Miss USA to Miss USA and Miss Universe beginning with Miss Universe 2015. The modern pageant consists of a preliminary competition held a week before the pageant when all contestants are judged in swimsuit, gown, and interview competitions. Every year, each state holds a preliminary competition to choose their delegate for the Miss USA pageant. In some states (such as Texas and Florida), local pageants are also held to determine delegates for the state competition. The state winners hold the title "Miss State USA" for the year of their reign. The most successful state is Texas, which has had the most semi-finalists
Mary Hinterberger Mary Hinterberger Mary Theresa Hinterberger (January 15, 1954 – January 22, 2009) was the runner-up for title of Miss New York in 1975, later promoted to that title after the winner, Tawny Godin, won the Miss America contest. Hinterberger was born in Buffalo, New York in 1954, and raised in Clifton Park. She was the oldest daughter of seven children. After taking over the title of Miss New York in the Fall of 1975 (when Tawny Godin became Miss America), Hinterberger studied music at SUNY Potsdam. During her reign as Miss New York, she held speaking engagements for various companies