Miss South Dakota USA and Teen USA Titleholder History

Miss South Dakota USA 2024 Ahmitara Alwal

Shania Knutson is crowned Miss South Dakota USA 2022

Amber Hulse is crowned Miss South Dakota USA 2023

Ahmitara Alwal takes her first walk as Miss South Dakota USA 2024

July 1958 • Helen Youngquist (South Dakota) and Patricia Moss (South Carolina)

July 1958 • Judith Carlson (Alabama); Donna Kay Brooks (California);Marcia Valibus (Florida); Diane Austin (Georgia); June Pinckney (Illinois); Eurlyne Howell (Louisiana); Sharon Tietjen (Montana); Dee Kjeldgaard (Nebraska); Virginia Fox (New York); Patricia Moss (South Carolina); Helen Youngquist (South Dakota); Martha Boales (Tennessee); Linda Daugherty (Texas); Sandra Pugh (Utah); Rose Marie Nielsen (Washington)

01 Jul 1960 • Four aspirants to the Miss Universe title got the feel of deep sea fishing here during a visit to the Miami beach docks. L to R, Cecilia Claire Upton of Cedartown (Georgia), Patricia Ann Klith of Sioux Falls (South Dakota), June Cochran of Indianapolis, (Indiana), and Svanhildur Jakobsdotti of (Iceland).

7 Jul 1960 • Waving at photographers, Universe contestants present pretty picture as they participate in pre-judging activities at Miami Beach, Fla. From left, back row: Joan Joyce Chesleigh, New Hampshire; Anita Simons, Wyoming and Joan Ellinor Boardman, England. Front row from left: Mihija Son, Korea; Corrine Huff, Ohio; Peggy Patterson, Kansas and Patricia Ann Klith, South Dakota.

6 Jul 1961 • Deanne Ostermann, 19-year-old blond beauty from Ocheyedan who is the reigning Miss Iowa, is shown here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Ostermann, before a huge celebration staged in Ocheyedan in her honor. The celebration, which featured a big parade, served as the kickoff for her trip south.

15 May 1967 • It was Mother’s Day and most of the girls in the Miss USA contest on Miami Beach were away from their mothers Sunday. So, they picked up the phone to say ‘Hi.’ Calling are: (seated from left) Miss North Dakota, Jackie Linder; Miss Wisconsin, Jodi Bonham; Miss Kentucky, Debbie Dibble; Miss South Carolina, Hope Patterson; Miss New York, Wendy Cox; (standing from left) Miss Maryland, Sandy Clevering; Miss Montana, Stevie Lahti; Miss Oklahoma, Becky Berry; Miss New Mexico Clydia Newell.

20 May 1969 • Candidates for the Miss USA beauty title are assembling in Miami where the title will be decided Saturday night. Shown from the left are Deborah Federsen, Miss Oklahoma; Christine Jalloway, Miss Illinois; Marilyn Poole, Miss Nebraska; Lisa Marie Brenner, Miss Michigan; Mary Catherine Bergen, Miss South Dakota; Marilyn Singleton, Miss Ohio; Christine Sachen, Miss Wisconsin; Mary Eletha McGugin, Miss Kansas; Linda Smith, Miss Indiana; Becky Stoner, Miss Iowa; Beckee Benz, Miss North Dakota; and Laureen Darling, Miss Minnesota.

12 May 1970 • These beauties are just a sample of the type of representatives reporting to Miami Beach for the Miss USA Pageant slated for Saturday. In front from left are Miss Oklahoma, Haroldy Evelyn Walkup; Miss Wyoming, Elizabeth Ann Swarthout; Miss Colorado, Linda Hicklin, and, in back, Miss South Dakota, Cynthia Finley, left, and Miss Nebraska Bonnie McElveen.

15 May 1972 • Five of the contestants in the Miss U.S.A. Pageant adorn a lifeguard's chair at the Cerromar Beach Hotel in San Juan. From left to right are: Pamela Vennerberg, Miss Oklahoma; Mona Guesnir, Miss Kansas; Kathleen Bakke, Miss South Dakota; Theresa Engels; Miss Nebraska; and Jani Hall, Miss Illinois. The bathing beauties from every state will compete this weekend for the Miss U.S.A. title.

14 May 1972 • Dede Moore of Virginia shows she's got more than a good set of legs to stand on as she challenges for the Miss USA-Miss Universe contest. Dede and (from left) Kathey Bakke (South Dakota), Tanya Wilson (Hawaii), Jennifer Owen (Iowa) and Lianne Fullmer (Idaho) will match forms at finals to be held in Puerto Rico.

17 May 1974 • TAMBOURINE GIRLS — Awaiting their turns are Miss California, Gayle Andrea Gorrel and Miss South Dakota, Debra Ann Brickley during rehearsals for the Miss U S A Pageant in Niagara Falls International Convention Center

19 May 1974 • Taking part in the first annual Miss U.S.A. charity bowling tournament for the United Fund of Niagara Falls, N.Y., are Debbie Petty, Miss Wyoming; Carol Aalseth, Miss Montana; Darla Dowden, Miss Idaho; Debra Brickley, Miss South Dakota, and Judith Waltz, Miss North Dakota. Winner of the Miss U.S.A. title was to be crowned Saturday night.

24 Apr 1979 • Delaware, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Minnesota, Ohio and South Carolina at rehearsals for Miss USA 1979

Aug 1983 • Chaperone Helen Ellis, with Cheri Dotson of Tennessee and Karen Hemes of South Dakota get some hamburgers from clerk Denise Farmer. Right, Ellis and Dotson enjoy a joke during a rehearsal break.

1983 • Miss South Dakota Teen USA Karen Hernes and her roommate, Kelly Jerles, Miss Georgia Teen USA, and Host Michael Young, star of "Kids Are People Too," took a break during rehearsal.

Feb 1987 • Miss Alaska, Shelly Dunlevy, from Anchorage got the heave hoe info the pool by playful Miss USA delegates from left, Miss South Dakota, Jana Van Woudenberg, from Hudson; Miss North Carolina, Donna Wilson, from Davidson; Miss Virginia, Marsha Ralls, from Alexandria; Miss Colorado, Polly Kuska, from Denver; and Miss Montana, Constance Colla, from Bozeman. The new Miss USA will be crowned tonight.

Jan 1997 • MISS SOUTH DAKOTA USA, Jamie Marie Swenson, Miss Washington USA, Sara Nicole Williams, and Miss New York USA, Ramona Reuter enjoy themselves during a traditional Mardi Gras parade. The delegates of the 1997 Miss USA Pageant are in Shreveport, LA. for the telecast slated for Feb. 5, on the CBS television network

Caroline Pettey competes in swimsuit at Miss South Dakota USA 2021

Shania Knutson competes in swimsuit at Miss South Dakota USA 2022

Amber Hulse competes in swimsuit at Miss South Dakota USA 2023

Ahmitara Alwal competes in swimsuit at Miss South Dakota USA 2024

Shania Knutson competes in evening gown at Miss South Dakota USA 2022

Amber Hulse competes in evening gown at Miss South Dakota USA 2023

Ahmitara Alwal competes in evening gown at Miss South Dakota USA 2024

Miss South Dakota USA 1993 Kara Rovere's official headshot at Miss USA 1993

Miss South Dakota USA 1996 Caresa Winters' official headshot at Miss USA 1996

Miss South Dakota USA 1997 Jamie Swenson's official headshot at Miss USA 1997

Miss South Dakota USA 1999 Shawna Gross' official headshot at Miss USA 1999

Miss South Dakota USA 2001 Beth Lovro's official photo at Miss USA 2001

Miss South Dakota USA 2002 Sitania Syrovatka's official headshot at Miss USA 2002

Miss South Dakota USA 2003 Jessica Lawrence's official headshot at Miss USA 2003

Miss South Dakota USA 2004 Andrea Parliament's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2004

Miss South Dakota USA 2005 Jessica Fjerstad's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2005

Miss South Dakota USA 2006 Alexis LeVan's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2006

Miss South Dakota USA 2007 Suzie Heffernan's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2007

Miss South Dakota USA 2008 Charlie Buhler's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2008

Miss South Dakota USA 2009 Jessica Rowell's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2009

Miss South Dakota USA 2010 Emily Miller's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2010

Miss South Dakota USA 2011 Chandra Burnham's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2011

Miss South Dakota USA 2012 Taylor Neisen's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2012

Miss South Dakota USA 2013 Jessica Albers's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2013

Miss South Dakota USA 2014 Brittney Palmer's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2014

Miss South Dakota USA 2015 Lexy Schenk's official headshot by Fadil Berisha at Miss USA 2015

Miss South Dakota USA 2016 Madison McKeown's official headshot by Jonathan Carter at Miss USA 2016

Miss South Dakota USA 2017 Tessa Dee's official headshot by Georgina Vaughan at Miss USA 2017

A photo of Miss South Dakota USA 2018 Madison Nipe taken at Miss USA 2018

A photo of Miss South Dakota USA 2019 Abby Merschman taken at Miss USA 2019

Miss South Dakota USA 2020 Kalani Jorgensen's official headshot for Miss USA 2020

Miss South Dakota USA 2021 Caroline Pettey's official headshot by Grant Foto for Miss USA 2021

Miss South Dakota USA 2022 Shania Knutson's official headshot by Grant Foto for Miss USA 2022

Miss South Dakota USA 2023 Amber Hulse's official headshot at Miss USA 2023

Miss South Dakota USA 2003 Jessica Lawrence in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2003

Miss South Dakota USA 2004 Andrea Parliament in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2004

Miss South Dakota USA 2005 Jessica Fjerstad in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2005

Miss South Dakota USA 2006 Alexis LeVan in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2006

Miss South Dakota USA 2007 Suzie Heffernan in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2007

Miss South Dakota USA 2008 Charlie Buhler in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2008

Miss South Dakota USA 2009 Jessica Rowell in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2009

Miss South Dakota USA 2010 Emily Miller in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2010

Miss South Dakota USA 2011 Chandra Burnham in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2011

Miss South Dakota USA 2012 Taylor Neisen in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2012

Miss South Dakota USA 2013 Jessica Albers in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2013

Miss South Dakota USA 2014 Brittney Palmer in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2014

Miss South Dakota USA 2015 Lexy Schenk in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2015

Miss South Dakota USA 2016 Madison McKeown in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2016

Miss South Dakota USA 2017 Tessa Dee in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2017

Miss South Dakota USA 2018 Madison Nipe in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2018

Miss South Dakota USA 2019 Abby Merschman in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2019

Miss South Dakota USA 2020 Kalani Jorgensen in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2020

Miss South Dakota USA 2021 Caroline Pettey in the preliminary swimsuit competition at Miss USA 2021

Miss South Dakota USA 2002 Sitania Syrovatka competing in evening gown at Miss USA 2002

Miss South Dakota USA 2003 Jessica Lawrence in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2003

Miss South Dakota USA 2004 Andrea Parliament in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2004

Miss South Dakota USA 2005 Jessica Fjerstad in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2005

Miss South Dakota USA 2006 Alexis LeVan in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2006

Miss South Dakota USA 2007 Suzie Heffernan in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2007

Miss South Dakota USA 2008 Charlie Buhler in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2008

Miss South Dakota USA 2009 Jessica Rowell in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2009

Miss South Dakota USA 2010 Emily Miller in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2010

Miss South Dakota USA 2011 Chandra Burnham in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2011

Miss South Dakota USA 2012 Taylor Neisen in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2012

Miss South Dakota USA 2013 Jessica Albers in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2013

Miss South Dakota USA 2014 Brittney Palmer in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2014

Miss South Dakota USA 2015 Lexy Schenk in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2015

Miss South Dakota USA 2016 Madison McKeown in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2016

Miss South Dakota USA 2017 Tessa Dee in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2017

Miss South Dakota USA 2018 Madison Nipe in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2018

Miss South Dakota USA 2019 Abby Merschman in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2019

Miss South Dakota USA 2020 Kalani Jorgensen in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2020

Miss South Dakota USA 2021 Caroline Pettey in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA 2021

Miss South Dakota USA 2023 Amber Hulse in the preliminary evening gown competition at Miss USA

Miss South Dakota USA 2021 Caroline Pettey's state costume at Miss USA 2021

Miss South Dakota USA 2022 Shania Knutson's state costume at Miss USA 2022

Miss South Dakota USA 2023 Amber Hulse's state costume at Miss USA 2023. Designed from an authentic vintage rodeo queen ensemble, this costume pays homage to South Dakota's official state sport, rodeo — one of the world's most dangerous.

Miss South Dakota USA 2012 Taylor Neisen takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2013

Miss South Dakota USA 2013 Jessica Albers takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2014

Miss South Dakota USA 2014 Brittney Palmer takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2015

Miss South Dakota USA 2015 Lexy Schenk takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2016

Miss South Dakota USA 2016 Madison McKeown takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2017

Miss South Dakota USA 2017 Tessa Dee takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2018

Miss South Dakota USA 2018 Madison Nipe takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2019

Miss South Dakota USA 2019 Abby Merschman takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2020

Miss South Dakota USA 2020 Kalani Jorgensen takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2021

Miss South Dakota USA 2021 Caroline Pettey takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2022

Miss South Dakota USA 2023 Amber Hulse takes her farewell walk at Miss South Dakota USA 2024