 2023 Madyson Rigg Kalispell 26 Miss Glacier 2022 Heather Lee O'Keefe Bozeman 24 Expected to become the longest reigning titleholder at 2021 Jami Forseth Huntley 23 Previously Miss Montana Teen USA 2016 2020 Merissa Underwood Bozeman 27 2019 Grace Zitzer Dillon 27 2018 Dani Walker Billings 27 Miss Yellowstone County Previously National American Miss California Jr. Teen 2006 & National American Miss California Teen 2009. Competed in Miss California USA several times. Appeared on MTV reality show Parental Control 2017 Brooke Bezanson Missoula 19 Miss Missoula County 2016 Sibahn Doxey Frenchtown 22 Miss West Valley Previously Miss Montana Teen USA 2011 2015 Tahnee Peppenger Great Falls 26 2014 Kadie Latimer Kalispell 23 2013Kacie West Kalispell23 Miss Flathead Previously Miss Montana 2010 2012 Autumn Muller Harlowton 25 Previously Miss Montana Teen USA 2004 2011 Brittany Wiser Bozeman 23 Previously Miss Montana 2009. 2010 Elizabeth Anne Anseth Billings 19 2009 Misti Vogt Kalispell 23 2008 Tori Wanty Shelby 21 2007 Stephanie Trudeau Saint Ignatius 20 Miss Congeniality 2006 Jill McLain Havre 21 2005 Amanda Kimmel Billings 20 Miss Earth USA 2005 and top 8 finalist at Miss Earth 2005, Survivor: China, Survivor: Micronesia, and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains contestant. 2004 Molly Flynn Townsend 22 2003 Megan Monroe Missoula 22 2002 Meredith McCannel Billings 20 Miss Congeniality Miss Congeniality at National Sweetheart 2005 & Miss Congeniality at Miss Earth USA 2006 2001 CaCe Hardy Kalispell 18 2000 Brandi Bjorklund Bonner 1999 Michon Zink 1998 Reno Wittman 1997 Christin Didier Lewistown 24 Honorable Mention 1996 Tanya Pogatchnik 21 1995 Angela Janich 1994 Kelly Brown 1993 Kristen Anderson Columbia Falls Previously Miss Montana Teen USA 1988 1992 Joy Estrada 1991 Joann Kayleen Jorgensen Helena 22 Later Miss Montana 1992 1990 Kimberlee Burger 1989 Tammy Reiter Billings 1988 Kimberly Torp Missoula 1987 Constance "Connie" Colla Great Falls First runner-up at Miss Montana USA 1986 1986 Laurie Ryan Belgrade 20 1985 Julie Georgiana Knox Columbus 1984 Kristi Ogren Frenchtown 1983 Barbara Bowman Great Falls 1982 Pierrette "Perri" Stevenson Bozeman 19 Second runner-up at Miss Montana USA 1981 1981 Cathi Jo Locati Billings 19 Miss Eastern Montana 1980 Robbin English Great Falls Miss Congeniality 1979 Jurrette Sindelar Billings 1978 Susan Riplett Billings 1977 Theresa Rose Bajt Billings 1976 Teresa Jane Klaus Great Falls 1975 Suzanne DeMier Great Falls 1974 Carole Aalseth Billings 1973 Jeri Joy Shandorf Missoula 1972 Mitriann Popovich Butte 1971 Rebecca Lou Thomas Billings 1970 Moreen Ann Murphy Helena 1969 Christina Jovin Missoula 1968 Kerry Barker Billings 1967 Stevie M. Lahti Wolf Creek 21 Later Miss Rodeo Montana 1967 Later participated in the 1968 Rose Parade 1966 Carol Marie Boetcher Great Falls 1965 Patricia Bradford 1961–1964 Did Not Compete 1960 Joanne Lane 1959 Bar-beth Smith 1958 Sharon D. Tietjen Semi-finalist (Top 15) Later Miss Montana 1959 1955–1957 Did Not Compete 1954 Dawn Oney Semi-finalist (Top 20) 1953 Billie Jean Tyrrell 1952 Valerie Jackson Semi-finalist (Top 10) 1951Patricia McGinty 1 Age at the time of the Miss USA pageant
References
External links
Official Website