The Miss Nebraska USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Nebraska in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant is directed by Vanbros & Associates, headquartered in Shawnee, Kansas. In 2002, Nebraska joined the Vanbros group of state pageants for the Miss USA and Teen USA system.
Nebraska is one of the least successful states at Miss USA, having only placed 15 times. They were most successful in the 1950s, placing 6 times, with three runner up placements. Until 2018, their highest placement was in 1955 which was 2nd runner up. Belinda Wright's top 15 placement in 2010 was Nebraska's first semi-final placement since 1980 and first to win Miss Congeniality. In 2018, Sarah Rose Summers became the first Miss Nebraska USA to win Miss USA and becoming the 35th state to have the title of Miss USA for the first time. The most recent placement was Audrey Eckert winning the second title for her state.
In 2020, Megan Swanson became the first Miss Nebraska delegate to ever win the state title. Also, she and her sister Allie Swanson, Miss Nebraska 2019, became the first sisters to hold the statewide Miss USA and Miss America titleholders simultaneously.
Audrey Eckert of Lincoln was crowned Miss Nebraska USA 2025 on April 6, 2025 at The Garden Theater in Omaha. She represented Nebraska for the title of Miss USA 2025, and subsequently won the title.
The current titleholder is Emily Lenser of Arapahoe who was crowned Miss Nebraska USA 2026 on June 28, 2026, at The Garden Theater in Omaha. She will represent Nebraska at Miss USA 2026.
Gallery
Results summary Placements Miss USA: Sarah Rose Summers (2018), Audrey Eckert (2025) 2nd runners-up: Donna Jo Streever (1955), Natalie Pieper (2022) 3rd runners-up: Shari Lewis (1956), Carolyn McGirr (1957) Top 10: Emily Lenser (2026) Top 12: Janice Geiler (1973), Rebecca "Becky" Staab (1980) Top 15/16/19/20: Berneta Nelson (1953), Margie Winkhoff (1954), Dee Kjeldgaard (1958), Gail Weinstock (1961), Belinda Wright (2010), Amanda Soltero (2014), Erika Etzelmiller (2021)
Nebraska holds a record of 16 placements at Miss USA.
Awards Miss Photogenic: Janice Geiler (1973) Honorable Mention: Stacey Skidmore (2002) Miss Congeniality: Belinda Wright (2010) Best in Swimsuit: Audrey Eckert (2025)
Winners
Color key
Year Name HometownAge Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes 2026 Emily Lenser Arapahoe 25 Miss West Omaha Top 10 2025 Samantha Washington Lincoln 27 Miss South Lincoln colspan="2" Originally first runner-up; assumed the title when Audrey Eckert won Miss USA Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2017 Previously Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen 2013 Audrey Jolynn Eckert Lincoln 23 Miss Lincoln Miss USA 2025 Best in Swimsuit Top 30 semifinalist at Miss Universe 2025 Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2020 3rd Runner-Up at Miss Teen USA 2020 2024 Kamryn "Kami" Buchanan Lincoln 24 Miss South Lincoln 2023 Amelia "Mimi" Wood Omaha 23 Miss West Omaha 2022 Natalie Pieper Lincoln 26 Miss Douglas County 2nd runner-up 2021 Erika Etzelmiller Lincoln 23 Miss South Lincoln Top 16 Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2016 2020 Megan Swanson Omaha 26 Miss Millard Previously Miss Nebraska 2014 Sister of Allie Swanson, Miss Nebraska 2019 2019 Alexis "Lex" Nicole Najarian Lincoln 23 Miss Capital City Daughter of Peter Najarian 2018 Breanna "Bree" Coffey Valley 24 Miss Valley colspan="2" Originally first runner-up; assumed the title when Sarah Rose Summers won Miss USA Later competed in Miss Nebraska USA 2020, placed in semifinals Sarah Rose Summers Omaha 23 Miss Omaha Miss USA 2018 Previously National American Junior Miss 2010 Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2012 Top 20 semifinalist at Miss Universe 2018 2017 Jasmine Jade Fuelberth Norfolk 20 Miss Norfolk Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2013 Awarded Miss Congeniality at Miss Teen USA 2013 2016 Sarah Elizabeth Hollins Omaha 25 Miss North Douglas County Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2009 Appeared on We TV Obsessed with the Dress 2015 Hoang-Kim Cung Grand Island 23 Miss Grand Island Previously National American Miss 2012–2013 2014 Amanda Soltero Columbus 22 Miss East Lincoln Top 20 Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2010 2013 Ellie Lorenzen Omaha 21 Miss Omaha 2012 Amy Marie Spilker Malcolm 21 Miss Malcolm 2011 Haley Jo Herold Omaha 23 Miss Greater Omaha 2010 Belinda Renee Wright Scotia 21 Miss Greeley County Top 15 Miss Congeniality 2009 Meagan Winings Atkinson 22 Miss Sandhills Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2004 Top 10 finalist at Miss Teen USA 2004 First Miss Nebraska Teen USA to make the semifinals at Miss Teen USA. 2008 Micaela Johnson Omaha 23 Miss Douglas County Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Squad Member 2003-2005 2007 Geneice Wilcher Omaha 26 Miss North Omaha 2006 Emily Poeschl Lincoln 21 Miss Lincoln 2005 Jana Murrell Omaha 23 2004 Guerin Austin Omaha 24 2003 Jessica Perea Omaha 22 First Latina to win title 2002 Stacey Skidmore Omaha 19 Honorable Mention 2001 Su Joing Drakeford Bellevue 23 USAF Airman 1995–1999, Miss Teen Omaha 1996, Later Mrs. Maryland 2015 2000 Valerie Cook Omaha 25 1999 WaLynda Lou Sipple Previously Miss Michigan Teen USA 1992 Mother of Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2024 Maggie Wadginski 1998 Jennifer Naro 1997 Kimberly Jane Weir Lincoln 21 1996 Kerry Lynn Kemper 24 1995 Chandelle Peacock Omaha 1994 Shawn Wolff 1993 Tish Gade Lincoln 1992 Jeanna Margaret Blom 1991 Ziba Ayeen Native of Afghanistan 1990 Angela Humphrey 1989 Renee Harter 1988 Kellie O'Neil 1987 Amy Anderson Kearney 1986 Ellen Withrow Papillion 1985 Lori Leigh Straight Omaha 1984 Joan Marie "Joni" Rundall Omaha 1983 Penelope Boynton Lincoln 1982 Lori Lynn Novicki Omaha 1981 Ladonna Hill Seward 1980 Rebecca Ann "Becky" Staab Ralston 18 Top 12 Played Jessie Matthews on Guiding Light 1979 Rhonda Lundberg McCook 1978 Shari Alyce Reimers 1977 Deb Ridge Hastings 1976 Catherine Fricke 1975 Mary Lee Hoth Omaha 1974 Mary Wolff 1973 Janice Elaine Geiler Ralston 21 Top 12 1972 Theresa Engels 1971 Lola Butler 1970 Mary Bonneau "Bonnie" McElveen Bellevue 1969 Marily Poole 1968 Linda J. Dresher 1967 Cheryl "Cherrie" Moore Omaha 18 1966 Karen Weinfurtner Omaha 1965 Constance Lynne "Connee" Kellogg 1964 Georgia Ann Merriam 1963 Sandy S. Zimmer 1962 No Representative 1961 Gail Weinstock Semi-Finalist 1960 No Representative 1959 Priscilla Eckrish 1958 Dee Kjeldgaard Semi-Finalist 1957 Carolyn McGirr 3rd Runner-Up Finished as 4th runner-up, but succeeded to 3rd runner-up when the 3rd runner-up took the place of the 2nd runner-up 1956 Shari Lewis 3rd Runner-Up 1955 Donna Jo Streever 2nd Runner-Up 1954 Margie Winkhoff Semi-Finalist 1953 Berneta Nelson Semi-Finalist 1952 colspan="7"
References
External links Official Website