RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota, a state renowned for its vast landscapes and vibrant community spirit, celebrates one of its own as Joelle Simpson rises to the title of Miss South Dakota. Known for her deep-rooted ties to Rapid City, Joelle Simpson followed in the footsteps of her cousin Anna Simpson, Miss South Dakota 2011, and has become a beacon of inspiration for her home state.
Born and raised in Rapid City, Joelle’s journey began with her participation in the Little Miss program, a mentorship initiative within the Miss America organization. This experience seeded Joelle’s aspirations to earn the prestigious title of Miss South Dakota.
“I got to be her little sister,” Joelle recalls, “It’s a program within the Miss America opportunity for young girls to be mentored by local and Miss titleholders.”
Before diving back into the pageantry world, Joelle paused her aspirations, taking an eight-year hiatus to devote herself to another demanding pursuit: figure skating. South Dakota, with limited access to ice rinks and elite coaching, didn’t deter Joelle. Her tenacity and dedication saw her become the first and only four-time figure skating gold medalist in the state.
“For about 10 years, I spent testing and training to reach the highest level in four different disciplines of figure skating,” Joelle stated, breaking barriers in a state not traditionally known for the sport.
The pivotal moment came when a high-level coach relocated to the area, propelling Joelle to achieve her goals. Her achievements have set a precedent, inspiring many young athletes in South Dakota to strive for greatness irrespective of barriers.
After completing her freshman year at the University of Minnesota, Joelle leapt back into the world of pageantry, obtaining the title of Miss Rolling Plains, which eventually led her to win Miss South Dakota in June. This victory paved her path to the Miss America stage in Orlando, Florida.
Over seven months of preparation culminated in her representing the values and spirit of South Dakota on a national stage. “It was so surreal,” Joelle reflects on her experience, “such a crazy experience, and I just think about watching Miss America online at college last year and how crazy of a turnaround it is that now I got to compete at Miss America.”
In her role as Miss South Dakota, Joelle leverages her platform to advocate for environmental conservation through her initiative, ‘Nurturing Nature.’ This project allows her to collaborate with scientific experts and wildlife organizations across South Dakota, focusing on vital environmental issues.
Miss South Dakota
Among her notable works, Joelle’s documentary spotlighting the endangered black-footed ferrets has gathered attention. “If you didn’t know, they are the most endangered land mammal in North America,” Joelle notes. South Dakota proudly hosts the world’s largest and only self-sustaining population of these ferrets.
Joelle’s passion extends beyond mammals, with one of her lifetime ambitions being to witness all 18 species of penguins in their natural habitats.
“This year has shown me I can do all these things,” Joelle says, acknowledging the blending of her passions. Her journey exemplifies the remarkable potential rooted in South Dakota.
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