Miss S.D. Trunk Show to take place in Huron

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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.

My fourth week as Miss South Dakota brought the Miss America lottery. The lottery is how every Miss America candidate choses her spot in the competition. For approximately two and a half hours, a random generator populates each state, prompting that state to choose a candidate spot. As I sat patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for South Dakota to populate the screen I, could not help but feel grateful, excited, and exhilarated by the journey I am embarking upon. Finally, I chose candidate number six in the MU group at Miss America. It is an honor to represent the hardworking, considerate, and loyal people of South Dakota.
At the end of July, I gave a presentation at the S.D. Governor’s Camp. I tried a new exercise that I hoped would stress the importance of building relationships. Midway through the presentation, I asked the students to take five minutes to call a friend or family member, to whom they hadn’t talked in a while. I discussed the importance of taking time to build relationships and feel the impact personal connection can have.
The exercise went over better than I imagined. In fact, as my mom and I were driving back to Sioux Falls, I got a text from one of my sorority sisters. She asked, “Were you at the Governor’s Camp today?” I replied, “Yes.” She went on to explain, “My cousin was there. I got the sweetest voicemail today saying Miss S.D. told her to call someone she hadn’t talked to in a while to build relationships. Made my day.”
I wrapped up my first month as Miss South Dakota in Orlando at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant. While there I met the other state titleholders and supported our talented, intelligent, and kind Miss S.D. Outstanding Teen, Jessica Benson.
Sometimes I still have to pinch myself – I am Miss South Dakota.

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.