Autumn Simunek | |
---|---|
Born | 1992/1993 (age 26–27) |
Education | University of South Dakota |
Title | National 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.
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 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.
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 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]
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.
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 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.
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]
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" 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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
The Miss Vermont competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Vermont in the Miss America pageant. Vermont is the only state to have never had a contestant advance to the semi-finals of the Miss America pageant, though their representatives have won numerous non-finalist awards.
The Miss Iowa scholarship program's mission is to provide scholarship awards within a competitive system designed to enhance educational and career opportunities for young women. While encouraging young women to serve as positive role models through service and personal development, the Miss Iowa Scholarship Program provides exposure to experiences that personal confidence, showcase talents, and serve the community.
The Miss Montana competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Montana in the Miss America pageant.
The Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the U.S. state of Georgia in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant. The pageant is held each June in Columbus, Georgia.
For the state pageant affiliated with Miss Teen USA, see Miss Iowa Teen USA
Kalie Kathleen Wright is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Twin Falls, Idaho, who was crowned Miss National Sweetheart 2014 and Miss Idaho 2015. She competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015. In 2017, she was crowned Miss Minnesota USA 2018 and represented Minnesota at Miss USA 2018.
Danielle Wineman is an American actress and beauty pageant titleholder from Cut Bank, Montana, who was named Montana's Junior Miss 2010 and crowned Miss Montana 2015. She competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015. Her younger sister, Alexis Wineman, was crowned Miss Montana 2012.
Daja B. Dial is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Spartanburg, South Carolina, who was crowned Miss South Carolina 2015. She competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015 and was a Top 7 finalist. She is the third African American to be crowned Miss South Carolina.
Marissa Livingston is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Albuquerque, New Mexico, who was crowned Miss New Mexico 2015. She competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015.
McKensie Lane Garber is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Hale, Missouri, who was named Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen 2011 and crowned Miss Missouri 2015. She competed for the Miss America 2016 title in September 2015.
Maggie Marie Bridges is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Brinson, Georgia, who was crowned Miss Georgia 2014. She is the first Georgia Tech student to win the Miss Georgia title. Bridges competed for the Miss America 2015 title in September 2014 but was not a Top 15 finalist.
Miss America 2017, the 90th Miss America pageant, was held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 11, 2016.The event was broadcast by ABC in the United States, the first in the network's newest agreement to carry the pageant until 2019, with Dick Clark Productions producing the ceremony.
For the state pageant affiliated with Miss Teen USA, see Miss North Dakota Teen USA
Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2007 was the 2nd Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant held at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on August 19, 2006. At the conclusion of the event, Meghan Miller of Texas crowned her successor Maria DeSantis of New York. The pageant was hosted by Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry and N'SYNC singer Joey Fatone.
Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 was the 3rd Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant held at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on August 11, 2007. At the conclusion of the event, Maria DeSantis of Texas crowned her successor Caitlin Brunell of Virginia. The pageant was hosted by Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson and performer Billy Flanigan.
The Miss America 2019 pageant was the 92nd Miss America pageant, though the Miss America Organization celebrated its 98th anniversary in 2018. This discrepancy is due to national pageants not being held from 1928–1932 or in 1934 because of financial problems associated with the Great Depression. The 2019 pageant was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. On May 23, 2018, it was announced that the pageant would air live on ABC on Sunday, September 9, 2018. This was the last Miss America to be aired on ABC before would be moving to NBC beginning from 2020 pageant.
For the state pageant affiliated with Miss Teen USA, see Miss Wyoming Teen USA
Awards and achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Meridith Gould | Miss South Dakota 2015 | Succeeded by Julia Olson |