Dairy princesses from across Minnesota gathered for the Dairy Promotion and Leadership Event held May 18-20 at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. The weekend consisted of a leadership training, a chance to compete for a finalist spot for Princess Kay of the Milky Way and plenty of networking opportunities.
The leadership conference offered the princesses a chance to learn about themselves and how to use their skills to promote dairy. They also learned how to be better advocates for the dairy community and networked with industry leaders and peers.
To compete to be a finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, each princess had to submit an application, participate in a personal interview, prepare and deliver a speech, and participate in a mock media interview. From there, 12 finalists were named to go on to compete for the title of Minnesota’s 65th Princess Kay of the Milky Way.
The finalists include:
- Amy Broll, Chaska, daughter of Dan and Kathie Broll, and representing Carver County;
- Blaize Dankers, Plainview, daughter of Annette and Travis Reimers, and representing Wabasha County;
- Katherine Gathje, Richmond, daughter of Scott and Denise Gathje, and representing Meeker County;
- Laura Grimm, Waconia, daughter of Joel and Barb Grimm, and representing Carver County;
- Megan Hollermann, Burtrum, daughter of Shawn and Debbie Hollermann, and representing Todd County;
- Korissa Lindquist, Kerkhoven, daughter of Rod and Naomi Lindquist, and representing Kandiyohi County;
- Calissa Lubben, Edgerton, daughter of Cal and Char Lubben, and representing Rock County;
- Ashley Maus, Freeport, daughter of Darrel and Lisa Maus, and representing Stearns County;
- Melendy Miller, Plainview, daughter of Stacy and Julie Miller, and representing Wabasha County;
- Julia Mullenbach, Rose Creek, daughter of Al and Lynette Mullenbach, and representing Mower County;
- Rebekka Paskewitz, Browerville, daughter of Alan and Vicki Paskewitz, and representing Todd County; and
- Catherine Thompson, Plainview, daughter of Donny and Holly Thompson, and representing Olmsted County.
These 12 young women will have their likeness carved in blocks of butter during the 2018 Minnesota State Fair. Princess Kay and county dairy princesses make appearances to help explain dairy farm families’ commitment to taking care of their animals and resources while providing nutrient-rich dairy products.
