A dream, 10 years in the making, came true on June 16 of this year, when I was crowned Miss South Dakota. I barely slept the first night of this 365-day adventure. Over the next 11 months, I look forward to sharing my journey with you – but first a little about me, Carrie Wintle.
I was raised on a sixth generation family farm just south of Iroquois. I showed lambs and cattle in 4-H, was a Huron High School cheerleader and thoroughly enjoyed my school years. In May 2017, I graduated from the University of South Dakota with a BS in Mathematics and a BBA in Accounting. While I was at USD, I was in Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, became a USD cheerleader, and became involved with Dakotathon for Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Just a few months ago, I graduated from Vanderbilt University with my Masters degree in Accountancy.
During my first week as your 2018 Miss South Dakota, I participated in several media interviews to promote the Miss South Dakota Organization, the crowning of a new Miss S.D., and moving the competition to Brookings from its longtime home in Hot Springs. One of the highlights from the week was greeting rodeo contestants arriving for the National Junior High School Rodeo Finals in Huron. I was actively involved in 4-H as a kid and participated in rodeo for several years. People from all over the world travelled to Huron, and it was an honor to serve as an ambassador for S.D.
One of my most memorable appearances to date was visiting Mount Rushmore Memorial the day before the Fourth of July. I spent the morning meeting people from all over the country who had travelled to celebrate America’s independence at one of the most patriotic places in the U.S. The presidential reenactors of our leaders whose faces grace the memorial were at Mount Rushmore, which made the entire day a royal affair.
Courtesy Photos
Miss South Dakota Carrie Wintle visited Mount Rushmore to celebrate Memorial Day, as she stands with patriots dressed as presidents. Carrie Wintle stands with Miss S.D. Outstanding Teen Jessica Benson, at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, Fla.