BROOKINGS, S.D.(Press Release) – Jamee Kattner was crowned Miss South Dakota 2025 at Saturday night’s competition. Kattner is from Huron and graduated from SDSU with a major in music education this spring.  Kattner won a $13,000 scholarship with the title, and a $500 South Dakota Strong award.

Kattner’s community service initiative is “Melodies of Joy: Music’s Power to Inspire.” As her talent, she sang “Art is Calling Me,” an operatic vocal from the Enchantress by Victor Herbert. She is the daughter of Linc and Kristi Kattner and competed as Miss Siouxland.

First runner-up was Katie Milbrandt, Brookings, garnering a $5,000 scholarship. Milbrandt also won a $1,000 South Dakota Strong award, the $1,000 Dorothy Barnett Award for top overall interview, as well as a $750 STEM scholarship and a $1,000 Community Service Award.

Second runner-up was Kianna Healy of Harrisburg, receiving a $4,000 scholarship. Healy also won a $500 preliminary health and fitness award and a $500 South Dakota Strong award, as well as the $1,000 Ray Peterson Rookie of the Year award given to the highest placing delegate competing at Miss South Dakota for the first time.

Third runner-up was Emily Deinken of Sioux Falls, receiving a $3,000 scholarship. Deinken also won a $1,000 preliminary talent award.

Natalie Biegler of Timber Lake was fourth runner-up, receiving a $2,000 scholarship. Biegler also earned the top South Dakota Strong award for $5,000, the Sylvia Tannehill Kindness Award for $1,000, and the Hunter Widvey Medical Scholarship for $500.

Rounding out the top ten semi-finalists, each receiving a $750 scholarship, were Payton Steffensen of Sioux Falls, Jenisha Gurung of Vermillion, Sydney Morgan of Hot Springs, Adrian Gruis of Onida, and Thea Tanton of La Vista, NE.

Payton Steffensen received preliminary awards for talent of $1,000 and health and fitness for $500.

Adrian Gruis took home the $500 Miss South Dakota Legacy award and also received $500 for being the top fund-raiser.

Jenisha Gurung received the $1,000 Stan Nase Business scholarship.

Sydney Morgan received a $500 South Dakota Strong award as well as a $750 STEM scholarship.

Javonte Madsen of Rapid City accepted the most talented non-semifinalist ($250 award). Julia Stanek received the highest score for non-finalist in interview ($250).

Miss Congeniality was Olivia Walz of Mitchell.

Twenty women from across the state competed for the title. All won scholarships, totalling $54,250. Each of the non-semi-finalists received a $300 scholarship.

Kattner will represent South Dakota at the Miss America Competition this September.

18-year-old Taya Ritterbush was crowned Miss South Dakota’s Teen Friday evening. For her talent, she sang the Italian art song, “Se Tu M’Ami.” Her community service initiative is “Swimming in Inclusion, Floating in Diversity.” She is from Hot Springs and plans to attend the University of South Dakota and major in music education and performance. The title comes with a $3,500 scholarship. Ritterbush also won top private interview ($250) and top onstage conversation ($150). Her local title was Miss State Fair. Her parents are Nate and Alison Ritterbush. 

Ritterbush will represent South Dakota at the 2025 Miss America’s Teen Competition this September.