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Universal Pageant System
It's Nice To Be Important, But It's More Important To Be Nice!
Past Royalty
An official timeline of those that have donned the crown and some of the events that occurred as they got there.
Our Little Miss Historical Timeline
Past Royalty
1962
Pageant founded by Marge Hannaman. Trademark applications made in Washington, D.C. as “first” international children’s beauty and talent pageant. Manufactured trophy figurine of the official silhouette. First pageant in Louisiana.
1963
World pageant held in New Orleans, Louisiana at Roosevelt Hotel (48 participants from 22 states). Winner given $1,000 prize trip to New York and Washington, where she was presented at the Congressional Ball. Our Little Miss-Debbie Smith (CA); Miss La Petite-Connie Munson (LA); Talent winner-Debbie McDonald (LA).
1964
Biloxi, Mississippi (66 participants from 23 states). $1, 500 in college scholarships initiated through the International Scholarship Foundation. Our Little Miss– Susan Taylor (LA); Miss La Petite –Roanne Green (LA); Talent Winner– Betty Irene Pope (LA).
1965
Pageant sold to Universal Productions & Publications, Inc. by Young Artists, Inc. Under new president, Carl Dunn, staging plan was developed, including the first “total” pageant kit. Pageants systematized with staging handbook and judging procedure.
1966
Dallas, Texas at Apparel Mart (123 participants from 33 states, 10 major cities, 6 foreign countries). Endorsed by Children’s Wear Board of Governors. Wardrobes to each participant. Mister Lynn named “Lifetime Pageant Host.” Our Little Miss Joleen Troop (TX); Miss La Petite– Dana Janae Cook (CA); Talent Winner– Debbie Kamman (IL).
1967
Dallas, Texas at Apparel Mart (136 participants from 33 states, 11 major cities, 6 foreign countries). First World winner, Debbie Smith (a Hollywood starlet for Disney Studios), was a guest star Television pilot via closed circuit TV. Our Little Miss– Debbie Kennington (LA); Miss La Petite– Jill Lott (TX); Talent Winner– Deanne Shutter (NY). Sybil Anderson of Nonwich (CN) names first World Ideal Miss.
1968
Dallas, Texas at Apparel Mart (144 participants from 33 states, 10 major cities, 4 foreign countries). Televised in color by KDTV. Our Little Miss– Lori Smith (TX); Miss La Petite– Rhonda Cox (NM); Talent Winner– Shannon Baker (TX); World’s Ideal Miss Pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the Capitol House Hotel. Ideal Miss Sherry Norvell (TX); Talent Winner– Charlene Casciotti (PA).
1969
Dallas, Texas at Apparel Mart (177 participants from 33 states, 11 major cities, 6 foreign countries). Picture program book initiated for scholarship fund. Our Little Miss– Lauri Lynn Huffaker (TX); Miss La Petite– Cathy Colvin (LA); Talent Winner– Judee Uhrinec (NY). World’s Ideal Miss Pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Capitol House Hotel. Ideal Miss– Jacqueline Teresa Wright (TN); Talent Winner– Debbie Ray (CA).
1970
(250 participants from 33 states, 18 major cities, 6 foreign countries). Televised live coast-to-coast on UBC Television Network. Guest stars were Frankie Avalon and Shari Lewis. Our Little Miss-Siobhan Sullivan (TN); Miss La Petite– Jessica Buss (CA); Talent Winner– Lynn Adrian Huck (FL); World’s Ideal Miss in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Capitol House Hotel. Ideal Miss– Debbie Palmer (TX); Talent Winner– Andrea Alonzo (FL).
1971
Miami Beach, Florida at Fontainebleu Hotel (256 participants from 39 states, 21 major cities, 4 foreign countries). Televised nationwide syndication. Guest star was Debbie Smith, original World’s Our Little Miss. Combination staging kit and press kit were introduced. Official jewelry manufactured. Universal Registration 8 Insurance Division founded. Up Girl Sorority and Magazine initiated. “Junior” became official pageant mascot. Only children’s talent pageant named in “There She is… “A history of pageants. Our Little Miss- Monica Tarpenning (WA); Miss La Petite– Sherry Krantz (TX); Talent Winner– Linda Kelly (FL); World’s Ideal Miss held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Independence Hall. Ideal Miss– Candy Crocker (TX); Talent Winner– Ramona Le Vasseur (LA); Ideal Miss Photogenic– Pamela Player (MS).
1972
New Orleans, Louisiana at Rivergate Auditorium (269 participants from 39 states, 21 major cities, Mexico and Holland). 30 minute television documentary in commemoration of 10th Anniversary New recording of the theme song. District Pageant System, Winner’s Circle and Honor Roll Inaugurated. Purchased facilities covering half city block for offices, printing plant, and manufacturing. Our Little Miss– Jennifer Childers (FL); Miss La Petite—Debbie Kay O’Donnell (TX); Talent Winner– Anita Catlin (OH). World’s Ideal Miss Pageant moved to Baylor University in Waco, Texas International Youth Conference initiated as part of the World finals. Ideal Miss– Trudy Padgett (TX); Talent Winner– Tami Jo Whitmire (TX); Ideal Miss Photogenic—Gayle Riddick (LA); Essay Award– Suzy Shaw (FL).
1973
New Orleans, Louisiana at Rivergate Auditorium (279 participants from 40 states, 21 major cities, 6 foreign countries). Miss Photogenic extended to all divisions as scholarship program Scholarships increased to $10,500 annually (surpasses & 30,000 with recipients attending five universities.) Our Little Miss– Yvonne Granger (CO); Miss La Petite– Lacy Kelly (LA); Talent Winner– Nicholle Fusillo (FL). World’s Ideal Miss Pageant at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Ideal Miss– Linda Plowman (AL); Talent Winner– Linda Pailer (MO); Essay Award– Suzy Shaw (FL); Ideal Miss Photogenic– Becky Walker (LA); Our Little Miss Photo-genic– Kristi Henley (TN); Miss La Petite Photogenic– Sandra Owens (TX).
1974
Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the $12 million dollar LSU Assembly Center Purchased downtown “landmark” building for executive offices introduced full– color entry blanks, posters, program book covers. “Universal Girl” and Mr. Pageants USA” instituted. Established “Who’s Who in Modeling & Beauty Pageants.” Founded first “Beauty Pageant & Modeling Hall of Fame.” Our Little Miss- Sandra Frick (FL); Miss La Petite— Susan Leavell (LA); Talent Winner– Kerry Alexander (AR); Ideal Miss– Donna Kirkpatrick (AR); Talent Winner– Linda Phillips (CA); Essay Award– Yvonne Hinojosa (Mexico); Ideal Miss Photogenic– Suzanne Anderson (MN); Our Little Miss Photogenic– Caren Patterson (LA); Miss La Petite Photogenic– Judith Thompson (FL); Universal Girl– Pat Hutchinson (LA); Mr. Pageants USA– J. David Westerfield (TX).
1975
Baton Rouge, Louisiana at LSU Assembly Center. Marge Hannaman, founder of Our Little Miss, purchased all stock of corporation and became sole owner. Our Little Miss– Kelly Parsons (FL); Miss La Petite– Kellie Rials (MS); Ideal Miss– Ivet Hinojosa (Mexico); Talent Winners– Angela Estill (AR); Kelly Burch (TN); Photogenic Winners– Suzanne Wagner (GA), Kelli Hodges (TX), Daphne Davis (AL).
1976
Baton Rouge, Louisiana at LSU Assembly Center Finals televised live over WBRZ– Baton Rouge; Remote WMC Memphis; Teri Hannaman TV Producer; Five OLM girls starred on Walt Disney’s Mouseketeers, including Kelly Parsons, 1975 World OLM. Our Little Miss– Alexis Kelly (GA); Miss La Petite—Kristie Rivers (AL); Ideal Miss-Kathy Twitty (TN); Talent Winners– Ginger Cochran (AL); Wil’L Wyn Wallance (TX). Photogenic Winners- Robyn White (TX); Sherri Manuel (AR); Helen Alcott (AR).
1977
Niagara Falls, NY/Canada. Staging held at Niagara Falls Convention-Center. Awards Breakfast in Canada; CBS 60 Minutes covered a full week of the pageant and aired Sept. 11, 1977; Morley Safer narrated; Marge Hannaman interviewed on the news program To Tell the Truth taped on Sept. 23, 1977; Marge Hannaman, principal character. Our Little Miss– Karen Evans (FL). Miss La Petite– Lindsey King (CA); Talent Winners- Jenna Schweppe (MO); Wendy Ownes (NC); Photogenic Winners-Nicole Eggert (CA), Tina Payne (TX), Tamila Whitener (OK).
1978
Miami Beach, Florida at Fontainbleu Hilton Hotel. Universal opened state pageants for the first time to Ideal Miss. Our Little Miss– Tina Payne (TX); Miss La Petite– Paige Coffman (FL); Ideal Miss– Trudy Stolz (CA); Talent Winners– Cynthia McAbee (OH), Monique Key (AL); Photogenic Winners– Danielle Laird (TX), Sandi Turnage (MS), Kari Foster (TN).
1979