Miss South Dakota has Colome Ties

Autumn Simunek of Hot Springs was crowned Miss South Dakota 2015 Saturday night.

She is the daughter of Kelly and Diane (Harter) Simunek, who grew up in Colome and now live in Hot Springs.

The new Miss South Dakota platform is “5 stars for serving those who served.” For her talent, Simunek performed the classic pop vocal “Hallelujah.” She is the second former Miss South  Dakota Outstanding Teen in a row to win the title of Miss South Dakota.

Simunek won the preliminary talent award Thursday night. She is a 22-year-old senior at the University of South Dakota. She also won the $1,000 Miss America Community Service award, top fundraiser award, state quality of life scholarship, Children’s Miracle Network maker award, as well as $10,000 from the Miss America organization for the Jean Bartel military awareness scholarship.

Simunek will represent South Dakota at the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N. J., in September.