By Chris Fischer
On Sun., Nov. 17th, the annual Redfield Snow Queen and Junior Snow Queen competitions were held in the school auditorium. Many people attended, including several young children with their families. The stage dressings, as well as the contestants, sparkled.
The 2024 Senior and Junior Snow Queens, Harlee Nielsen and Amelia Sjurseth took their places upon the white thrones to start the event. Next, the 2025 candidates were introduced. The junior candidates, then the senior candidates were announced one by one. Each candidate briefly stated her name and the names of her parents. After an introduction by emcees Collin Dean and Dylan Murray, each chose a question out of a bowl. The candidate then answered the question on stage. She was announced again before bowing to the 2024 queens and taking her place on stage.
After an intermission, Prince and Princess candidates took the stage. (All of the candidates, senior, junior, and prince/princess were escorted by Frosty, Jacob Buranen, or Noah Johnson.) Queens Nielsen and Sjurseth asked the Prince and Princesses each a question. A couple of these were “What’s your favorite holiday movie?” and “Which is the better Christmas color – green or red?”
Finally, the winners were revealed. Kennedi Kraft was named Princess and Kashtyn Kise was named Prince. Frosty was unveiled, and found to be Chief Deputy Brett Christman. Karlie Kraft guessed this correctly. Miss Congeniality, which was voted on by the candidates themselves, was named. Rhiana Young and Gracie Boothe received this honor. Jadie Turner was the recipient of the $100 scholarship.
Kayleigh Disbrow was named the 2025 Junior Snow Queen for Redfield. Willow Ronnenburg was the runner-up. Disbrow was crowned and enrobed by the former queen, Amelia Sjurseth. Next, Adalyn Stoner was announced as the Senior Snow Queen. The runner-up was Jadie Turner. Stoner was crowned and enrobed by former queen Harlee Nielsen. The new queens took their places on the white thrones.
Senior Snow Queen Candidates were Keely Hawkins, Madyson Siebrecht, Adalyn Stoner, Jadie Turner, and Rhiana Young. Junior Snow Queen Candidates were Gracie Boothe, Kayleigh Disbrow, Alena Gruenwald, Victoria Herrera, Octavia Paulsen, Willow Ronnenberg, Hannah Schlecter, and Kallie Spotanske. Prince and Princess Candidates were Kimber Edgar, Kashtyn Kise, Kennedi Kraft, Paivi Jo Kranz, Harley Lang, Baylon Oberfoell, Phynlee Roach, Makayla Sweatman, Brodi Uzzle, and Braxton Wagner.
Many people were involved behind the scenes. The Redfield Snow Queen Committee was responsible for organizing and running the event.
The South Dakota Snow Queen Festival was established in 1947. Since then, local contests throughout the state have been held yearly, with a state competition taking place in Aberdeen.
The Snow Queen organization states that their focus was on empowering young women, and on providing scholarship opportunities. Candidates must win at the local level to be eligible for the state competition. They are judged by their accomplishments, as well as how they present themselves. Candidates had to be 14-16 or 17-19 for the junior and senior divisions, respectively. They had to fill out applications, and find sponsors. The expectations upon them included having “high moral character” and being in good standing in the community, and in their school. Candidates couldn’t be married or pregnant, and had to be South Dakota residents. The South Dakota Snow Queen and Junior Snow Queen attend several events throughout the year. They are expected to be representatives. Local winners may make a few appearances as well, such as in homecoming parades.
The State Snow Queen competitions will be held in Aberdeen. They take place over a couple of days, in which candidates will have interviews, events, and business visits. These weekends will culminate in the coronations, which will be open to the public. The Junior Snow Queen Festival will take place Jan. 3rd and 4th. The Senior Snow Queen Festival will take place Jen. 9th-11th.
