Volunteer of the Year

2019 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR September Kirby

The Miss America Organization recognizes the value of volunteer service and in 2015, the South Dakota Scholarship Foundation initiated the Volunteer of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual(s) whose dedication and service to either a local competition or the state program has made a positive impact on the state organization.

Our 2019 winner, September Kirby, first got involved in the pageant in 1980 as a contestant and was ‘hooked’. Over the past four decades since, she’s been a local Executive Director, Field Director, Teen ED, Miss ED and now Board President. In addition, September played a major role in the transition of the Miss SD competition

to Brookings. The only real break she took was when her daughter, Calista Kirby, competed for and won the title of Miss SD 2012. September’s incredible work ethic, dedication and vast historical knowledge of our beloved program is treasured. Thank you September!

Previous awardees:

2015 – Kendal Braa 2016 - Garry and Pat Strauser 2017 – Brett and Carolyn Knutson Family 2018 – Jeauleen Frost 2019 – September Kirby