Princess Kay of the Milky Way Candidates

After a three-year hiatus, dairy princesses from across
Minnesota convened at the Dairy Promotion and Leadership Event held May 13-14 at
Delta Hotel in Minneapolis. The weekend included opportunities for networking,
leadership workshops and a chance to compete for a finalist spot for Princess Kay of
the Milky Way.
The workshop portion of the event offered princesses a chance to learn more about
themselves and equipped them with tools to promote dairy. Additionally, they learned
how to better advocate for the dairy community while networking with industry peers.
“It was very exciting to see the participants at an in-person event where they learned
how to improve themselves as an advocate for the dairy community,” stated Princess
Committee Chair and dairy farmer Eric Sonnek.
To compete as a finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, candidates submitted an
application, participated in a personal interview, prepared and delivered a speech, and
conducted a mock media interview. After these events, ten finalists were selected to
compete for the title of Minnesota’s 69 th  Princess Kay of the Milky Way, who will be
crowned in August.

The finalists include:
 Alex Christen, 20, of Sauk Centre, representing Stearns county; daughter of Glen
and Becky Christen
 Aly Dieball, 19, of Green Isle, representing Sibley County; daughter of Jim and
Wendy Dieball
 Hailey Frericks, 19, of Albany, representing Stearns county; daughter of Steve and
Tammy Frericks
 Kallie Frericks, 19, of Albany, representing Stearns county; daughter of Steve and
Tammy Frericks
 Ashley Holst, 20, of Kellogg, representing Wabasha county; daughter of Jary and
Celene Holst
 Kiley Lickfelt, 20, of Hutchinson, representing McLeod county; daughter of Trudy
Lickfelt and Ryan Lickfelt

 Briana Maus, 18, of Freeport, representing Stearns county; daughter of Darrel and
Lisa Maus
 Amber Post, 19, of Lake Wilson, representing Murray county; daughter of Grant and
April Post
 Rachel Rynda, 19, of Montgomery, representing Le Sueur county; daughter of
Francis and Theresa Rynda
 Allison Wright, 19, of Hutchinson, representing McLeod county; daughter of Paul and
Heather Wright.

These ten young women will have their likeness carved in butter during the 2022
Minnesota State Fair.

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.