ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Twelve county dairy princesses have been named finalists for Minnesota’s 63rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way, an icon for the state’s dairy community best known for the Minnesota State Fair butter sculptures associated with it.
The 12 women, who come from dairy farm families or work on dairy farms, were named today (Sunday, May 15, 2016) at the end of a weekend dairy princess workshop at St. Cloud State University. Each now has a chance to be crowned Princess Kay just before the opening of the State Fair in August, and will be sculpted in butter during the fair.
The finalists include:
- Kalley Berg, 20, Olmsted County, daughter of Tom and Penny Berg of Pine Island;
- Haley Hinrichs, 18, Goodhue County, daughter of Tim Hinrichs of Goodhue;
- Makaila Klejeski, 18, Dodge County, daughter of Jon and Kim Klejeski of Claremont;
- Morgan Krause, 18, Wright County, daughter of Charles and Robyn Krause of Buffalo;
- Annette Kyllo, 23, Olmsted County, daughter of Paul and Susan Kyllo of Byron;
- Kayla Leiding, 19, Fillmore County, daughter of Todd and Stacy Leiding of Fountain;
- Sabrina Portner, 19, Brown County, daughter of Tom and Mary Portner of Sleepy Eye;
- Kiersten Sabolik, 18, Douglas County, daughter of Gary and Beth Sabolik of Kensington;
- Kelly Schouviller, 19, Becker County, daughter of John and Linda Schouviller of Callaway;
- Meghan Skiba, 19, Isanti County, daughter of Christopher and Melissa Skiba of Cambridge;
- Emily Stocker, 18, Scott County, daughter of Rick and Ann Stocker of Jordan; and
- Stephanie Sukalski, 19, Mower County, daughter of Chris and Troy Sukalski of LeRoy.
The finalists were selected from nearly 50 county dairy princesses on the basis of their passion for dairy and communication skills. Princess Kay and county dairy princesses make appearances to help explain dairy farmers’ commitment to taking care of their animals and resources while providing wholesome, nutritious and affordable dairy products.
Midwest Dairy Association manages the program.