Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler hails from Kenosha Wisconsin!

[undeterred]

(CNN) -- Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler was crowned Miss America 2012 at the pageant in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old's platform is mentoring children of incarcerated parents. She performed operatic vocals in the talent competition.

Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson, was first runner-up; Miss New York Kaitlin Monte, was second runner-up; Miss Arizona Jennifer Sedler, was third runner-up; and Miss California Noelle Freeman, was fourth runner-up.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/14/showbiz/miss-america/?hpt=us_t3

Anyone know what her political leanings are?

[xmas74]

1. I don't know.

I read that she plans on using her scholarship for law school and wants to eventually enter politics.

I'm just happy to see someone from my original hometown.

[undeterred]

2. That is awesome that she wants to go into politics!

Re: her platform

Apparently her father went to prison for mail fraud. She knew it woud come up, so she addressed it directly by making her platform mentoring the children of incarcerated parents. Way to go. I hope she stays in Wisconsin for law school- she's 23- and follows the Progressive tradition.

[xmas74]

5. She has a few good choices for law school in the state.

I'm sure there will be additional scholarships if she chooses to attend school in-state.

I would think that, with a platform like hers, she wouldn't exactly be a conservative.

[undeterred]

6. Its hard to say.

They all have platforms, and there is a lot more substance than there used to be in the pageants. But the pageants don't like their winners to be too opinionated while they are still wearing the crown, if I remember correctly.

Maybe she'll get to be a mentor for the children of some corrupt Republicans who go to prison...

[xmas74]

7. Even on local to state level

you can't be too opinionated and you cannot express any kind of political views, if you want to advance.

It's not a common platform and it's one that hits home for her. That's what makes it so much more interesting, compared to the "world peace" and "save the children" platforms of the past.

[undeterred]

8. I remember hearing about a program asking for volunteers

to accompany children on bus rides to visit their parent in prison.

They wanted people who could commit to doing it at least one day a month- but it was a long day and could be a very emotional day for the child. You would be going along to support them. They wanted people who could do it for a long period of time, like a year. It wasn't easy to find people who were able and willing to do this. I wonder if this is the kind of thing she is doing.

[xmas74]

10. We have a program like that in Missouri.

There is another, similar to a Big Brother/Big Sister, where they spend time with a child once a month and take them fun places. And we have programs for Christmas and birthdays.

Missouri has many, many people in prison.

[sybylla]

3. At least if the Packers lose we still have Laura Kaeppeler

Way to go Laura!

[undeterred]

4. Maybe we should have had her sing at the half time show for inspiration ...

This game is not going well.

[a kennedy]

9. Loved the part where she says "Aaron Rodgers if you're watching, call me"....

although I'm not laughing today, I'm still sick over the game the Packers lost.

[Sera_Bellum]

11. What a lovely young woman.

Wish there was more diversity in the talent portion however. Singing, dancing and playing the piano seems to emcompass over 90% of this segment. For years. A friend told me when she was a little girl but recalls clearly one of the contestants juggled shrunken heads (not real) back in '73 '74 or so. This was so awesome in her mind she still talks about it today!

Can not find the video of the performance. Darnit!

The swimsuit competition is oh so not necessary.