Mr and Miss Dakota 2020 Top 14 candidates revealed

Yotes, never fear. Your Dakota Days Royalty candidates are here. Each year USD selects upperclassmen campus leaders to represent the best of the best for Dakota Days.

A tradition that started in 1914, Mr and Miss Dakota represent the value of excellence both on and off campus and are celebrated for helping USD become the university it is today. Here are the Top 14 Mr and Miss Dakota candidates for Dakota Days 2020.

Marcus Destin

Marcus Destin is a senior at USD as well as the President of Coyote Crazies, Co-President of the Cultural Wellness Coalition (CWC) and Dakota Day overall co-chair. Destin said he is very honored to be nominated so highly in D-Days Royalty.

“To be chosen to represent with my fellow peers in top 14 is a high honor that I don’t take for granted, you’re literally chosen by your Yote family to represent and hold it down, I don’t take that lightly at all,” Destin said.

Thane Hein

Thane Hein is a Finance and Operational Analytics major at USD and is also a junior analyst for Coyote Capital Management, hegemon for Tau Kappa Epsilon, a Dakotathon dancer and is a student ambassador. Hein said his favorite memory at USD is from last fall.

“My favorite memory was beating SDSU in football last year by a field goal,” Hein said.

Carson Park

Carson Park is a senior at USD majoring in Medical Biology, president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Marketing Co-Chair of Dakotathon. Park said USD has always been very involved with its students in organizations as well as the community.

“With the uncertainty that COVID-19 presents, I’m thrilled to see our faculty and students’ drive to keep the tradition and excitement of D-Days alive and well,” Park said.

Abby Kays

Abby Kays is a senior at USD majoring in Health Sciences and is the president of Alpha Eta Honor Society for the Sigma Delta Chapter, event director for Kappa Alpha Theta and a Pre-OT club member all while working at the USD Wellness Center. Kays said she is very honored to be nominated as D-Days Royalty.

“It is truly a blessing and a great experience to represent USD’s traditions and values as Dakota Days Royalty,” Kays said.

Sidney Juffer

Sidney Juffer is a senior, double majoring in Accounting and Management and is the CEO of Kappa Alpha Theta as well as the Co-Vice President of Alumni for Delta Sigma Pi. Juffer said the past D-Days events have been some of her favorite memories while at USD which makes her excited for this week.

“Dakota Days is a special time of year and even with this year looking different, I personally cannot wait to see how the events planned will bring our coyote community together,” Juffer said.

Carter Hoffer

Carter Hoffer is a senior majoring in Musical Theater, events coordinator for the Student Theatre Cooperative and the Co-Overall Chair for Dakota Days executive committee. Hoffer said he likes how close the USD community is.

“My favorite part of USD is just being able to know nearly everyone on campus and having friends in all areas of the university,” Hoffer said.

Emily Arteman

Emily Arteman is a senior majoring in Business Marketing and is the current Chapter President for Alpha Phi Psi. Arteman said that she is very honored to be nominated for D-Days Royalty and is looking forward to this week.

“Having leadership opportunities on campus has been the best part of my expereince at USD so being recognized for this is an amazing feeling,” Arteman said.

Lindsay Seir

Lindsay Seier is majoring in Painting and is the Vice President of the Student Art Alliance, a Study Abroad Ambassador, member of Kappa Alpha Theta and founder and President of Student Organizations for the National Organization for Arts in Healthy. Seier said she is incredibly blessed to be able to represent USD and is very excited for this week.

“USD has offered me extraordinary opportunities, brought me life-giving friends and mentors, and has been a large tool in equipping my heart for the future,” Seier said.

Kailyn Fischer

Kaitlyn Fischer is a Nursing major and is the Chief Recruiting Officer for Kappa Alpha Theta and Dakotathon Family Relations Co-Chair. Fischer said she feels very honored to be picked by her peers for D-Days Royalty.

“As a freshman, I would have never guessed I would be where I am today. I feel so loved and accomplished knowing that I have made a difference in the community,” Fischer said.

Logan Rahn

Logan Rahn is a Marketing Major with a minor in Communication Studies and is the President of the Interfraternity Council, Recruitment Chair for Pi Kappa Alpha and Technology Chair for Dakotathon. Rahn said his favorite thing about USD is its people.

“The students and faculty at USD are really what sets it apart from other universities, and it makes me proud to be a coyote,” Rahn said.

Carson Zubke

Carson Zubke is a senior double majoring in Health Services Administration and Accounting as well as a former student body president and Co-Founder for Charlie’s Cupboard. Zubke said there is nothing at USD that compares to Dakota Days.

“Dakota Days is my favorite time of every year. It’s awesome to see the energy and memories that students, alumni, and friends bring to campus,” Zubke said.

Kelli Susemihl

Kelli Susemihl is a senior majoring in Political Science, Media & Journalism and History and is also the Chapter President of Pi Beta Phi. Susemihl said that being nominated to represent the community is a huge honor because of how many amazing people surround her at USD.

“USD has given me more opportunities and memories than I ever could have dreamed of from my college experience,” Susemihl said, “However, no memory quite sums up my time at USD like admiring the glisten of Old Main on 2 a.m. walks home from I.D. Weeks with Julia Hakes.”

Voting for Mr and Miss Dakota ends Friday, Oct. 2. Mr and Miss Dakota will be crowned Saturday, Oct. 3 in a virtual ceremony.

Candidates that did not respond in time for print include Abuk Jiel and Andrew Brunick.