Edmunds County Tribune -

The South Dakota Snow Queen Festival coronation was held on Jan. 14 in Aberdeen.

When the emcee wrote the list of winners at the end of the evening he started with the Princess of Spring. He read the name of Miss North Central - Jasmin Garcia. Next was the Princess of Summer. That was Miss Ipswich - Jailey Hutson.

Miss Webster - Addison Kuecker was crowned the 2023 Snow Queen. The other Princesses were Miss Clark Area - Avery Miles and Miss Sully County - Lydia Hill.

Jailey said the Princesses will join the Snow Queens in at least three future events. And they may appear at more events if possible.

The girls gathered on Thursday, Jan. 12. They spent time getting to know each other and went to SkateAway.

Jasmin said they were divided into three groups. They had time for interviews on Friday and made snow globes. There was also time for practice.

Friday evening was the Snow Queen Ball and Banquet.

"It was so much fun," Jailey said. The weekend was a chance to improve her public speaking and meet new people she said.

Jasmin said they met their Snow Sisters, younger girls, on Saturday and spent time with them. The Snow Sisters were girls in grades 3-5, Jailey said, hoping they would be interested in the Festival when they are older.

Each of the Snow Queens introduced their Snow Sister during Saturday's coronation event. Each pair did a short dance also. Jasmin said they worked together on that, and the Snow Sisters had great ideas.

Then it was time to prepare for the big event. Jasmin said she never expected to hear her name as a winner. She said she was honored to represent three communities as Miss North Central (Bowdle, Roscoe and Eureka).

Jasmin said she made so many friends, which she knows she will meet again. She hopes to spend time with them when she continues in college after her 2023 high school graduation.