top of page

South Dakota Snow Queen Festival is a scholarship organization that provides scholarships for six girls each year.  Girls from across the state compete in their local contests, with the winners of those coming to the State Festival in January.   Junior Snow Queens candidates spend the first Friday and Saturday of January in Aberdeen, attending workshops, visiting businesses in Aberdeen, and making memories.  Junior weekend ends with the Junior Snow Queen Coronation and Talent Contest on the first Saturday of January at 7pm at the Civic Theatre, where the Junior Snow Queen is crowned.  Snow Queen candidates spend the second Thursday-Saturday of January in Aberdeen, attending workshops, visiting businesses in Aberdeen, and making memories.  Snow Queen weekend ends with the Snow Queen Coronation on the second Saturday of January at 7pm at the Civic Theatre, where the Snow Queen and her four Princesses are crowned.

 

Some of the Snow Queen and Junior Snow Queen appearances during their reign include:  St. Paul Winter Carnival, Minneapolis Aquatennial, Montevideo Fiesta Days, Willmar Fest, Gypsy Days, Bands Brews & BBQs, the Brown County Fair, and any other events that work into their schedule.  Each year, these girls are representing their peers, local communities, Aberdeen, and the State of South Dakota. They experience how to build their network, enhance their speaking abilities, learn about new cultures, and are educated on the vast array of opportunities the State of South Dakota can offer all while earning themselves a college scholarship.

Kuecker, Addison.jpg

2023 Snow Queen

Addison Kuecker

Hello!! My name is Addison Kuecker and I am so excited to be the 2023 South Dakota Snow Queen! Being in this role is an absolute honor and dream come true! Getting crowned is a blur, but it will always be one the best moments of my life. Snow Queen has already given me lifelong friendships and memories!

A little bit about myself. I am from Webster, South Dakota. Webster is a community of about 1,800. Something really special about this year is that both Willa and I are from the same community. I love to keep
myself involved and busy. I work at Pereboom's Cafe in Webster as a server. In high school some things I  was  involved in were Key Club, FCCLA, Basketball, Golf, and NHS. I recently graduated and I am planning to attend Augustana University in Sioux Falls for Biology on the pre-med track. School is a big part of my life, so I am very excited to start my college journey.

Some of my favorite things are reading (I am a big book fanatic) science, getting coffee, shopping, and traveling! I love to experience and learn new things, which makes Snow Queen so special to me. My family is very important and supportive of me. Without my parents I would not be where I am today. I have two brothers, 20 and 16 years old. Some fun fact about me: I have two different colored eyes. I had a concussion at state Snow Queen. I LOVE the color yellow. Above all, this year I am striving to be genuine and true to myself. I encourage everyone to stay in the moment and remember where they come from, because that is what truly matters.
Thank you to everyone in the wonderful state of South Dakota and the Snow Queen Festival for believing in me to be your ambassador this year!

2023 Junior Snow Queen

Willa Stern

Hello I'm the 2023 South Dakota Jr Snow Queen, Willa Stern. I am from Webster, South Dakota. It is such an honor to have this opportunity to represent South Dakota and the Snow Queen Festival!

Just from coronation weekend, I already have life long friendships and memories. I am going into sophomore year of high school. I am involved in two clubs, FCCLA and Key Club. Fun fact Addy and I sang Ice Ice Baby for karaoke at state FCCLA. I am also in Volleyball, Track, and dance. I enjoy being involved and doing whatever I can to better our community. I am a waitress at Perebooms Cafe and Roots. I also clean at The Loft. I am the youngest of 5 siblings. I love my siblings, and growing up in a big family has definitely made me who I am. I also love my very cuddly dogs, Bobbie Jo, L.S, and Noelle. My dad passed away when I was 9 years old. This changed our family forever, and made us all grow into strong resilient individuals. My mom and her husband, Clay, love to travel, and this has influenced my love for traveling. I also enjoy cooking, organizing, exercising, and watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee in hand. Growing up in a big family you can't be scared to get your hands dirty, so I have found a passion for remodeling and complicated projects. That's a little bit about myself. I am so excited and ready to see what this year brings!

Stern, Willa.jpg
bottom of page