2nd Runner-up 2019, 1st runner-up 2018, Semi-finalist 2017, Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2012, 1st runner-up 2011
A native of Sioux Falls, Kalani Jorgensen was crowned Miss South Dakota USA on 22 September 2019 and represented South Dakota at the Miss USA 2020 pageant in Memphis, Tennessee. Kalani is a licensed cosmetologist and owner of a mens hair salon.
Kalani is the sole owner of a men’s hair salon, in her hometown, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As a young entrepreneur, Kalani brought her business ideas to life and gave her dream wings. Kalani established “Crosshairs” and became an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and Young Professional Network. As a licensed cosmetologist, Kalani has assisted behind the scenes with hair and make up for television and film sets.
With a passion for fitness, you can often find Kalani lifting in the gym. For the past 21 years, she has continued to strive for the perfect game in league bowling. On weekends, she enjoys relaxing at the campground with her friends and family.
Kalani reigned as Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2012. As a titleholder, Kalani participated in various events, using her platform to promote charities including Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Humane Society, Breast Cancer Research and American Cancer Society. She has enriched the lives of others by providing humanitarian efforts in Puerto Rico and serving as a Youth Leader for middle and high school students.
A woman of faith, Kalani ministers to others as a contemporary worship band leader and an effective Young Adult Representative on First United Methodist Church Council. She is passionate about serving, inspiring, and encouraging others to fulfill their goals and dreams. Kalani shares, “Too often self-worth has become based on how many ‘likes’ and ‘followers’ people have on social media. I want to use my new title as Miss South Dakota USA 2020 to travel across the state and talk to young men and women about loving themselves and being confident with who they are”.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Kalani’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
Kalani started her pageant journey in the Teen system placing first runner-up at Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2011 before winning the 2012 title. She returned in 2017, making the semi-finals at Miss South Dakota USA and was a runner-up in the 2018 and 2019 pageants.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Kalani’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Caroline Pettey as Miss South Dakota USA 2021.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Kalani’s “after the crown” photos.