If you would like to be a contestant in the Miss South Dakota Pageant, you must first compete in one of the many local pageants held in South Dakota each year. For information on local pageants, visit the "Local Pageants" page and contact the director of the pageant you're interested in. It is possible to compete in more than one local pageant.

Pageant Scoring:

35% - Talent
25% - Private Interview
20% - Evening Wear
15% - Swimsuit
5% - On-Stage Question

• A contestant must be born a female
• A contestant must be a U.S. citizen
• A contestant must have never been married
• A contestant must be a resident of a city/town/state for at least six months preceding the date of the local pageant in which she wishes to compete OR must have fulfilled eligibility requirements by educational status or employment
• A contestant must have never performed any act, or engaged in any activity or employment that is or could reasonably be characterized as dishonest, immoral, or indecent
• A contestant must be a 17 year old senior and no older than 24 years of age on December 31, 2009 (for Miss America 2010). 
• A contestant must be of good moral character and never been pregnant and is not now pregnant nor the adoptive parent of any child
• A contestant must never have been convicted of any crime and does not have any criminal charges pending
• A contestant must be at least a high school senior to participate
• A contestant must be in good health and can participate fully and without limitation in any program activities and must not use or consume any illegal substances or abuse the use of alcohol or other dangerous substances
• A contestant must participate in actual competition in a local pageant within the year immediately preceding her competition in the state pageant and be certified the winner of that title