Laura Kaeppeler

Laura Marie Kaeppeler-Fleiss (born March 2, 1988) is an American beauty pageant titleholder crowned Miss America 2012 on January 14, 2012, representing the state of Wisconsin. Kaeppeler was the first woman representing Wisconsin to win Miss America since Terry Anne Meeuwsen won Miss America 1973.

Background

Kaeppeler was born to Jeff and Sue Kaeppeler in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 2009 Kaeppeler won the title of Miss Kenosha. She then went on to win the talent preliminary award and was second runner-up to Miss Wisconsin 2010, Kimberly Sawyer. One year later Kaeppeler won the title of Miss Southern Wisconsin 2010. At the 2011 Miss Wisconsin Pageant, she won the preliminary talent award, which she tied with Raeanna Johnson, who later took over the Miss Wisconsin title after Laura won Miss America. She attended St. Joseph High School and Carthage College, where she graduated in 2010 with a degree in music.

2012 Miss America pageant

Kaeppeler received a $2000 scholarship for winning a Preliminary Talent award with her rendition of the Luigi Arditi waltz "Il Bacio". In the swimsuit competition, she wore a white bikini. When asked if beauty queens should declare their political viewpoint, she answered, "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." She chose a platform of supporting and mentoring children of incarcerated parents. Her father had served 18 months in prison for mail fraud. She was wearing a black customized Tony Bowls beaded dress as she accepted the winner's crown and a $50,000 scholarship at the pageant.