The Rogue Valley has found its way into the pageant limelight yet again.

Medford resident Jennifer Murphy was crowned Miss Oregon USA Sunday in Portland at the 52nd annual state Miss USA pageant.

Murphy, who will compete for the national title in spring 2004, was selected from 15 finalists in the categories of interview, presence and poise and fitness.

District manager for Phone Directories Co. of Utah, Murphy said Wednesday she was surprised to have won, having entered the pageant mainly for the thrill of competing and to have fun.

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The 24-year-old was also crowned Miss Southern Oregon this year and named second runner-up in the 2003 Miss Oregon Miss America pageant.

After her family had been so supportive of her efforts for the Miss America pageant, Murphy said she decided to keep her efforts in the Miss USA pageant a secret.

I’m really excited," she said Wednesday. "I didn’t expect this at all. I didn’t tell anyone I was competing because I didn’t want them to feel obligated to get all excited and follow me to another pageant. I was just doing it for myself," she said.

"I think she didn’t want to tell us until she won," said Murphy’s aunt, Bridget Oman of Medford. "But we found out anyway and her sister and I went up to watch her. The little stinker."

The second-oldest of 12 children, Murphy was born at home in California, moved to Rogue River when she was 13 and bought her first home in Medford at the age of 21.

"I think that being from a large family has given me a lot of individuality," she said. "I’ve always been really responsible and a real go-getter."

Murphy’s crowning as the 2004 Miss Oregon USA comes just months after Phoenix High School graduate Tami Farrell was named Miss Oregon Teen USA. In August, Farrell was crowned national Miss Teen USA.

Pageant officials Wednesday admitted they were starting to wonder about the Rogue Valley.

"I don’t know what’s going on down there but they must be putting something in the water," ABC Pageants spokeswoman Carol Lukens said with a laugh.

Lukens, who coordinates statewide pageants as well as scouts for contestants for Miss Universe with her husband and partner Bert Lukens, said Murphy had the potential to go "all the way."

"This Jennifer Murphy, I think she’s got a big chance to win the Miss USA and probably Miss Universe. The Universe people were at the Oregon pageant and they said she had the class of Grace Kelly," Lukens said.

The national Miss USA pageant is expected to take place sometime between late February and early March. Winner of the Miss USA pageant will compete in Ecuador in June for the title of Miss Universe.

Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at buffypollock@juno.com.