Autumn Simunek

Last updated
Autumn Simunek
Born1992/1993 (age 26–27)
Education University of South Dakota
TitleNational Miss Poppy 2005
Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen 2007
Miss Rapid City 2011
Miss Siouxland 2011
Miss Hot Springs 2013
Miss Siouxland 2013
Miss Oahe 2015
Miss South Dakota 2015
Beauty pageant titleholder
Major
competition(s)		 Miss America 2016

Autumn Simunek is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Hot Springs, South Dakota, who was named Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen 2007 and crowned Miss South Dakota 2015. She competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015 and placed outside the Top 15.

Beauty pageant competition of beautiful people

A beauty pageant or beauty contest is a competition that has traditionally focused on judging and ranking the physical attributes of the contestants, although most contests have evolved to also incorporate personality traits, intelligence, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria. The term refers largely to contests for women such as the Big Four international beauty pageants.

Hot Springs, South Dakota City in South Dakota, United States

Hot Springs is a city in and the county seat of Fall River County, South Dakota, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,711. In addition, neighboring Oglala Lakota County contracts the duties of Auditor, Treasurer and Register of Deeds to the Fall River County authority in Hot Springs.

The Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the U.S. state of South Dakota in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant. The pageant is held in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

Contents

Pageant career

Early pageants

Simunek first began participating in the Miss America system when she was seven years old, serving as a Little Sister to Miss South Dakota contestant Kyra Korver at the June 2000 pageant. [1] [2] [3]

Miss America beauty contest

Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 17 and 25. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is now judged on competitors' talent performances and interviews. As of 2018, there is no longer a swimsuit portion to the contest, or consideration of physical appearance. Miss America travels about 20,000 miles a month, changing her location every 24 to 48 hours, touring the nation and promoting her particular platform of interest. The winner is crowned by the previous year's titleholder.

When Simunek was 12 years old, she was chosen to represent South Dakota by her local American Legion Auxiliary unit and the South Dakota Department of the American Legion Auxiliary in recognition of her work promoting the ALA's remembrance poppy program. [4] She was awarded the nationwide title of National Miss Poppy 2005 (junior division) in August 2005. [5] Simunek earned $65 in combined prize money plus a chance to speak at the organization's national convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. [5]

American Legion Auxiliary Nonprofit organization

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is the largest organization in the world dedicated to veteran service for women. Founded in 1919, the organization consists of around 800,000 members in 9,500 communities across the United States. American Legion Auxiliary members and volunteers help out veterans and other former and current members of the military along with their families through volunteer hours, programs, and an increased presence in Washington, D.C.

Remembrance poppy

The remembrance poppy is an artificial flower that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war, and represents a common or field poppy, Papaver rhoeas. The remembrance poppy was inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields", and promoted by Moina Michael and the “Originator of the Poppy Day” Madame Guérin. Prior to this, Madame Guérin had been raising funds for French and American war charities throughout the World War One years, for widows; orphans; veterans; Red Cross; Food for France; US Liberty Bonds; etc. 

In June 2007, Simunek entered the Miss South Dakota pageant as one of 16 competitors seeking the title Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen 2007. [6] She won the state title and represented South Dakota at the Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 pageant held in August 2007 in Orlando, Florida. [6] [7] She earned a $1,000 scholarship prize as well as a $1,000 wardrobe allowance to prepare her for the national competition. [8] Simunek was not a Top-10 semi-finalist for the national crown. [9]

Miss America's Outstanding Teen is an American scholarship pageant. It is a sister company to the Miss America Organization, and it aims to "promote scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America's teens." In order to be eligible to compete, participants must first compete and win at the local level and then win the state title. The competition consists of several parts of competition which consists of a ten-minute interview in front of a panel of judges, talent, physical fitness, evening wear, and an on stage question. All competitors must be girls between the ages of 13 and 17 years of age.

Orlando, Florida City in Central Florida

Orlando is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Orange County. Located in Central Florida, it is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released in July 2017. These figures make it the 23rd-largest metropolitan area in the United States, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the Southern United States, and the third-largest metropolitan area in Florida. As of 2015, Orlando had an estimated city-proper population of 280,257, making it the 73rd-largest city in the United States, the fourth-largest city in Florida, and the state's largest inland city.

Vying for Miss South Dakota

After several years off from competing, Simunek began competing as an adult by trying throughout late 2010 and early 2011 to qualify for the Miss South Dakota pageant. [10] On February 5, 2011, Simunek beat out 40 other entrants to win the Miss Rapid City 2011 title. [1] [10] [11] [12] She competed in the 2011 Miss South Dakota pageant with the platform "Serving Those Who Served" and a show vocal performance in the talent portion of the competition. [13] Simunek was named fourth runner-up to winner Anna Simpson. [14] [15]

In July 2011, Simunek won the Miss Siouxland 2011 title. [16] She competed in the 2012 Miss South Dakota pageant with the platform "Serving Those Who Served: Everyone's Role" and performance of the aria "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini in the talent portion of the competition. [16] [17] Simunek was named second runner-up to winner Calista Kirby. [18] [19] She was also awarded as the top fundraiser among the contestants for the Children's Miracle Network. [18]

Aria musical piece for a single voice as part of a larger work

In music, an aria is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrumental or orchestral accompaniment, normally part of a larger work.

O mio babbino caro soprano aria from the opera Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini

"O mio babbino caro" is a soprano aria from the opera Gianni Schicchi (1918) by Giacomo Puccini to a libretto by Giovacchino Forzano. It is sung by Lauretta after tensions between her father Schicchi and the family of Rinuccio, the boy she loves, have reached a breaking point that threatens to separate her from Rinuccio. It provides an interlude expressing lyrical simplicity and love in contrast with the atmosphere of hypocrisy, jealousy, double-dealing, and feuding in medieval Florence. It provides the only set-piece in the through-composed opera.

<i>Gianni Schicchi</i> comic opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini

Gianni Schicchi is a comic opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Giovacchino Forzano, composed in 1917–18. The libretto is based on an incident mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy. The work is the third and final part of Puccini's Il trittico —three one-act operas with contrasting themes, originally written to be presented together. Although it continues to be performed with one or both of the other trittico operas, Gianni Schicchi is now more frequently staged either alone or with short operas by other composers. The aria "O mio babbino caro" is one of Puccini's best known, and one of the most popular arias in opera.

On January 26, 2013, Simunek won the Miss Hot Springs 2013 title. [20] She competed in the 2013 Miss South Dakota pageant with the platform "5 Stars for Serving Those Who Served" and an operatic vocal performance in the talent portion of the competition. [21] [22] She was named second runner-up to winner Tessa Dee and earned a $1,300 scholarship prize. [23] Simunek also earned $2,000 in scholarships as the winner of the pageant's Community Service Award and $500 as the Children's Miracle Network Miracle Maker Award winner. [23]

On July 20, 2013, Simunek won the Miss Siouxland title for a second time. She competed in the 2014 Miss South Dakota pageant with the platform "5 Stars for Serving Those Who Served" and a Broadway-style vocal performance in the talent portion of the competition. [24] She was named second runner-up to winner Meridith Gould and earned a $1,500 scholarship prize. [25]

Miss South Dakota 2015

On October 11, 2014, Simunek was crowned Miss Oahe 2015. [26] [27] She entered the Miss South Dakota pageant in June 2015 as one of 16 qualifiers for the state title. [2] Simunek's competition talent was a classic pop vocal performance of "Hallelujah". [28] Her platform is "5 Stars of Serving Those Who Served". [27] [29]

Simunek won the competition on Saturday, June 20, 2015, when she received her crown from outgoing Miss South Dakota titleholder Meridith Gould. [2] [30] Simunek is the second consecutive Miss South Dakota to have first won Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen. [2] [28] She earned more than $12,750 in scholarship money and other prizes from the state pageant. [30] As Miss South Dakota, her activities include public appearances across the state of South Dakota. [28]

Vying for Miss America 2016

Simunek was South Dakota's representative at the Miss America 2016 pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September 2015. [28] [31] In the televised finale on September 13, 2015, she placed outside the Top 15 semi-finalists and was eliminated from competition. She was awarded a $3,000 scholarship prize as her state's representative. [32] [33]

Early life and education

Simunek is a native of Hot Springs, South Dakota, and a 2011 graduate of Hot Springs High School. [10] [20] Her father is Kelly Simunek and her mother is Diane Simunek. [29]

Simunek is a student at University of South Dakota where she studies music education. [16]

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References

  1. 1 2 Friar, Amanda (February 5, 2011). "Miss Rapid City Pageant about more than glitz and glamour". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Nettinga, Curt (June 30, 2015). "A few minutes with...Miss SD 2015". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  3. ↑ Nettinga, Curt (June 29, 2015). "Autumn/Kyra". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  4. ↑ Nelson, Cathy (August 8, 2005). "Simunek named National Miss Poppy". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Nelson, Cathy (September 18, 2005). "Hot Springs girl gets Miss Poppy title". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Record number of contestants in Miss South Dakota pageant". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises. May 17, 2007. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  7. ↑ Nettinga, Curt (January 22, 2008). "Halfway through reign, Simunek enjoys whirlwind of activity". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Autumn Simunek named Miss S.D. Outstanding Teen". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises. June 12, 2007. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen Caitlin Brunell Wins Miss America's Outstanding Teen Competition" (Press release). Miss America's Outstanding Teen. August 12, 2007. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 Nettinga, Curt (March 1, 2011). "Autumn Simunek achieves goal". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Former Title Holders". Miss Rapid City Scholarship Organization. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Fourteen Miss South Dakota contestants to compete". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises. June 13, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  13. ↑ "State Contestants: South Dakota - 2011". Miss America. 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  14. ↑ Nettinga, Curt (June 26, 2011). "Miss South Dakota won after year away from pageant competition". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Simpson crowned Miss South Dakota 2011". Plainsman . Huron, SD: News Media Corporation. June 29, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 Nettinga, Curt (June 18, 2012). "Hot Springs well represented at pageant". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  17. ↑ "State Contestants: South Dakota - 2012". Miss America. 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  18. 1 2 Nettinga, Curt (June 24, 2012). "Calista Kirby Crowned Miss South Dakota 2012". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Calista Kirby crowned Miss South Dakota". Mitchell Daily Republic . Mitchell, SD: Forum Communications. Associated Press. June 25, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  20. 1 2 Nettinga, Curt (January 29, 2013). "Local woman is Miss Hot Springs". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  21. ↑ "State Contestants: South Dakota - 2013". Miss America. 2013. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  22. ↑ Nettinga, Curt (June 17, 2013). "2013 pageant sees mix of experienced, new contestants". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  23. 1 2 Nettinga, Curt (July 2, 2013). "Tessa Dee crowned 2013 Miss S.D." Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  24. ↑ "State Contestants: South Dakota - 2014". Miss America. 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  25. ↑ Nettinga, Curt (June 23, 2014). "Meridith Gould is Miss S.D. 2014". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  26. ↑ Thomas, Jeri (October 13, 2014). "Miss Oahe Scholarship Pageant Winner Speaks on KGFX". Pierre, SD: KGFX. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  27. 1 2 "16 candidates vie for Miss South Dakota crown". Rapid City, SD: KOTA-TV. June 9, 2015. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  28. 1 2 3 4 "Meet Autumn Simunek, Miss South Dakota 2015". Miss South Dakota. Archived from the original on August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  29. 1 2 "Mixture of familiar, new faces to vie for 69th Miss S.D. title". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises. June 9, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  30. 1 2 Nettinga, Curt (June 22, 2015). "Autumn Simunek is 2015 Miss South Dakota". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, SD: Lee Enterprises . Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  31. ↑ "State Contestants: South Dakota - 2015". Miss America. 2015. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Miss America Show Scholarships 2016". Miss America. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  33. ↑ "The 2016 Miss America Competition Scholarships & Awards" (Press release). Miss America. September 16, 2015. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Meridith Gould 		Miss South Dakota
2015		Succeeded by
Julia Olson
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