31 under 31: 2026 Edition
Frae is the Director of Student Life at Mount Marty University.
Why do you choose to live in the Yankton area?
What is your favorite volunteer opportunity in Yankton?
What is your favorite recreational option in the Yankton area?
Mariah is Staff Auditor II at Wohlenberg Ritzman & Co., LLC.
Why do you love most about the Yankton community?
Why are your favorite recreational options in the Yankton area?
My favorite recreational options are the parks and the outdoor activities around the river. Whether it’s the walking trails, playgrounds, disc golf, or kayaking with my family, there’s always something to do. Growing up, I especially enjoyed participating in figure skating and archery, which made the area feel even more special to me. I love that Yankton offers so many ways to enjoy nature, stay active, and explore different activities at any age.
Cole is a Chiropractor at Swat Chiropractic and Rehab.
Why did you choose to live in the Yankton area?
Why is your favorite recreational option in the Yankton area?
Most people are choosing the Lake or River when asked this question, which I completely agree with, but my favorite recreational activity in Yankton is the golf course. I’ve developed a passion for the game of golf and in the warm South Dakota months you will usually find me out on the course playing whenever I can.
Marissa is the Kids Campus Leader and works in Human Resources at Restore Church.
What do you love most about the Yankton community?
Samantha is an English Teacher at Yankton High School.
Why do you choose to live in the Yankton area?
McKenzie a Registered Nurse at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital.
Wyatt is a Wetland Biologist for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
What do you love most about Yankton?
Alyza is an in-home daycare owner at The Funhouse Daycare & recreational/competition coach at River City Gymnastics.
She is also the owner of Faithful Fizz dirty soda/energy shop.
What do you love most about the Yankton community?
Dalton is Southern Regional Manager at Olson's Pest Technicians.
What is your favorite recreational option in the Yankton area?
Jess is the HR generalist at Vishay, and a Master Sergeant of Iowa Air National Guard in the Medical Group.
She is also a volunteer on the Southeast South Dakota Society of Human Resource Management (SESD SHRM) board as the Secretary.
What do you love most about the Yankton community?
What is your favorite recreational option in the Yankton area?
Lalit is Scoring and Events Coordinator at NFAA (National Field Archery Association).
What did you choose to live in Yankton?
I came to Yankton for my master’s degree and to train at the World's Largest Archery Center, and I stayed after accepting a job here with the NFAA. The community and peaceful environment quickly made it feel like home.
What are your favorite recreational options in the Yankton area?
Kenna is Owner of Stay Golden Jewelry, LLC and Kenna Janae Esthetics.
What do you love most about the Yankton community?
What I love most about the Yankton community is how supportive and genuinely connected people are. Small businesses aren’t just places to shop here, they’re relationships. People remember your name, celebrate your wins, and show up for you, and that kind of hometown support means everything as a business owner.
Adam is a K9 Handler at Yankton Police Department.
Corona is is a 5-year-old Dutch Shepherd from the Netherlands and is a dual-purpose narcotics detection and criminal apprehension K9.
What are your favorite recreational options in the Yankton area?
My favorite Yankton recreation activity is anything outdoors. My fiancé and I love taking our dogs on the trails in Yankton and exploring all the outdoor activities Yankton has to offer. I also love golfing and spend my summer outdoors whenever I am not working.
Corona’s favorite outdoor activity is chasing her Kong at the dog park or exploring the trails!
Emma is Development and Outreach Director at ZoeCare Pregnancy Center.
What is your favorite volunteer opportunity in Yankton?
What is your favorite recreational option in the Yankton area?
Harrison is Outdoor Recreation Planner for the National Park Service at the Missouri National Recreational River.
What do you love most about the Yankton community?
What is your favorite recreational option in the Yankton area?
Allie is a hairstylist and owner of Rustic Roots Hair Studio.
Why do you choose to live in the Yankton area?
What are your favorite recreational options in the Yankton area?
Robert is a Special Education Teacher at Beadle Elementary School.
He is also the Boys Head Wrestling Coach at Yankton High School and was named the South Dakota Region 2A Boys Wrestling Coach of the Year.
What is your favorite volunteer activity in the Yankton area?
Jennifer is a Veterinarian at Lewis and Clark Veterinary Clinic.
What do you love most about the Yankton community?
The people of Yankton truly embody what it means to be a community. When my husband and I moved here, we were welcomed with open arms and quickly felt at home. I admire how deeply people care about one another and how consistently they show up to support local events and initiatives. There’s a strong sense of pride here that makes Yankton special.
What is your favorite recreational option in the Yankton area?
In my free time, I enjoy walking my dogs and spending time with friends and family at the lake. The park is beautiful and so well maintained. It is one of my favorite places to unwind.
Jazzmyn is Outside Yard and Receiving Manager at Menards.
Jarid is a Technician at Les Schwab Tire Center.
Why did you choose to live in the Yankton area?
Kaylee is a Senior Accountant at Williams and Company P.C.
Why did you choose to live in Yankton?
I moved to Yankton after college to start my career at Williams and Company P.C. Having grown up near here (Freeman, SD), Yankton offered a comfortable balance of familiarity, convenience, and a pace of life that felt just right. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down when you need to but still feel engaged with the people and places around you.
What do you love most about the Yankton community?
One of the things I appreciate most are the local businesses. You can feel the pride and care they put into their shops, restaurants, and services. Local businesses are what keeps a town unique and thriving. They really shape the character of the community.
Kaitlin is an Addiction Treatment and Prevention Counselor at Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services.
She is also Head Coach for Yankton Swim Team.
Why do you choose to live in the Yankton area?
I choose to live in the Yankton area because of the small town feel, slower pace, and close community. Yankton also offers many great events and opportunities. Being part of the sport community in a smaller town has been so rewarding. I love sharing my passion of swimming and watching the swimmers improve and grow up together.
What is your favorite recreational opportunity in the Yankton area?
Noah is a Set Up Machinist at Applied Engineering, Inc.
Why do you choose to live in the Yankton area?
I choose to live in the Yankton area for work and I enjoy the small town feel of Yankton.
What is your favorite recreational option in the Yankton area?
Jada is an Agency Producer at Farmers Insurance.
Why did you choose to live in the Yankton area?
I was born in Sioux Falls but moved around a lot growing up. I moved up here again to South Dakota from Texas about 6 months ago after graduating college to be back by family and to start my professional career. I love the area, the people are very welcoming, and I’m very excited for the weather to warm up for the variety of outdoor activities available here. I’m happy to be back in my home state and to start my next adventure here in Yankton!
Cassandra is MSR3 at Explorers Credit Union.
Why do you choose to live in Yankton?
I moved here in 2011, graduated in 2014, created a family shortly after that and have decided to stay and take root in this little community. It’s a fun little town to raise a family in and the opportunities are endless for all ages!
What are your favorite recreational options in the Yankton area?