𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗦, 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗟 𝗪𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗢 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗘 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝟭𝟵𝟮𝟳 . . . . . . 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀

“Miss Point Isabel” popular at Galveston Pageant, but judges preferred blondes

Bess Ennis of Weslaco, was placed on a pedestal of the Rio Grande Valley beauties when in 1927 was crowned “Miss Point Isabel.”

After electrifying the crowds in the Valley, her majesty than went on to compete in one of the most prestigious beauty pageants in the country, the Galveston International Beauty Pageant.

Miss Ennis displayed elegance on stage and was greeted with overwhelming applause. The crowd loved her and she won an everlasting place in the hearts of the thousands in attendance.

The three day event concluded with the selection of “Miss United States and the “Beauty Queen of the Universe.” 

Although “Miss Point Isabel” did not win any of these titles, she was in the running until the final elimination and was the popular favorite of the crowd.

She stood out from the rest, from her first appearance until the final curtain call. With her coal black hair, beautiful figure, charming manner and the reaction of the crowd, she was conceded a sure winner.

A newspaper report of then wrote…

“Miss Point Isabel bursting forth on the audience in the city auditorium last night, clad first in a gown of white satin with tulle embroidery, with marquisette work, a red rose with long stem and leaves adding the final touch, she was cheered the entire time she was in sight.”

The murmurs and cheers of delight continued during her bathing suit appearance. Her physical beauty was amplified when she wore a one-piece wool suit with a pink sash and tassel, satin slippers with rhinestone heels and a red rose in her hair.

After many in the audience had given their approval, the word among a great number of them was that she would be the next Miss USA. 

Throughout the contest, from the first sound of shuffling feet that walked the stage— there was never an indication that the prize was not within her grasp.

But the audience wields little influence as the judges preferred blondes. The popular sayingthat “Gentlemen prefer blondes,” held true as far as the judges were concerned. The crowd was surprised and bewildered when the crown was mysteriously given to somebody else.

The winner of both beauty titles was Miss Dorothy Britton, “Miss New York,” she was a blonde, with light eyes and fair skin. 

Taking second prize was Ada Williams, “Miss Florida,” was also the perfect blonde, with blue eyes, dimpled and golden curls. Like “Miss Point Isabel,” she was very popular with the public throughout the pageant.

The Valley beauty left the stage without the crown, but vividly was the crowd’s favorite. She weathered the storm, steering her vessel in great form and with that, left behind—a high degree of converts believing that she was the real queen.

Photo: 1927 newspaper sketch advertisement of Miss Point Isabel