The selection of 12 young women from dairy farm backgrounds on Sunday, May 17, in St. Cloud has paved the way for crowning Minnesota's 62nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way, the dairy industry's official goodwill ambassador. The newest Princess Kay will be named just before the opening of the Minnesota State Fair in August, and each of the 12 finalists for the title will be sculpted in butter throughout the fair. The finalists were named at the conclusion of a three-day workshop attended by nearly 70 county dairy princesses. They include:
- Kallie Baker, 18, Plainview, representing Wabasha County, daughter of Natalie and Bruce Wood;
- Kylee Fernholz, 18, Hoffman, representing Douglas County, daughter of Mark and Michele Fernholz;
- Michele Green, 20, Greenbush, representing Roseau County, daughter of Doug and Corena Green;
- Samantha Keller, 19, Goodhue, representing Goodhue County, daughter of Ted and Lora Keller;
- Kyla Mauk, 19, Howard Lake, representing Wright County, daughter of Chris and Harlan Mauk;
- Maggie Mills, 18, Lake City, representing Goodhue County, daughter of Kent and Deborah Mills;
- Jennifer Oelfke, 18, Hamburg, representing Sibley County, daughter of Jim and Jody Oelfke;
- Ellen Sheehan, 19, Rochester, representing Olmsted County, daughter of Jerome and Karen Sheehan;
- McKinzie Smith, 21, Adams, representing Mower County, daughter of Rick and Tracy Smith;
- Rachel Stender, 17, Lester Prairie, representing McLeod County, daughter of Allen and Lisa Stender;
- Morgan Uphoff, 18, Melrose, representing Stearns County, daughter of Victor and Ann Uphoff; and
- Carley Vinkemeier, 18, Norwood Young America, representing Carver County, daughter of Jeff and Tina Vinkemeier.
On behalf of Minnesota's dairy farmers, Princess Kay makes appearances to help explain their commitment to taking care of the animals and resources while providing wholesome, nutritious and affordable dairy products. Midwest Dairy Association manages the program.
5.18.2015