New Miss America crusades for children of incarcerated adults

New Miss America crusades for children of incarcerated adults

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS

The nation’s newest Miss America is a 23-year-old Wisconsin brunette who had long conversations with her family mulling whether or not to make her father’s jail time for mail fraud the heart of her campaign in the beauty pageant.

While her competitors pushed platforms including promoting the health benefits of milk and protecting the environment, Laura Kaeppeler said she wants children of incarcerated adults to feel less alone, to have mentoring and as much of a relationship with their parents as possible.

“There are many of you out there — and I was one of them — but it doesn’t have to define you,” Kaeppeler told The Associated Press after winning the crown and $50,000 scholarship on Saturday night.

To win, she said beauty queens and politicians should remember they represent all Americans, sang an opera song and strutted in a white bikini and black evening gown.

Her looks, smarts and personal vocation impressed a panel of seven celebrity judges enough to give her the next year with the title.

“What happened with my father is not what my year is going to be focused on,” she said. “It’s going to be focused on looking forward and moving to the future because that’s what my family has done and that’s what I’ll encourage others to do, as well.”

Kaeppeler estimated that there are more than 2 million children with a parent in jail.