Mitchell teen shines at national pageant

['Jennifer Leither Joined The Mitchell Republic In April She Was Raised In Sioux Falls', 'S.D. Where She Attended Lincoln High School. She Continued Her Education At South Dakota State University', "Graduating In December With A Bachelor'S Degree In Journalism. During Her Time In College", 'Leither Worked As A Reporter For The Campus Newpaper', 'The Collegian. She Also Interned For Anderson Publications In Canistota', 'Sd The Summer Of Upon Graduation', 'Leither Continued To Reside In The Sioux Falls Area', 'Worked As A Freelance Writer For The Argus Leader For A Number Of Years.'] Mitchell Daily Republic | Mitchell, South Dakota 2026-07-30 21:22:36

MITCHELL — Makayla Feldhaus entered her first national pageant hoping to enjoy the experience and represent South Dakota well. ADVERTISEMENTThe 16-year-old Mitchell High School student recently competed in the USA Ambassador national pageant near Orlando after earning the title of 2026 Miss South Dakota Teen USA Ambassador earlier this year. I was happy and I was overjoyed that I did that well my first national pageant." Awards earned by Mitchell's Makayla Feldhaus at the USA Ambassador national pageant are shown Wednesday, July 29, 2026. "It was a lot more nerve-racking than a local pageant or a state pageant," Feldhaus said.