About Kathryn
Photo Credit: Paula Preston Photographer
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Kathryn is a Presidential List graduate of Saint Paul College with an AAS in Culinary Arts, and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Minnesota State University - Mankato with a degree in Family and Consumer Science Education (FACS). Her plan of teaching important life skills to our youth, has recently transitioned. Kathryn is thrilled to announce that she has taken a position with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) to be a missionary, and share the beautiful message of the hope and joy of the Gospel with college and university students.
In June of 2019, Kathryn captured the title of Miss Minnesota 2019. She was a double preliminary winner in both the talent award and the evening wear/social impact statement award. She has been awarded over $30,000 in educational scholarships from the Miss Minnesota and Miss America Organizations. A jazz lover at heart, not only does Kathryn sing jazz but Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald are at the top of her play list. She has performed in coffee houses and other venues with her with her awesome jazz pianist, Phineas Pope, and has worked with a jazz group called Ella's Cats. Before becoming a missionary, Kathryn joined the dynamic high energy touring band, Shirts and Skins, and continued performing throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. She also worked with Children's Hospital "Star Studio" where she presented a kids cooking segment called "Snack Attack with Kathryn" and the Dude. |
In 2020, when the pandemic hit, the Miss America Organization canceled the national competition as well as each of the state competitions. That meant a second year for Kathryn and each of the other state titleholders. In June of 2021, she finally passed along her Miss Minnesota crown, attaining the record for the longest=serving Miss Minnesota in history with her 734-day tenure.
During Kathryn's TWO-years of service she continued to build and advocate her Social Impact Initiative, "The Invisible Crown." The Invisible Crown comprehensive online resource provides informative and positive messaging about the Miss America Organization and its legacy to women who are involved. Kathryn advocates for the Miss America Organization not to only women of competition age, but to men and women of all ages, as they are crucial to the success of this organization. |
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Now that Kathryn has retired her tenure as Miss Minnesota, The Invisible Crown has now turned into "Invisible Crown Productions." Partnering with her mother, Vicki Plaster Kueppers, who was Miss Minnesota 1983, they continued to produce videos and content, including several original videos for the 2021 Miss Minnesota Scholarship Competition which was live streamed for the first time ever. The two are excellent at marketing and promotion of Miss America, as together they have worked tirelessly to provide fresh and relevant content. They plan to continue their advocacy of the Miss Minnesota and Miss America Organizations through their messaging of the core values and legacy that the Miss America program holds.
Kathryn's Crowning Moment
Keeping Up with Kat
A few snapshots from pageant week, when Kathryn gave up her crown after 734 days!
As Minnesota slowly started to open back up, Kathryn was able to start making appearances once again, leading up to the state competition in June of 2021!
The world looks a bit different during a pandemic. Kathryn is still grateful for the opportunity to represent Minnesota for this next year.
From Cook, to Waseca, to Nisswa, the Twin Cities, Detroit Lakes, Brainerd, and Perham, it's been a busy few months since the New Year!
Here are photos from my trip to New York in November 2019 to interview on CNBC, and take part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with several of my Miss America sisters. I was also able to visit Miss Minnesota 1984, Lauren Green as Lauren works at Fox News! Fun fact... my mom crowned Lauren Miss Minnesota 1984!
So many appearances over the past few months! What an exciting time!
Highlights of Miss Minnesota Week June 15 - 22, 2019
Competition nights :D
The photos below represent appearances and service work Kathryn did as Miss Coon Rapids, prior to becoming Miss Minnesota 2019.