BROOKINGS — Hunter Widvey of Rapid City, competing as Miss Huron, was crowned Miss South Dakota 2022 Saturday night.

In addition to her scholarship of $8,000 for winning the competition, Widvey was a preliminary talent winner Friday evening ($1,000), and the overall interview award winner ($1,000). She also took home a STEM scholarship ($750).

Widvey’s social impact initiative is Childhood Cancer Awareness.

For talent, she sang “Feelin’ Good,” most famously performed by artists such as Michael Buble and Nina Simone. She is the daughter of Brett and Cami Widvey and competed as Miss Huron.

Widvey is a graduate of Augustana University with majors in government and biology and has been accepted to medical school at Des Moines University.

Widvey was Miss South Dakota’s Outstanding Teen in 2016 and is the fourth former teen titleholder to go on and win the Miss South Dakota crown.

First runner-up was Carly Goodhart of Sisseton, garnering a $5,000 scholarship. Goodhart also won the $500 preliminary for social impact pitch Thursday night, as well as the $1,000 Quality of Life Scholarship, the $1,000 Sylvia Tannehill “Kindness” Scholarship, and the $250 Miss South Dakota Legacy Scholarship.

Second runner-up was Annie Woodmansey of Pierre, receiving a $4,000 scholarship.

Third runner-up was Rio Snyder of Black Hawk. Rio received a $3,000 scholarship, plus a $750 STEM scholarship. In addition, she received the Ray Peterson “Rookie of the Year” award of $500 for being the top-placing first-time candidate.

Fourth runner-up was Miranda O’Brian, taking home a scholarship of $1,500, in addition to the $500 award for social initiative pitch on Friday.

She also received the $1,000 State Community Service Scholarship and Top Fundraiser award, a $1,000 scholarship.

Rounding out the top ten semi-finalists, and each receiving a $1,200 scholarship were Margaret Samp of Sioux Falls (preliminary talent winner on Thursday ($1,000), Baylee Dittman of Spearfish, Laney Titze of Mitchell, Emily Deinken of Sioux Center, Iowa, and Maleah Eschembaum of Aberdeen.

Breanna Bossman, Humboldt, won the most talented non-semi-finalist ($300 scholarship). McKenzie Hassebroek of Westport was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants ($500 scholarship). Emma Salzwedel, Sioux Falls, had the top interview for a non-semi-finalist ($300 scholarship.)

Twenty women from across the state competed for the title. All won scholarships, totaling nearly $48,000.

Each of the non-semi-finalists received a $1,000 scholarship.

Widvey will compete at the Miss America Competition at the Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut in December.

Olivia Odenbrett is Miss South Dakota’s Outstanding Teen 2022

The Brandon native’s parents are Luke and Rochelle Odenbrett. She will be a sophomore at Brandon Valley High School this fall. She also received one of two $1,250 Johnson Jackrabbit Scholarships and the $200 STEM scholarship, for a total of $3,700 in scholarships.

First runner-up was Natalie Schoeppner of Timber Lake. Schoeppner was the lifestyle and wellness award winner and the interview winner. She received $1,400 in scholarships.

Second runner-up went to Sydney Lockhart of Hot Springs, earning $800 in scholarships.  Third runner-up was Javonte Madsen of Rapid City, taking home a $600 scholarship. Fourth runner-up was Karina Novotny of Hot Springs, winning a $400 scholarship, and also taking home one of the $1,250 Johnson Jackrabbit Scholarships, as well as the $200 Community Service award.
 
There was a tie for the title of Miss Congeniality: Miss Fall River Balloon Festival’s Outstanding Teen, Amara Bertelson of Rapid City, and Miss Jacks’ Outstanding Jada Aragon of Ethan. The Miss Congeniality award is voted on by the candidates, and they will share a $500 scholarship for that honor.

Briley Steffenson of Yankton, Miss Hub City’s Outstanding Teen, received the $1,000 Miss America Empower Scholarship.

Candidates received almost $12,000 in scholarships total. Odenbrett will represent South Dakota at the 2022 Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Competition which will be held in Dallas, Texas, August 10-12.