Jena Hanson Crowned 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way

Hanson, representing Steele County, edged out nine other finalists to secure the title. The competition evaluates participants on their communication skills, industry knowledge, and overall enthusiasm for the dairy sector. Alongside the crowning, judges named Isabella Schiffler and Jaiden Smith as runners-up, while Smith also received the Miss Congeniality award. Scholarship honors were distributed among Hanson, Schiffler, and Claudia Frenchick.

Her first task involves a Minnesota State Fair tradition: sitting in a rotating glass cooler while sculptor Gerry Kulzer carves her likeness from a 90-pound block of butter. Hanson will undergo this process on August 27 and 28, followed by the other finalists throughout the remainder of the fair. Sponsored by Midwest Dairy, the program aims to bridge the gap between consumers and producers through educational outreach, classroom visits, and public speaking engagements focused on dairy nutrition and environmental stewardship.