1957 Miss Nevada
15 CONTESTANTS/SPONSORS (TALENT)
- Loni Gravelle, Reno Hotelmen’s Association, Piano
- Elizabeth Colton (1st Runner-up), Sparks Lions Club, Vocal “Lord’s Prayer”
- Saundra Meek (Top 7), Las Vegas Elks Lodge, Dance
- Billie Mae Morris (Top 7), South Reno Lions Club, Ballet dance
- Sharon Price (Top 7), Las Vegas Lions Club, Speech about a career in Architecture
- Elizabeth Boyd (Top 7), Elko Lions Club, Reading
- Pat Smith (Top 7), South Shore Lake Tahoe Lions Club, Piano
- Joyce Etchebarren (Congeniality), W.H. Wine Construction, Speaking
- Billie Jean Hudson, Reno Arch Lions, Vocal
- Rosalind Wyant, Fallon Lions Club, Speaking
- Claudia Tidwell, Ely Lions Club, Music & Dancing
- Elaine Cali, Golden Horseshoe in Las Vegas, Vocal
- Charlotte Sheldon, VFW Battleborn Post 9211, Song & Dance
- Terry Lee Jeffers, Las Vegas 49er Lions Club, Art & Dancing
- Anna Marie Plummer, Fallon Lions Club, Dramatics
Loni Jess Gravelle
Hometown: Reno
Age (at crowning): 19
School: University of Colorado
College Major: Unknown
Scholarship Winnings: $2500
- $1000 scholarship awarded to Miss Nevada along with a $500 Philco Miss America television set
Platform: Unknown
Talent: Classical Piano
Fun Facts:
- Was injured in an automobile accident while traveling to a public appearance a month before Miss America. She was traveling to LA for TV Show appearance on “Queen for a Day”
- After winning Miss Nevada, she flew to Idaho where she performed her talent and crowned the new Miss Idaho
- Starred in TV show “Vagabond” that was filmed in Lake Tahoe/Reno area
- Quotes
- “I would recommend it for the experience and the fun, to say nothing of the scholarship”
- “I enjoyed everything about it; and the experience is invaluable”
Miss America:
- Top 10 Finalist at Miss America and finished in 6th Place
- Won $1000 scholarship as a finalist at Miss America
- Won $500 scholarship as Miss Congeniality
- Roommate & classmate with Miss Colorado 1957, who won Miss America that year, Marilyn Van Derbur
- Distributed Carson City dollars to contestants and officials at Miss America
Legacy:
- Married Russell Byloff
