09/12/2026
Welcome to the Miss Texas sisterhood, Stephanie! 👑🫶🏻
STEPHANIE WENDT NAMED MISS TEXAS 2026 FOLLOWING REGAN HUTSELL’S MISS AMERICA VICTORY
Richardson, TX. (September 12, 2026) ─ Stephanie Wendt has been named Miss Texas 2026, assuming the state title following Miss Texas Regan Hutsell’s crowning as the 99th Miss America on September 6 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Wendt, who finished as first runner-up to Hutsell at the Miss Texas competition and represented Park Cities, will now carry forward the Miss Texas Scholarship Organization’s tradition of scholarship, service and leadership throughout the Lone Star State.
The newly 26-year-old Coppell, Texas, native has earned more than $30,000 in scholarships while competing for the title of Miss Texas, which she intends to use toward earning an MBA. She currently works as a Communication Consultant at PartnerComm, Inc. and aspires to one day lead the marketing team of a major fashion company. Wendt earned a Master of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communications from The University of Texas at Austin. She has earned her NAMI Advocate certification, served as a Dallas Stars Ice Girl for two consecutive seasons and was recognized as Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen in 2017.
“I watched my first Miss Texas as a nine-year-old little girl. I never stopped dreaming or working toward this goal, and today, I get to stand on this stage and tell every young woman watching that dreams do come true,” Wendt said. “This year I hope to serve as living proof that your hardest chapter is never your whole story. I’ll be a voice for young people who are quietly struggling and too afraid to ask for help, because for a long time, that was me.”
A passionate advocate for mental health awareness and resilience, Wendt has spent the past decade developing a platform designed to equip young Texans with practical tools for proactive mental wellness. As Miss Texas, Wendt will also serve as the state-wide ambassador for Texas Cares For Children, a non-profit organization that encourages leadership, education, and character development among Texas youth.
Wendt’s appointment comes after an extraordinary milestone for the Miss Texas Organization. On September 6, Hutsell was crowned Miss America after competing among 52 delegates representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Her victory made her the fourth Miss Texas to capture the Miss America crown.
Hutsell, a former Radio City Rockette and international performer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, earned preliminary awards in both fitness and talent before winning the national title. Through the Miss America Opportunity, she has earned nearly $90,000 in scholarships while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with aspirations of becoming a physical therapist. With Hutsell beginning her national reign, Wendt now steps into the role of Miss Texas with a lifelong dream realized and a new opportunity to serve.
The Miss Texas Scholarship Organization and The Lone Star Education Foundation awarded over $200,000 in cash and in-kind tuition scholarships during the week-long competition. The Miss Texas Organization is affiliated with the Miss America Opportunity, which empowers women to lead in every area of life. Learn more about the organization and how to book Wendt at www.misstexas.org.
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Interviews and photos available upon request. Please contact:
Valerie Bell, Media/Sponsors | 214-957-3737 | [email protected]
Jan Mitchell, Executive Director | 214-549-2003 | [email protected]
About the Miss Texas Organization
An official preliminary to Miss America, the Miss Texas Scholarship Organization Inc. has a rich history of empowering young women to achieve their dreams and goals since it was established in 1937. Participants have the opportunity to promote a platform of community service, share their talents, intelligence, and positive values while serving as role models in their communities. The organization is operated completely by volunteers who assist delegates in their pursuits of academic excellence, service and lifelong success by promoting individuality, leadership development, personal growth, health and wellness, communication skills, and confidence.
