Julia Olson of Sioux Falls was crowned Miss South Dakota 2016 Saturday night. Her platform is “Worth It.” For her talent, she performed the operatic aria “Quando me’n vo.” She is the daughter of Mark and Brenda Olson.
Olson won the preliminary talent award Thursday night and the preliminary swimsuit award Friday night. She is a 23-year old graduate of South Dakota State University.
Olson is the 70th young woman to represent the state as Miss South Dakota. Thirty-nine past Miss South Dakotas attended the pageant as part of the anniversary celebration.
First runner-up was Miss Rolling Plains, Megan Lipp, a graduate of Black Hills State University from Rapid City. She also earned the $500 State Community Service Award, the $1,000 Miss America Serves Scholarship and the $1,000 Miss America Community Service Scholarship.
Evy Johnson was named Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants.
The most-talented non-finalist was Miss Rapid City Rachel Evangelisto, of Rapid City.
Olson will represent South Dakota at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September 2016. The Miss America Pageant will air on ABC on Sunday, September 11.
