FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2008
Contact Information:
Editor's Note:
Photo Caption: Front, left to right: Kristy Mussman, Alison Benson, Becky Richter and Brenda Reiter. Middle, left to right: Megan Reeck, Elizabeth Kern, Ashlee Hartwig and Ann Motl. Back, left to right: Laura Weisz, Alysha Thompson, Brittney Strayer and Jeanna Felling.
For individual photos, please contact Sherry Newell.
Twelve Dairy Princesses Advance to Princess Kay Contest
ST. JOSEPH, Minn. - Twelve county dairy princesses from across the state have been named finalists for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way 2008-09. The winners are:
- Alison Benson, 20, McLeod County, daughter of Doug and Marlene Benson of Stewart;
- Jeanna Felling, 20, Stearns County, daughter of Cyril and Deb Felling of Sauk Centre;
- Ashlee Hartwig, 19, Morrison County, daughter of Dan and Patti Hartwig of Swanville;
- Elizabeth Kern, 20, Steele County, daughter of Ken and Lisa Kern of Ellendale;
- Ann Motl, 17, Todd County, daughter of Kimberly Harff and Mike Motl of Browerville;
- Kristy Mussman, 19, Steele County, daughter of Mike and Julie Mussman of Claremont;
- Megan Reeck, 20, Stearns County, daughter of Gary and Lu Anne Reeck of Paynesville;
- Becky Richter, 19, Wadena County, daughter of Bruce and Karyl Richter of Wadena;
- Brenda Reiter, 18, Wabasha County, daughter of Craig and Cathy Reiter of Elgin;
- Brittney Strayer, 19, Wadena County, daughter of Mike and Patty Strayer of Wadena;
- Alysha Thompson, 20, Nicollet County, daughter of Lee and Kimberly Thompson of Nicollet; and
- Laura Weisz, 17, Morrison County, daughter of Christopher and Pamela Weisz of Hillman.
The contestants were announced at the close of a weekend event attended by more than 90 young women who live or work on dairy farms and serve as county dairy princesses. The entire group participated in dairy promotion training and 70 of them also completed judging for the coveted Princess Kay finalist positions.
Each of the twelve finalists will have their likeness sculpted in butter during the Minnesota State Fair. One will be named the 55th Princess Kay of the Milky Way during ceremonies the night before the fair opens.
The dairy princess program is sponsored by Midwest Dairy Association's Minnesota Division through checkoff funds provided by dairy farmers to help increase sales and demand for dairy products. The current Princess Kay is Ann Miron of Hugo, Minn.
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Midwest Dairy Association is a non-profit organization funded by dairy farmers to build demand for dairy products through integrated marketing, nutrition education and research. Per capita consumption of total milk has climbed to 605 pounds today compared with 522 in 1983 when the national dairy checkoff was created.
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