L-R top row- Emily Benrud (Goodhue County), Brenna Connelly (Olmsted), Mackenzie Craig (Douglas), Emma Friauf (McLeod), Taylor Jerde (Dakota), L-R bottom row- Katherine Maus (Stearns), Maggie Meyer (Meeker), Maggie Molitor (Stearns), Valerie Sauder (Dodge), and Rebeckah Schroeder (Houston County).
Credit: Midwest Dairy
Ten dairy princesses from across Minnesota have been named finalists for the 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way, after participating in virtual judging sessions held May 15-16.
The virtual judging took the place of the Dairy Promotion and Leadership event that is typically held in person but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To compete to be a finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, each princess submitted an application, participated in a personal interview, prepared and delivered a speech, and participated in a mock media interview, all of which took place virtually.
After these events, 10 finalists were selected to compete for the title of Minnesota’s 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way, who will be crowned in August.
The finalists include:
20-year-old Emily Benrud, of Goodhue, representing Goodhue County; daughter of Roger and Michelle Benrud.
19-year-old Brenna Connelly, of Byron, representing Olmsted County; daughter of Craig and Heather Connelly.
19-year-old Mackenzie Craig, of Alexadria, representing Douglas County; daughter of David and Wendy Craig.
19-year-old Emma Friauf, of Glencoe, representing McLeod County; daughter of Wayne and Teri Friauf.
20-year-old Taylor Jerde, of Northfield, representing Dakota County; daughter of Mike Jerde and Sarah Hallcock.
18-year-old Katherine Maus, of Freeport, representing Stearns Country; daughter of Darrel and Lisa Maus.
20-year-old Maggie Meyer, of Grove City, representing Meeker County; daughter of Greg and Patti Meyer.
17-year-old Maggie Molitor, of Rockville, representing Stearns County; daughter of Joe Molitor.
20-year-old Valerie Sauder, of Pine Island, representing Dodge County; daughter of Stan and Amy Sauder.
20-year-old Rebeckah Schroeder, of Caledonia, representing Houston County; daughter of Daniel and Sheila Schroeder.
Princess Kay candidates are judged on their general knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills and enthusiasm for promoting dairy.
Midwest Dairy sponsors the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program, which is funded by dairy farmers through their promotion checkoff.
