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Special Edition
May 8, 2010
Wearing her dairy heart on her sleeve
Olson shows true emotions as 56th Princess Kay By Krista M. Sheehan Staff writer
HUTCHINSON, Minn. – Elizabeth Olson said the only challenge she’s encountered so far during her reign as Princess Kay has been holding back her emotions. “I wear my heart on my sleeve when I go to my events,” said the 19-year-old Hutchinson native. “After a lot of my speeches I get emotional.” But she said her tears are for the pride and enjoyment she has in representing her family and other dairy producers in Minnesota as the 56th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Since the start of her reign at the Minnesota State Fair in August, Olson said she has been following her heart. “My mom always says ‘do what you love’ and that’s what
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Princess Kay of the Milky Way Elizabeth Olson does a cooking with dairy demonstration during the annual Home and Garden Show in Minneapolis.
I’m doing,” Olson said, holding back tears with a quiver in her voice. “Dairy farmers are the people who raised me and who brought me to where I am now. I’m doing this for them and for everyone in the industry.” Now two-thirds of the way through her reign, Olson said the months as Princess Kay have been meaningful, memorable and wonderful. “All the people at the events and appearances have made this year more than I expected it to be,” she said. Interacting and visiting with people has been what Olson has enjoyed the most in her role, whether talking with producers or consumers. “Producer appearances touch my heart,” Olson said. “To be able to tell (dairy producers) what I do for them is huge for me. It’s telling them, ‘You may not have enough time to do some of the same things I’m doing, but I’m happy to do it for you. It’s an honor.’” At the Midwest Dairy Expo in December, Olson spoke to dairy producers and dairy leaders. She’s also been to dairy princess banquets, including the one in her home county of McLeod, and the state all-breeds dairy convention. Although producer appearances are important, Olson said consumer appearances are what make a difference, especially talking with kids and moms. Olson has enjoyed visiting 10 schools with Viktor the Viking, the mascot of the Minnesota Vikings, for the program, “Eat Right, Get Moving With Viktor.” Viktor – who has visited nearly 80 schools – and Olson lead elementary school assemblies promoting healthy eating choices and be-
ing physically active by playing 60 minutes. “I cannot say enough how effective it is,” Olson said. “Kids scream, cheer and get so excited that some days I have to plug my ears.” Olson also attended Ag Awareness Day hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Agricultural Education Club. “The U of M is a very urban school. This year there have been a lot of hot buttons with consumers about how food is produced and it showed at this event,” Olson said. “People are educated, but they’re just misguided.” Olson took the opportunity to have conversations with concerned consumers and shift their assumptions. “Conveying heart, personality and values – that’s where positive promotion happens,” Olson said about the day. A new event for Princess Kay this year was attending the convention for the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians. “Being able to say my mom’s a doctor and my dad is a farmer has been very effective,” Olson said. “The awareness of the health benefits (of dairy products) has been increasing. It’s been great to tie (dairy) in with family physicians because our population is aging and more people are looking at what their food is doing for them.” Olson has also done other promotions with her mom, Laura – cooking on morning television shows, attending medical conferences and talking with senior citizens about osteoporosis at the hospital where Laura works. “But everyone in my family keeps me going and helps me out with my role,” said Ol-
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Elizabeth Olson (19) from Hutchinson, Minn., has been promoting the dairy industry as the 56th Princess Kay of the Milky Way since last August. Now two-thirds of the way through her reign, Olson said the experiences has been enjoyable and emotional.
son, mentioning her dad, Loren; sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Kelly; brother and sister-in-law, Luke and Tanya; and sister, Lana; and especially her mom as mentioned above. The Princess Kay role has been an everyday experience for Olson, whether she is planning for appearances, writing speeches, going to events, or working on her blog or Facebook page. She’s also been preparing for the last four months of her reign. Although winter has been busy with 10 appearances per month and the spring has averaged about three per week, the rest of the spring and this summer will be Olson’s busy time. “I’m looking forward to May Event. It’s an adrenaline rush. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the princess-
es, catching up with my fellow Princess Kay finalists from last year and meeting the next Princess Kay finalists,” Olson said. In June, Olson is scheduled for an appearance at least every day and sometimes two in one day with still some openings for other large dairy events upon request. “It will be a jam packed month, but I’m ready and excited for it,” Olson said. “The dairy industry can never have too much promotion going on.” And in addition to wearing the crown and sash at these promotional events, Olson will continue to wear her dairy heart on her sleeve. “I love what I’m doing, and I love the people I’m working with and for. This experience has been wonderful beyond words.”
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