Washington, DC, July 7, 2013 – Representing the District of
Columbia, Candiace Dillard is the newly crowned Miss
United States 2013. The pageant was held from July 2-7, 2013 in
Washington, DC. Dillard had served as Miss District of Columbia United States since
May 5, 2013.
The pageant included contestants from 50 states, DC, Virgin Islands and Guam. Each contestant was reviewed by a panel of judges including Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron, Mrs. United States 2012 Aquilla Q Vang, and The Pageant Planet’s Steven Roddy. The final pageant was emceed by 2010 Miss United States Jessica Black and Project Runway’s celebrated fashion designer Johnathan Kayne.
Dillard is 26 years old, a graduate of Howard University and a DC resident. As Miss United States, Dillard will travel the country in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Dillard also intends to promote her platform “My Sister’s Keeper” to create after school programs of encouragement for young girls. Throughout her reign she will appear as the spokesperson for the Miss United States Organization and its sponsors at a variety of fashion events, social activities and in the media.
“I am blessed and humbled,” said Dillard after the crowning. “I could not be more honored to represent the Miss United States Organization.”
While the Miss United States title is the most high profile of the organization, a unique aspect of the pageant is the inclusion of several age groups from 8-55. All national titles awarded for 2013 include:
- Miss United States- Candiace Dillard (District of Columbia)
- Ms. United States- Jennifer Jones (North Carolina)
- Miss Teen United States- Lexe Richardson (Arizona)
- Miss Junior Teen United States- Savanna Rae Brown (South Carolina)
- Miss Pre-Teen United States- Haley Hood (Tennessee)
- Little Miss United States- Olivia Travis (West Virginia)
Additional District of Columbia titleholders placed in their respective divisions, including Ms. DC Erika Thomas Top Ten and Miss Teen DC Colby Muhammad Top Ten. The Miss DC United States Organization is directed by a former national titleholder, Laura Eilers Clark – 2011 Ms. United States (Virginia), who also oversees Maryland and Delaware pageants.
“The organization could not have asked for a more qualified individual to fill the shoes of Miss United States 2013,” said Clark. “She represents all things we value in this system: character, beauty, poise, intelligence, not to mention she has a fierce walk! This is just the beginning for Candiace Dillard.”
The Miss United States Organization may be contacted via www.missunitedstates.com. The Miss District of Columbia United States Organization may be contacted via www.missdcus.com. The 2014 pageant will be held in May 2014 with preliminaries beginning in the fall.
ABOUT THE MISS UNITED STATES ORGANIZATION
Originated in 1937, the Miss United States Organization is recently recognized as the fastest growing pageant in the nation, providing an avenue of achievement for women and girls ages 8-55. At the local, state, and national level, the program promotes each titleholder's platform for service while acting as a national partner with Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. Other opportunities are provided to titleholders in fashion, media, and community events. The pageant process provides a positive and memorable environment, with focus on encouragement, sisterhood and community. Under the direction of Chris Wilmer, the national Miss United States contest includes the divisions of Miss, Ms., Teen, Junior Teen, Pre Teen and Little Miss, taking place in Washington, DC during Independence Day activities.