Miss South Dakota Week 2025: A Rookie’s Recap

By Rylin Yerdon

Last month, I competed for the coveted title of Miss South Dakota for the first time ever. To say it was a life changing experience would be an understatement. Here’s how it went:

The Miss delegates arrived to Brookings on Sunday, May 25th. I kicked off my arrival by locking my keys in my car— oops! Despite this unforeseen mishap, I was still on time for our kickoff meeting, where our executive director, Carol, gave us a formal welcome. A phrase she emphasized before rehearsals began was “empowered women empower women”. This would become our motto throughout the week. The theme of the show was “Imagine the Possibilities”, which was inspired by the journey of Joelle Simpson, Miss South Dakota 2024.

Afterwards, we got straight to work recording introduction videos for the Miss delegates. In our down time, we were able to complete our social media activations (which you can check out on my Instagram, @missmccrorygardenssd). Because I went to school for digital and social media marketing, I greatly enjoyed making content with my sister queens and hyping up our followers for the Miss South Dakota competition. Later in the evening, we learned our opening and fitness numbers. As someone who loves to dance but cannot remember choreography to save my life, this was both a fun and humbling experience for me. Our outstanding choreographer and forever Miss South Dakota 2021, Kaitlin, was a fantastic role model and hype woman throughout the rehearsal process. As a professional dancer working in New York, she had the ability to instill a belief in all of us that no matter how much we struggled, the point was to have fun and enjoy the opportunity to perform.

The second day of Miss South Dakota week consisted of cleaning the choreography we learned the night before as well as learning new choreography to the iconic Chapel Roan song, Pink Pony Club. It was nice to dress in a fun costume and have a good time dancing with my sister queens— my inner show-choir kid finally got to step out of retirement! To break up dance rehearsal hours, we took a break to clean up the Dakota Nature Park in Brookings to honor Joelle’s community service initiative, Nurturing Nature. We also took some time to learn about the history of the park, as our executive director attended South Dakota State University in the past and witnessed the park evolve over time. Because I am a recent graduate of South Dakota State, I found this very interesting as I have fond memories throughout my college years involving the Dakota Nature Park. For dinner that evening, September, a Brookings Host Committee member, hosted a barbecue at her residence and decided to treat us titleholders. After a long day of dancing and walking practice, a barbecue was just what we needed to unwind for the evening and rest for the next day.

On Tuesday, we were finally able to begin rehearsing in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center on the SDSU campus. Construction of the set had begun the Saturday prior and culminated late Monday night. We practiced our dances and guest performances as well as our walking and loading patterns for the competition. There was lots of anticipation in the air that day because we were getting a special treat for dinner: baked potatoes at the Brookings VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). Since this was my first year competing, I wasn’t familiar with this tradition, but I knew it was an opportunity to connect with volunteers and supporters of the Miss South Dakota Organization, and for that I was excited. After hours of locked-in rehearsal, we were dismissed to freshen up and make our way to the VFW. My carpool group arrived slightly early, so we took the opportunity to chat with some of the VFW volunteers and take some fun pictures with the Miss South Dakota Organization photographer, Bob (or “Bobarazzi”, as we call him). The meal itself began with a prayer over the titleholders, and then we were dismissed to help ourselves to a baked potato and homemade dessert. Probably the best baked potato and cherry-topped cheesecake I’ve ever had! We rounded out the meal by singing “God Bless America” with the VFW volunteers. I was so grateful to be surrounded by faith-oriented individuals who had a passion for celebrating our nation and honoring those who risk their lives to keep America safe and free.

Bob Grandpre

Wednesday was a big day. Our Teen titleholders arrived to Brookings and the Miss Sigma group— my group— had private interview. In the spirit of transparency, private interview has always made me extremely nervous. My knees shake, my mouth goes dry, and my heart races making me sound out of breath. I paced outside the interview doors, going through my introduction and practicing answers to mock interview questions I conjured up in my head. This only made my anxiety worse. In the midst of my panic, I remembered something: it is impossible for anxiety and gratefulness to exist at the same time. There I was panicking over an interview for the job of a lifetime, and I was letting anxiety steal my gratitude. I had worked so hard for this opportunity, and I wanted to be able to genuinely enjoy it. I bowed my head and whispered a prayer to myself. Just as I concluded, the interview doors opened, and it was go time. For the first time, I truly felt peace knowing that God was beside me in my interview.

Bob Grandpre

Thursday was another big day. The Sigma group had on-stage question, fitness, and evening gown. Out of all the areas of competition, fitness is my favorite. During my adolescence, I greatly struggled with my body image and fell victim to insecurity and extremely unhealthy habits. Two years later, I came back stronger, healthier, and confident in my own skin. Fitness is how I celebrate my recovery from that low point in my life and the feeling of freedom that comes with it. I felt amazing while proudly modeling my red Rebel Athletic set and owning my moment onstage. Evening gown is my second favorite area of competition, mostly because of the history behind the dress I wore. I got it secondhand from a relative of mine who served as Miss South Dakota’s Outstanding Teen a few years ago. Before she had that dress, another relative of ours who used to compete tried on the dress when she was shopping for a Miss South Dakota evening gown. With royal blue rhinestones on top of the bright flashy blue fabric, it’s the gown that keeps on giving!

Bob Grandpre

Friday’s competition was much more laid back for me. All I had left was the talent portion of competition, which had me both excited and insanely nervous. My talent is singing, which I have been doing since I was a little girl. I chose to sing “Tightrope” from the major motion picture The Greatest Showman at Miss South Dakota. There’s a line in the song that says, “some people won’t sail the sea ‘cause they’re safer on land”, which describes my decision to take on the world of pageantry. Growth does not stem from staying in the same place. We must branch out and intentionally place ourselves in front of things that scare us in order to overcome our fear. And in those moments before I took the stage, I was feeling that fear. Then I remembered: anxiety and gratefulness cannot coexist. I had the opportunity to sing on the Miss South Dakota stage. I worked so hard to be in that moment, patiently waiting in the wings for my turn to share my gift of singing. My name was announced, the lights came up, the music started, and I sang Tightrope as if I was Charity Barnum.

Bob Grandpre

Saturday was finals and crowning for the Miss contestants. Although I did not make the top ten, I was ecstatic to watch my sister queens compete in finals and shine their light in their own unique ways. Out of everything that happened throughout the week, the sweetest moment was watching Jamee Kattner become Miss South Dakota 2025. Jamee’s dedication to excellence, her kind and nurturing demeanor, and ability to uplift others through her gift of song makes her an incredible representative of the great state of South Dakota. She is an inspiration to all of us titleholders and will undoubtedly do incredible things within the year ahead of her— make sure to follow her journey @missamericasd!

Bob Grandpre

As I sit back and reflect on Miss South Dakota Week 2025, I have so much to be thankful for. I gained 19 new friendships, achieved my goal of performing on the Miss South Dakota stage, and got to share my passion of advocating for women’s success. After thinking long and hard about what my future will look like, I’ve decided that pageantry will have a place within it. My journey is not over, but rather just beginning. As local competition season commences in South Dakota, I will hopefully have this opportunity again. Until then, I am Rylin Yerdon, your Miss McCrory Gardens 2025.

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Cameron Schroder

Rylin Yerdon is the current Miss McCrory Gardens (SD). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

Be sure to read all of her other Section 36 Forevers guest blogs as well.

Take It Easy: Recovering From Injury

 By Rylin Yerdon

“Push yourself” is a phrase I live by. Don’t succumb to the challenge. Fight your way to the top of the mountain and come down stronger. But what happens when you push too hard? What happens when you slip on the mountain and come crashing down? How do you overcome the fear of falling again? I’ve had minor physical injuries before, each one presenting the waiting game that is recovery. And each time, I bounced back. But this time is a little different.

Fitness is my favorite phase of competition. I crave that adrenaline rush as I strut to upbeat music and pose like Wonder Woman. I can feel confidence radiate from my body. As Miss South Dakota approaches in a few short months, I carve out time to practice my fitness routine twice a week. That consistency came to a screeching halt when I contracted tendonitis in my right foot from excessive strain. I didn’t know what happened at the time, so I assumed it was a cramp and went about the rest of my evening in a bit of pain. After some ice and pain reliever, I went to bed expecting to be good as new in the morning.

I was not good as new the next morning. As soon as I woke up, I put both feet on the floor and immediately lost balance due to searing pain in my foot. It became clear that this was more than just a cramp. My foot didn’t have any bruises or swelling, but I paid a visit to a doctor because the pain was so intense. Three x-rays later, I was told there was no sprain, fractures, or broken bones. Instead, I had tendonitis, which is inflammation in the tissues that connect muscles to bones. Mild tendonitis is easily treated with ice, occasional pain reliever, and “taking it easy” for a week or so. 

“Taking it easy”. A simple concept, but easier said than done if you’re someone like me. How can I possibly be productive when I’m stuck in bed with my foot up? How am I supposed to prepare to compete for the job of a lifetime if I can’t walk without being in pain? The answer to those questions is listening to what my body is telling me. I know the condition of my injury could have been immensely worse had I ignored the pain I was in.

I’m still in the recovery process at this time. “Taking it easy” has made time for self-reflection, which I’ll admit is a little rattling. Refocusing my Miss South Dakota prep was not something I planned for. Each hour that passes as I “take it easy”, I think about what I need to prioritize in order to come back stronger. And that priority is my physical wellbeing. 

What I want you to take away from my story is that working hard is important, but so is resting. Being Miss America Fit isn’t just about being strong and energetic— it’s about letting your body recover in its own time. Take it easy on your body because it’s the only one you have.

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Photos by Cameron Schroder Photoraphy

Rylin Yerdon is the current Miss McCrory Gardens (SD). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

This is her second blog for Section 36 Forevers. Be sure to read her other guest blog as well.

You Belong in Pageantry

By Rylin Yerdon

I didn’t grow up in pageantry. But when the opportunity to inspire others and advocate for my passions through the Miss South Dakota and Miss America Organizations, I couldn’t pass it up. I competed for the very first time in July 2024. Upon arrival to the local competition that day, it became clear that I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I stumbled through the phases of competition, each performance clumsier than the last. Spoiler alert: I didn’t win anything. Instead, I walked away with determination to succeed in the Miss America Organization.

I was crowned Miss McCrory Gardens in November of 2024, and it was one of the happiest, most emotional moments of my life so far. I had worked so hard to achieve this goal it didn’t feel real. Even now as I am preparing to compete for the job of Miss South Dakota, it still doesn’t feel real. I’ve been able to visit classrooms, clubs, and organizations to share the importance of my Community Service Initiative, Pursuing Success: Women Belong in Business. I made connections with people in my community through volunteering with McCrory Gardens, the sponsor of my local title. I have been granted a platform that allows me to share the good news of the Miss America Organization and inspire girls and young women to step into leadership roles and flourish.

To the little girl or young woman who wants to give pageantry a try, I want to encourage you to do it. Your passion deserves to be shared, communities deserve your service, and you deserve the opportunity to shine your light. The sisterhood can’t wait to welcome you!

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Rylin Yerdon is the current Miss McCrory Gardens (SD). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first blog for Section 36 Forevers.