Laura Kaeppeler, '10, was crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, 2012. Photo courtesy of the Miss America Organization.

Laura Kaeppeler, '10, was crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, 2012. Photo courtesy of the Miss America Organization.

Alumni Achievements

Carthage alumna Laura Kaeppeler is Miss America 2012

January 14, 2012

Carthage alumna Laura Kaeppeler was crowned Miss America 2012 on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Miss Kaeppeler graduated from Carthage in 2010 with a degree in music, emphasis in vocal performance. A Kenosha native, she is the first Miss Wisconsin to win the national crown since 1973. Watch the video.

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Miss Kaeppeler performs "Il Bacio" at the Miss America pageant Jan. 14. Photo courtesy of the Miss America organization.

Carthage Music Department chair Peter Dennee, who taught Miss Kaeppeler and directed her in several Carthage vocal ensembles, said he was thrilled to watch her win the crown. "She has this amazing personality that's open and warm and welcoming," he said. "As a student, she's always been a hard worker and a lovely singer."

Miss Kaeppeler began the week-long national competition by taking the top prize in the first preliminary talent competition, winning a $2,000 scholarship for her operatic vocal performance of "Il Bacio."

She performed "Il Bacio" again on the night of the national pageant. Prof. Dennee said he was "completely impressed" by her performance. "I think she had such poise, and it sparkled. ... I think she'll be an amazing ambassador not only for the Miss America organization, but also for her cause and for music."

Crowning moment a blur

In an interview with the Associated Press after winning the national pageant, Miss Kaeppeler said her crowning moment was a blur: "I was crying even before my name was called," she said. "It was just surreal to have this honor."

She received a $50,000 scholarship and will serve as Miss America for one year. Her platform is Circles of Support, a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. She plans to use her scholarship money to pursue a degree in family law.

"I really feel like I've been called to work in this," she told the Associated Press. "Whether I became Miss America or not, this is something that I would pursue in my career no matter what."

Carthage support

Miss Kaeppeler's journey to the national pageant has been closely followed by the Carthage community. Several of her former classmates traveled to Las Vegas to cheer her on.

"She's such an amazing and genuine person, and so talented," said Aileen Farrell, '10, who traveled to Las Vegas to watch the pageant with fellow Carthage alumna Maureen Toomey, '10. Both Aileen and Maureen studied music at Carthage with Miss Kaeppeler. The trio became fast friends. "I'm so excited for her to have this new adventure," Miss Farrell said. "I have no doubt that she's going to work really hard to promote her platform. It's something she's really passionate about and really believes in, so she's going to take this as far as she can."

Carthage alumnus Wendell Olson, '60, a Las Vegas resident, was also in the audience when Miss Kaeppeler was crowned.

"It was just thrilling," Mr. Olson said. "She did just a wonderful job. I was so proud."

He and his wife decided to attend the pageant after learning that Miss Wisconsin graduated from his alma mater. "It was emotional," he said. "It's a compliment to the College and the Carthage Music Department. ... There was some magnificent talent. It was so much fun to see such a nice, nice girl compete and win against 52 other wonderful, talented bright people."

During her time at Carthage, Miss Kaeppeler was a member of the Carthage Choir, the Lincoln Chamber Singers, and the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus; and a Music Department Honor's Recital Participant.

Her platform comes from her personal experience as the child of an incarcerated parent. She founded Circles of Support, a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. "Nationwide, more than 2 million children have a parent who is incarcerated in a state or federal prison, or local jail," she stated in a description of her platform on the Miss Wisconsin website. "Children with imprisoned parents are almost six times more likely than their peers to become involved in crime and become incarcerated at some point in their lives."

Miss Kaeppeler in the evening gown competition. Photo courtesy of the Miss America organization.


Related Links:
Carthage alumna named Miss America 2012
Carthage students and faculty: Miss America 2012 is dedicated, genuine
Carthage's Laura Kaeppeler, '10, wins Miss America preliminary talent competition
Learn more about the Carthage Music Department
Recent Carthage graduate crowned Miss Wisconsin