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Taylor Kessler Wins the 2020 USA® Crown

Houston, TX, September 1, 2019 – Taylor Leigh Kessler, who competed as Miss Lone Star, was crowned MISS TEXAS USA® 2020 on Sunday, from a competitive field of 82 contestants from throughout Texas. The 23-year-old, 5’9” brown-eyed beauty will soon graduate from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Communications/Broadcast Productions. Her goal of becoming a Sports and Entertainment Reporter will be one step closer as she does some sideline reporting for Sam Houston State this year. Taylor works in social media/marketing and modeling, and advocates for victims of domestic violence

In addition to representing the Great State of Texas in the 2020 MISS USA® pageant, Miss Kessler wins a prize package that includes travel, clothing, jewelry, modeling opportunities, and much more. Hosting and serving as judge were several former Miss Texas USA titleholders including Stephanie Kuehne-Kissner (1990), Angie Sisk McKernan (1993), Holly Mills-Gardner (1998), Heather Ogilvie Regimbald (2000), Magen Ellis Cherry (2007), Sebrechts (Miss USA 2008), Kelsey Moore Wheeler (2010), Ylianna Guerra Dadashi (2015), Daniella Rodriguez (2016), Nancy Gonzalez (2017), and Logan Lester (2018) along with Albert Soliz. Alayah Benavidez, the outgoing Miss Texas USA, crowned her successor, and Miss Texas Teen USA 2019, Kennedy Edwards, was a special guest.

Miss , Morgan Pointon, was named first runner-up. Rounding out the Top Five were second runner-up Miss Helotes, Taylor Harmon (also winning the Photogenic and Congeniality Awards); third runner-up Miss Friendswood, Lesha Wincher (Best in Swimsuit); and fourth runner-up Miss Laredo, Chelsea Morgensen.

Other contestants selected as top nineteen semifinalists were Miss Austin, Jessica Eatman; Miss Border City, Christa Schafer; Miss Capital City, Paige Vasquez; Miss , Caroline Jones; Miss Dallas County, Rachel Hornbuckle; Miss Dripping Springs, Mackenzie Lawrence; Miss El Paso, Annie Johnson; Miss Fort Worth, Janessa Jones; Miss H-Town, Sydni Leonard; Miss Houston, Blaine Ochoa; Miss Rio Grande Valley, Maelia Salcines (winner of the People’s Choice Award), Miss Sun City, Siria Bojorquez; Miss Third Ward, Hannah Johannes, and Miss Westchase, Priscilla Londono.

The People’s Choice contest raised over $14,000 to be donated to the Texas Wounded Warriors Foundation.