Bree Morse

In August 2008, Morse entered her first Miss America system pageant, vying to become Miss Garden Grove's Outstanding Teen. She initially placed first-runner up to Emily Nguyen but was later elevated to Miss Garden Grove's Outstanding Teen 2009.[1][2][3]

On August 20, 2011, Morse won the Miss Garden Grove 2012 title.[4][5][6] She competed as one of 58 qualifiers in the 2012 Miss California pageant.[7] Morse competed on a community service platform dubbed "Operation Gratitude" and performed a gymnastic dance in the talent portion of the program.[7] She was not a top finisher in the pageant.

In February 2013, Morse won the Miss North County 2013 title.[8] She competed as one of 61 qualifiers in the 2013 Miss California pageant.[9] Morse competed on a platform of "Service for Sight" and danced in the talent portion of the program.[9] She placed in the Top 12 contestants, but was not a finalist, and was named an Evening Wear Preliminary Winner, earning more than $2,000 in combined scholarship prizes.[10][11]

On February 1, 2014, Morse won the Miss Orange County 2014 title. She competed as one of 54 qualifiers in the 2014 Miss California pageant.[12] Morse competed on a platform of "Service for Sight" and danced in the talent portion of the program.[12] She was named a Swimsuit Preliminary Winner, the Overall Interview Winner, and Miss Congeniality. Morse placed second runner-up to winner Marina Inserra, earning more than $5,500 in combined scholarships and prizes.[13]

In January 2015, Morse was crowned Miss Orange Coast 2015.[1][14] This win made her eligible to compete at the 2015 Miss California pageant, her fourth attempt at the state title.[15] She entered the state pageant at Fresno's William Saroyan Theatre in June 2015 as one of 53 qualifiers.[15] Morse's competition talent was tap dance.[16] Her community service platform is in support of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.[17][18] She was chosen at the pageant's Miss Congeniality for the second consecutive year.[19]

Morse won the competition on Saturday, June 27, 2015, when she received her crown from outgoing Miss California titleholder Marina Inserra.[15] She earned more than $12,000 in scholarship money and prizes from the state pageant.[19] As Miss California, her activities include public appearances across the state of California.

Morse was California's representative at the Miss America 2016 pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September 2015.[17][18] In the televised finale on September 13, 2015, she placed outside the Top 15 semi-finalists and was eliminated from competition. She was awarded a $3,000 scholarship prize as her state's representative.[20][21]