Governor Dayton to share Princess Kay of the Milky Way Day proclamation during coronation ceremony
Next week, Minnesota’s dairy industry will kick off the great Minnesota Get-Together by celebrating the coronation of the 61st Princess Kay of the Milky Way. On Wednesday evening, August 20, reigning Princess Kay MarJenna McWilliam of Winger, representing Polk County, will pass her crown on to one of 12 county dairy princesses vying for the title. Additionally, Governor Mark Dayton will be in attendance to proclaim August 20, 2014 Princess Kay of the Milky Way Day.
WHAT: 61st Princess Kay of the Milky Way Coronation
WHEN: Wednesday, August 20, 8:30 – 10 p.m. (Princess Kay is crowned at approximately 9:30 p.m.)
WHERE: Minnesota State Fair Band Shell
WHO:
- Current Princess Kay MarJenna McWilliam
- Governor Mark Dayton, reading a proclamation declaring August 20, 2014 Princess Kay of the Milky Way Day in Minnesota
- 12 candidates vying to be the 61st Princess Kay
- Midwest Dairy representatives, family, friends, general public
Princess Kay of the Milky Way serves as the official goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s nearly 4,000 dairy farmers. The finalists for the title of 2013-2014 Princess Kay of the Milky Way are:
- Meghan Connelly, 19, Rochester, representing Olmsted County, daughter of Kevin and Kathy Connelly;
- Annie Culbertson, 19, Pine Island, representing Olmsted County, daughter of Scott and Tina Culbertson;
- Jeni Haler, 19, Norwood Young America, representing Carver County, daughter of Rick Haler and Connie Haasken;
- Nicole Krumrie, 19, Litchfield, representing Meeker County, daughter of Dan and Beth Krumrie;
- Audrey Lane, 19, Prior Lake, representing Scott and LeSueur Counties, daughter of Burel and Norleen Lane;
- Christine Leonard, 20, Norwood Young America, representing Carver County, daughter of Tim and Amy Leonard;
- Sabrina Ley, 19, Belgrade, representing Stearns County, daughter of Kenny and Cheryl Ley;
- Leah Middendorf, 21, Sauk Centre, representing Stearns County, daughter of Steve and Julie Middendorf;
- Sarah Post, 19, Chandler, representing Murray County, daughter of Bill and Merri Post;
- Chelsea Schossow, 19, Houston, representing Winona County, daughter of Keith Schossow and Cindy Terrill;
- Gabriella Sorg, 17, Hastings, representing Dakota County, daughter of William and Juanita Sorg; and
- McCayla Thoe, 20, Hayfield, representing Dodge County, daughter of Jeff and Susie Thoe.
ABOUT THE PRINCESS KAY PROGRAM
Each year, more than 100 young women from across Minnesota are crowned county dairy princesses. Nearly 60 county dairy princesses participated in judging to become Princess Kay finalists in May. Dairy princesses are selected on the basis of their communication skills, personality, general knowledge of the dairy industry and its products, and their commitment to dairy promotion. The program gives many young women the opportunity to represent the lifestyle in which they were raised. Dairy princesses serve as spokespeople to consumers, conduct media interviews, make classroom visits to educate students about dairy, give speeches to various organizations and make public appearances at promotions or events.
Princess Kay candidates and Minnesota’s county dairy princesses are daughters of dairy farmers, employees of dairy farms, or daughters of dairy farm employees. They must be graduating seniors in high school when crowned, and not yet 24 years old, and they must not be married.
