Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler: Crowned as 2012 Miss America

The long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands crowned their new Ms America for this year 2012 that was the the 91st Miss America.

The pageant was held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on January 14 joined by 53 young women across the United States, and was hosted Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke.

Among the beautiful ladies who joined the pageant aiming for the crown to represent the US, a 23-year-old lady representing Wisconsin made her way to success!

Laura Kaeppeler, a beauty queen from Kenosha, Wisconsin, marks the first time Miss Wisconsin has taken home the crown since 1972 with her platform supporting and mentoring children of incarcerated parents. Laura won the $50,000 scholarship and a yearlong run with the crown after answering a question about whether Miss America should declare her political affiliation by saying,

“Miss America represents everyone, so I think the message to political candidates is that they represent everyone as well. And so in these economic times, we need to be looking forward to what America needs, and I think Miss America needs to represent all.”

Meanwhile, Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson came in second, while Miss New York Kaitlyn Monte placed third.

Kaeppeler was chosen as the winner by a panel of seven judges during a live telecast on ABC.

Congratulations Laura! You’ve made it!