Miss California 2024 is Kimberly Vernon of Santa Clara County


Bay Area native representing Santa Clara County, Kimberly Vernon, was crowned Miss California 2024 on Saturday, June 15 at the Visalia Convention Center.

The 27-year-old artist, educator and advocate for the arts triumphed over 40 other contestants to win the state title during the pageant's 100th anniversary celebration.

She succeeds last year's winner Sabrina Lewis and will now prepare to represent California at the Miss America 2025 competition.

Mikaela Harris of San Fernando Valley was named first runner-up while Taylor Yamane of Inland Empire, Kirstin Yvonne Bangs of Central California, and Bailey Farren of San Francisco were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively.

Miss Fresno County's Teen Keira Bixler clinched the title of Miss California's Teen 2024. The Redwood High School senior student will proceed to compete in Miss America's Teen 2025.

The new Miss California is currently working as an operations and marketing associate at the largest marketplace for formalwear, Queenly.

Kimberly graduated magna cum laude from California State University Fullerton where she double-majored in Theatre and Cinema Television Arts and minored in American Studies. 

"I am so incredibly honored and humbled to be our Centennial Celebration Miss California. I'm ready to hit the ground running tomorrow as I begin my year of service and cannot wait to represent the golden state at Miss America," she wrote online.

Photos: Miss California Organization / Instagram

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