Our program was originally set as two distinct organizations: Miss Clovis and Miss City of Fresno / Fresno County

Miss Clovis

Judith Preuss birthed the Miss Clovis Scholarship Program in 1987; creating a wonderful platform for young women to not only represent the great City of Clovis, but to obtain scholarships. Judith helped produce some amazing talent and stayed actively involved in the program for an astounding 32 years! Dedicated to bringing us the very best, her passion bolstered many a titleholder, including Alyssa Bandoni, who would take her place as executive director. In 1987, Suzanne Beth Newhouse was crowned the first Miss Clovis, with Jenna Aluisi being the first Miss Clovis teen crowned in 2006. In 1995, Miss Clovis Tiffany Stoker was crowned as Miss California, and went on to a 3rd runner-up finish at Miss America.

Alyssa Bandoni, eager and willing, revived the Miss Clovis Scholarship Program in 2011 after a brief hiatus. A new mother and former titleholder herself, she breathed new life into the pageant; securing the necessary funding required for the production and scholarships she pushed full steam ahead with her first titleholder, Katelen Weisenberger. Katelen fell in love with the process and chose to stay on in various capacities after 2012 to assist Alyssa: interview prep, talent rehearsal, emcee, and judges chair. She was a constant sidekick to Alyssa to make Clovis a top notch program.

Along with former titleholders, the program boasts many past contestants who have volunteered countless hours (all while pursuing degrees and new careers.) Notably, Miya Ubick, whose backstage magic made the entire program possible. She has, since competing in 2012, managed all the” behind the scenes” and helped secure a theater and stage crew for the program, and provided additional support for the titleholders during their prep.

Many others have stepped up to assist and participate in making this a successful program: Claudette Davis, director of the Princess Program, Keri Allred (former Miss Clovis 1st runner up and Miss Fresno County 2014), Kathy Kelly, Robin and Mike Garth, Marshall Garth, Mary Ellen Feasel and countless mock judges, sponsors, and community members. Their outpouring of love, dedication and support is the very lifeblood of this program. The program was signed over to Adam Smith in 2020.

Miss City of Fresno / Fresno County

Vera Blasdell was crowned the first Miss Fresno County in 1925, followed by Dorothea Huddleston in 1927. Following a hiatus, the program was revived in 1950, and has continually crowned to present day. Melissa Christensen was crowned the first Miss Fresno County Teen in 2022. Miss Fresno County has been crowned as Miss California 3 times: Karen Pursell (1967), Susan Henryson (1961), and Patricia Johns (1953) (Miss California wikipedia).

Beginning in 2005, the Miss Fresno County program was under the directorship of Marie Theurich, known locally as “The Real Estate Lady”. Marie dedicated countless hours of service and money to establishing the Fresno County program as the flagship Miss America local organization in the Central Valley. Known for her style, Fresno County titleholders adored Marie with her motherly affection and eye for pageantry. Marie had a unique ability to gather ad sales for state competition and her titleholders were often recognized as the top ad sales winners among all state candidates. In 2019, she crowned the first ever Miss City of Fresno and was presented with the Miss California legacy award in 2021. In 2022, Marie passed the Miss City of Fresno title over to Adam Smith, the director of Miss Clovis. In 2023, the Miss Fresno County title followed, thereby establishing the Miss Clovis, City of Fresno, and Fresno County as one organization.