FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — Kristy Mussman, a college student from Claremont in southern Minnesota, was crowned the 55th Princess Kay of the Milky Way on Wednesday night, on the eve of the Minnesota State Fair.

As Princess Kay, Mussman, 19, who represents Steele County, will serve as a goodwill ambassador for the state’s nearly 5,000 dairy farmers. She’s a student at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, majoring in applied economics with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in mass communications.
One of her first duties will be to sit in a rotating cooler for nearly eight hours today on the opening day of the State Fair to have her likeness sculpted in a 90-pound block of butter. Each of the 11 other finalists also will have her likeness carved in butter during the fair.

Ann Motl of Browerville, representing Todd County, and Ashlee Hartwig of Swanville, representing Morrison County, were named runners-up. Hartwig also was named Miss Congeniality.

Scholarships were awarded to Elizabeth Kern, of Ellendale, representing Steele County; Megan Reeck, of Paynesville, representing Stearns County; and Becky Richter, of Wadena, representing Wadena County.

Candidates are judged on their general knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills, personality and enthusiasm for dairy promotion. The Midwest Dairy Association sponsors the program.

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