From probation to pageants

MITCHELL, S.D. (KELO) – After celebrating two years of sobriety, a Mitchell woman is reminding everyone that no matter the challenges in your past, there’s still a chance to re-write your story.

We first introduced you to Danica Miller in May after she was crowned Miss Mount Rushmore.

Miller’s story hasn’t always been filled with crowns and sparkles. As a teenager, she spent quite a bit of time here at the Davison County Courthouse.

“I struggled with alcohol addiction for a long time and then some drug abuse for a short period of time as well,” Miller said.

Those addictions led to probation time for Miller between the ages of 14 and 18. That’s how she met Tim Moon and Jennifer Gropper.

Sioux Falls juvenile faces charges for school threat

“So I was on intense probation with Jennifer for about two and a half years. Everything that had happened with me was alcohol related,” Miller said. “And then I was put on the Department of Corrections with Tim Moon for about another two years and that was all alcohol related as well.”

Now as an adult, she isn’t letting those years define her. Which is exactly what Moon and Gropper were always hoping for her.

“Her journey’s been amazing to say the least,” Moon said. “Her opportunities show up for herself, the doors she opened through guidance from others, support, leaders in the community. And she’s become one of them so it’s a good thing to see.”

“At times when we work as probation officers we don’t always know if the skills and the help we provide are going to result in something positive,” Gropper said. “Danica had her ups and her downs and it’s great to see her take advantage of the knowledge and things she has learned in her life. Do something great with it and become a strong adult leader and a mother and a good role model for our community.”

Recently, she’s been leading while wearing a crown. Her newest title is Miss South Dakota SLICC Ambassador.

“I am in the USA Ambassador Pageant and basically what we are is we are ambassadors in our community and we give back by doing community service and represent as advocates,” Miller said.

Miller’s advocacy work is centered around sobriety.

“I’m looking forward to just being able to be an advocate for people who are struggling with addiction, especially people who are juveniles,” Miller said. “I go around to different treatment centers and I speak and I tell my story and I share my experience, strength and hope.”

Teen turns school gold for childhood cancer awareness

Reminding people there’s always time to re-write your story — a message Moon and Gropper can also get behind.

“Probation or supervision, anything of that nature, is not a negative anymore,” Moon said. “In today’s society, we’re there to help. We’re agents of change. We can open doors with you or for you. Just always ask for help and reach out.”

“Every person we work with has the potential to be successful,” Gropper said. “Every person has skills for success. It’s just getting them to realize what they are. Our job is to point out the skills and talents they do have and how they can use them to be successful and overcome the situation that they’re in.”

And maybe someday they too can wear a crown and beat the odds.

“It’s not about where you’ve been. It’s about where you’re going,” Miller said. “There’s always hope,” Miller said.

Miller is also a mother to three boys and an enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe.