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.

The Privilege of Being A Sister by Hannah Utic

Since coming home to beautiful Alaska, everyone of course wants to know “what was Miss America like?!” My knee jerk response is “it was the most chaotic two weeks of my life,” because it feels impossible to completely describe the surreal, incredible, wild, tiring, once in a lifetime experience that it was. But as I try to play back every aspect of the experience in my own head, there is one class of moments that I come back to every time as the most special ~ the sisterhood. While I think it goes without saying that the bond with the fifty other sisters in our Miss America class is one of the absolute most precious things I took away from this experience and I made friends for life, what I actually am talking about is the Miss Alaska sisterhood. 

More times than not, Miss America has been held somewhere on the east coast, which obviously means quite the travel journey for Alaskans. Because of this, historically, very few former Miss Alaskas have been able to go back and cheer on their newest addition to the sisterhood. Knowing this, I am not sure I have ever felt more special than when FIVE of my favorite Miss Alaska sisters told me they were coming to Florida to cheer me on. Miss Alaskas 1986, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2021, as well as a forever Miss Anchorage and our Miss Anchorage’s Teen all sacrificed greatly to be there and I could not be more grateful. The bond shared within the sisterhood is something that can't really be explained, so to have my biggest fans physically there was so incredibly special. 

So when I think back, my favorite memories are the ones the world didn't get to see: finally having a free couple hours and getting to have brunch with them; getting up extra early each day after four hours of sleep to get Starbucks, a good convo and a morning hug from one of my best friends in the world, Miss Alaska 1991, who was experiencing Miss America again exactly thirty years later, but this time with me; them dragging all my stuff (and me) back to my room each night after visitation, and even having to take my heels off because I was too exhausted to even move; the morning after debrief…. These are the moments that may seem insignificant to an observer but are truly what carried me through the week. It was the honor of a lifetime to get to represent Alaska on the Miss America stage, but it is the unbelievable privilege of being in the Miss Alaska sisterhood forever that I will always cherish the most. 

-Hannah Utic, Miss Alaska 2023

What Does it Feel Like to Stand on the Miss America Stage? by Mallory Hudson

It feels like… 

…all the roads I have ever traveled led to this stage, and I feel the years of hard work coming to fruition. Every late night, sacrifice, and ounce of preparation contributed to this very moment. Of course, the top five finish brought me immense joy, but I am most thankful for the personal growth and resiliency I developed throughout my Miss America journey, regardless of any outcome. 

Rob Metzger

It feels like… 

…an honor to stand with 50 of the most kind, intelligent, and ambitious women in the country. In preparation for Miss America, I made a cognizant effort to lean into the qualities and achievements I brought to the table while celebrating the qualities and achievements the other title holders brought to the table as well. The Miss America Class of 2024 is a true sisterhood composed of independent, inspiring, and charismatic women. I have never felt more empowered or more proud to be a woman than I did on the Miss America stage. 

It feels like… 

…an opportunity to advocate for the 1 billion people living in our world with some form of disability. As William Shakespere said, “All the world's a stage, and ALL the men and women merely players…” My service initiative, Inclusive Stages, advocates for individuals with special learning needs and disabilities through theatrical and artistic opportunities. Advocating for Inclusive Stages and sharing my mission on a national platform is something I will always cherish. Everyone can shine if they are simply given the opportunity to do so. 

It feels like… 

Hudson M Photography

…a great responsibility. Kentuckians support Kentuckians, so I knew I was carrying the hopes and expectations of the people of the Commonwealth to the Miss America Stage. Ultimately, my first priority was to represent my home state of 22 years with grace, dignity, and an unbridled spirit, and I threw my heart and soul into meeting that goal. It was a personal commitment to represent the values and character of the state that has shaped me into the woman I am today. 

It feels like…

…the beginning and continuation of a legacy. Recognizing the footsteps of those who had preceded me, women who had undeniably shaped Miss America’s esteemed tradition, I was acutely aware of the weight of their influence. However, I embraced the idea of creating my own path. I ultimately hope to be remembered as a Miss Kentucky who built intentional connections, advocated for inclusion, led with a servant's heart, and empowered through education 

What does it feel like to stand on the Miss America stage? It’s a feeling that is difficult to label but impossible to forget. I am incredibly thankful I will forever be connected to an opportunity much larger than myself. Thank you, Miss America! 

-Mallory Hudson, Miss Kentucky 2023