Charlie Curry Vantramp

Charlie Curry Vantramp knows what it takes to compete successfully. She’s a former Miss University of South Dakota, Mrs. Oklahoma and was 3rd runner up to Mrs. America. She coached her oldest daughter, Natasha, to become the first Miss Washington USA to make Top 10 at Miss USA since 1968. Her youngest daughter, Victoria, also won a state title with her help, placing first runner up at Miss Teen All American in Florida. Word got out that Charlie had a knack for coaching, so she soon found herself in various leadership positions, including Executive Director for Miss Pierce County and Executive Director for Miss Washington America.

Ms. Vantramp is a former dental hygienist, clinical instructor at Pierce College and Seattle area TV host for TBN. She is nationally certified by the Washington (D.C.) School of Protocol in Corporate Etiquette and co-owns Dove Family Dentistry with her husband, Raleigh. In her free time, Charlie enjoys mentoring young women, supporting marriage enrichment, traveling the world, zip lining, jumping off tall buildings (with harness attached) and flying in twin engine planes. She’s served on various boards, including the Washington Scholarship Foundation and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy Board, serving the first responders in Pierce County.

Married for many years, Charlie and Raleigh are blessed with two adult daughters, their handsome husbands, six grandchildren and a California born grandpug named Otis.

Jim Seas

A Brookings native and an SDSU graduate - he joins our judging panel to find our newest Miss SD. 

Jim has long-standing ties to the South Dakota Scholarship Organization, having been a featured vocalist at the Miss SD Pageant for 10 years as well as the Executive Director of the Miss SDSU & Brookings competitions. 

A recent retiree, Jim was a key development officer within several non-profits over the last 40 years helping to raise nearly half a billion dollars to address issues tied to homelessness, parenting, recovery, and education. 

Personally, Jim is a single parent to three children and has begun to use his brand new passport to enjoy his next chapter in life.

Joe Guttierez

Joe Guttierez is a distinguished public servant, community leader, and Hall of Fame athlete who has spent over three decades as a champion for South Dakota’s youth. Currently serving as the Commander of the Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center for the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Joe’s career is defined by his belief that positive choices lead to positive futures. His professional expertise is recognized on a national scale; he has served on the American Corrections Association (ACA) Board of Governors and the Delegate Assembly, and he has chaired numerous national committees to establish federal standards for juvenile care and advocacy.

A legendary figure in Black Hills athletics, Joe was a standout linebacker and the first-ever psychology graduate at Black Hills State University, leading to his induction into the BHSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024. Joe has translated his own "playbook for life" into over 30 years of coaching and mentorship.

Most recently, he served on the coaching staff for the St. Thomas More High School football team, helping guide the Cavaliers to an undefeated season and their historic, first-ever Class 11B State Championship in 2025.

Joe’s commitment to his community is reflected in his extensive leadership roles, including his service on the boards of the Gwendolyn Stearns Foundation, the Oyate Prevention Coalition, and the Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) coalition. He is a co-author of the “Rights and Responsibilities Book for Young Adults in South Dakota” and was featured on the "Along the Way" series for his work with troubled youth. In recognition of his enduring civic contributions, Joe was honored in 2024 with the prestigious Liberty Bell Award, which recognizes non-lawyers who have significantly contributed to the community's understanding understanding of the law and civic responsibility, and he has been named a “Champion for Children” by the South Dakota Coalition for Children. Joe holds a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology and an M.S. in Strategic Leadership from Black Hills State University. Joe is married to the former Janice Blaha; together they have two sons (Joseph and Jeremy) and a grandson, Toryn.

Lauren Wilson

Lauren Wilson grew up in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and later completed a Master’s Degree in Communications with an emphasis in Business Communications, blending human behavior with strategic storytelling. Throughout her career, Lauren has built a reputation as a trusted advisor, working across both start-up and enterprise environments. She currently serves as a Communications Executive at Wolters Kluwer, a Netherlands-based global software solutions company, where she partners with leaders to drive clarity, engagement, and impact through thoughtful communication strategies.

Lauren’s journey with the Miss America Organization began in 2013 as a local titleholder and ultimately led to her being crowned Miss Utah 2016. During her year of service, she proudly promoted her personal platform of Suicide Awareness and Prevention, using her voice to encourage education, advocacy, and open dialogue around mental health. Since completing her reign, Lauren has remained deeply involved with the Miss America organization, serving on the Miss Utah State Board as the Scholarship Chair, as well as an interview coach and both local and state judge. The organization has become a true family legacy with her mother as a local director, and her sister-in-law as the Executive Director of the Miss Utah Organization.

Outside of her professional and pageant work, Lauren enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, especially near the water, and making memories with her large goldendoodle, Danger. A passionate advocate for health and wellness, she is a certified personal trainer and a USA Boxing–certified boxing coach. She enjoys live music, trying new foods and restaurants, or a cozy evening at home with a good movie. Lauren currently resides in Austin, Texas.

Melissa Brown

Melissa Brown is honored to return to the Miss South Dakota stage as a judge, having been crowned Miss South Dakota in 1991. She went on to build a successful career as a television news anchor and reporter, working in markets including Billings, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Colorado Springs. During her time in Colorado Springs, she also served as a board member for the American Heart Association.

After 18 years in broadcasting, Melissa stepped away from her career to focus on raising her six children with her husband, Chris. Now based in Fort Collins, Colorado, she has embraced a new chapter of life centered on family and service.

With her children grown, Melissa devotes much of her time to rescuing and fostering dogs through a Colorado-based rescue organization. She is also a proud “Mimi” to her first granddaughter, a role she cherishes above all.