Senate Commemoration 808
Introduced by: Senators Hulse, Crabtree, Deibert, Duhamel, Perry, Peterson (Sue), and Reed and
Representatives Emery, Fitzgerald, Jensen (Phil), Jordan, Massie, Moore, Sjaarda, and Uhre-Balk
A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring Joelle Simpson of Rapid City as Miss
South Dakota.
WHEREAS, Joelle, a sixth-generation South Dakotan, is the daughter of Val and Dave
Simpson and was inspired at age five to be Miss South Dakota after participating in the Little
Sister Program and serving as a little sister to her cousin, Miss South Dakota Anna Simpson,
in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Joelle started learning how to play the harp at age eight and has played
professionally since age thirteen; and
WHEREAS, Joelle is the state’s most accomplished figure skater, having reached the
highest level of figure skating in four different disciplines of the sport, making her the first
and the only U.S. Figure Skating quadruple gold medalist from South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, Joelle is a U.S. bronze medalist in synchronized skating as part of the
Northernettes Synchronized Skating team; and
WHEREAS, Joelle’s community service initiative elevates the importance of nurturing
nature across the state, protecting South Dakota’s thirty-three threatened and endangered
species as well as preventing the spread of invasive species; and
WHEREAS, Joelle represented the state on the Miss America stage on January 5, 2025,
and will steadfastly complete the final four months of her service to the state of South Dakota
before crowning her successor on May 31, 2025;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundredth Legislature of the State
of South Dakota, that Joelle Simpson is Miss South Dakota.