Hartford lady wins Miss South Dakota crown

BROOKINGS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Kianna Healy of Hartford was named Miss South Dakota 2026 in Brookings Saturday evening.

Healy, 23, graduated from O’Gorman High School and Pace University with a significant in Film and Arts and Entertainment Management.

She gained a $13,000 scholarship, a $1,000 preliminary expertise award, a $500 preliminary health award, and the $500 Callee Bauman Wachter prime performing arts award.

Healy’s group service initiative is “The Second Chance Project.” For her expertise, she sang “I’m a Star” by Scott Alan.

She is the daughter of Russ and Michelle Healy and competed as Miss Sioux Falls.

First runner-up was Amelie Wilcox of Rapid City, garnering a $5,000 scholarship. Wilcox additionally gained the $5,000 South Dakota Strong award, the general interview award ($1,000), a $1,000 group service award, and the $500 Hunter Widvey Medical scholarship. Wilcox additionally took dwelling the $1,000 Ray Peterson Rookie of the Year award given to the very best putting delegate competing at Miss South Dakota for the primary time.

Second runner-up was Sydney Morgan of Hot Springs, receiving a $4,000 scholarship. She additionally obtained the $500 STEM scholarship.

Third runner-up was Katie Milbrandt, Brookings, garnering a $3,000 scholarship and the $1,000 Quality of Life Award.

Briley Steffensen of Hartford garnered fourth runner-up, along with profitable a preliminary health award for a complete earned of $2,500 in awards and scholarships.

Rounding out the highest ten semi-finalists, every receiving a $750 scholarship, have been Thea Tanton of Brookings, Lilly Mae Blume of Redfield, Javonte Madsen of Sioux Falls, Rylin Yerdon of Harrisburg, and Natalie Biegler of Timber Lake.

Tanton and Biegler tied for the preliminary expertise award.

Laney Titze of Mitchell obtained $1,000 within the South Dakota Strong competitors. Winning $500 every within the South Dakota Strong competitors have been Olivia Granaas, Jensine Matson and Taysan Rouselle.

Kyla Andvik of Fargo, ND earned probably the most proficient non-semifinalist award ($250). Jenisha Gurung obtained the very best rating for non-finalist in interview ($250). Top fundraiser ($500 award) was Jayden Bender.

Miss Congeniality ($500) was Miss NSU Evelynn Carlson of Aberdeen.

Twenty-seven girls from throughout the state competed for the title, which was a report variety of candidates. All gained scholarships, totalling greater than $60,000. Each of the non-semi-finalists obtained a $300 scholarship.

Healy will characterize South Dakota on the Miss America Competition this September.

Healy works at Dakota News Now as a Special Projects Producer.