BROOKINGS, S.D. — Twenty young women from across South Dakota will compete for scholarships, recognition, and the title of Miss South Dakota later this month during the 78th annual Miss South Dakota competition in Brookings.
The event will take place May 29–31 at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center on the South Dakota State University campus. Contestants, ranging in age from 19 to 26, will compete for more than $54,000 in cash and scholarships. The winner will receive at least $13,000 in awards and go on to represent South Dakota at the Miss America competition in September.
Preliminary rounds are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with the final competition set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The Miss South Dakota’s Teen competition will be held concurrently on Thursday and Friday nights, with the Teen title awarded at the end of Friday’s event.
The reigning Miss South Dakota, Joelle Simpson, will appear at the event. Simpson, who competed at Miss America in January, spent the past year advocating for her community service initiative, “Nurturing Nature,” and performing at events across the state with her harp.
Contestants will be judged across five categories: private interviews (30%), talent/HER Story™ presentations (20%), health and fitness (20%), evening gown (20%), and on-stage conversation (10%).
This year’s competitors represent communities from across South Dakota and neighboring states, including Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Vermillion, Onida, and Timber Lake. Talents include vocal performances, classical dance, painting, gymnastics, and even unicycle routines. Each contestant also brings a unique community service initiative, from mental health advocacy and childhood trauma awareness to water safety and hunger relief.
The competition will be livestreamed on Saturday. Tickets and streaming details are available at misssd.org.
For a full list of candidates and their initiatives, visit the official Miss South Dakota website.
