STURGIS, S.D.(KBHB) – A busy summer has turned into a busy fall for Miss South Dakota Joelle Simpson.

She stopped by the KBHB Studio Tuesday to provide an update on her whirlwind time as the state’s ambassador ahead of the Miss America competition in January.

Simpson was crowned in June and since then, has traveled all across the state attending county fairs, parades and other events.

Simpson, who is a professional harp player, will play the instrument for her talent at Miss America.

She has been a performing harpist in the Black Hills for nearly a decade, playing for countless weddings and events as well as the Black Hills Symphony.

When she’s not playing her harp and serving as Miss South Dakota, Simpson also likes to skate. In fact, she is the only U.S. Figure Skating Quadruple Gold Medalist from South Dakota.

As Miss South Dakota, Simpson is eager to elevate the importance of Nurturing Nature across the state. She speaks on the importance of grasslands, forests , waterways and blue skies.

She is currently a junior at the University of Minnesota studying medical lab science.