DAIRY ST R Special Edition
May 10, 2014
There’s nothing else like Princess Kay McWilliam reflects on her reign in the Milk Way BY MISSY MUSSMAN Staff writer
WINGER, Minn. – MarJenna McWilliam has realized how much of an impact Princess Kay makes in Minnesota, especially after receiving a photo of a young girl dressing up as her for Halloween this past year. “I adore children, and it was such a heartwarming moment,” McWilliam said. “I used to look up to Princess Kay as a kid, and now I get to be that role model for other little kids. I realized I really am making an impact.” That moment has stuck with McWilliam, the daughter of Bruce and La Vonne McWilliam of Winger, Minn., through her reign as the 60th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. “It has really stood out to me,” she said. McWilliam recalled the little girl’s costume, which consisted of a navy blue dress with polka dots just like hers, a crown and a sash that said Princess Kay. But what really drew McWilliam’s attention were the barn boots she wore with it. “She depicted Princess Kay perfectly,” she said. “Those barn boots represent the fact that dairy princesses have the title but work hard and have roots on the farm.” McWilliam was crowned as the 60th Princess Kay of the Milky Way last August, but the reality of it didn’t sink in until the first parade during the Minnesota State Fair. “People were screaming, ‘Princess Kay! Princess Kay!’,” McWilliam said. “I thought, ‘oh my goodness that is me’.” Serving as Princess Kay is something she never imagined
for herself. “I wasn’t expecting to make it this far,” McWilliam said. “I am extremely grateful to the dairy farmers for the opportunity to represent Minnesota’s dairy industry.” During her reign, McWilliam has encountered some very interesting questions from consumers. However, at the state fair one woman came up and asked her if people eat alfalfa and if cows eat meat. “No matter how random the questions are, they have started a conversation with me and it is an opportunity to respond with accuracy,” McWilliam said. “I can share the true picture of dairy with them.” Since the state fair, McWilliam has led a busy life balancing school at North Dakota State University and traveling the state for the numerous events including the Farm Bureau annual meeting where she met Senator Amy Klobuchar and Minnesota’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Dave Frederickson. “I never would have expected to meet such prestigious people,” McWilliam said. “We
DAIRY STAR FILE PHOTO
MarJenna McWilliam promotes one of the Dairy Goodness Bar’s cheese treats during an interview with Channel 5 News at the Minnesota State Fair. other promotion McWilliam has been busy working with. “Being able to run out of the tunnel at a Vikings game was great,” McWilliam said. “It was amazing to talk to the students and see how successful their programs are.” Classroom visits have also kept McWilliam busy. She has
“No matter how random the questions are, they have started a conversation with me and it is an opportunity to respond with accuracy.”
– PRINCESS KAY MARJENNA MCWILLIAM talked about issues regarding legislation and the farm bill. Seeing that side of the dairy industry was interesting and impactful for me.” Fuel Up to Play 60 is an-
visited with students ranging from preschool to 10th grade at about 10 different schools. “I love interacting with all the different age groups,” McWilliam said.
One of her most memorable visits was kicking off a Fuel Up to Play 60 program with a group of seventh graders. “I autographed 200 notebooks and even some milk cartons,” McWilliam said. “It was great talking to those students. They were so excited about what I had to say.” These visits are geared to the students, but there was one where the adults were impacted as much as the students. There was a mom that wouldn’t allow her kids to drink chocolate milk because she thought it wasn’t good for them with the added sugar. “I reminded her it was only three percent more sugar but showed her the nutrition they would get from chocolate milk,” McWilliam said. “She told me her kids were going to drink chocolate milk now. I didn’t expect to make an impact on the adults, too. Just a simple message about the im-
portance of dairy in the diet can make a difference.” Despite her busy schedule, Bruce and La Vonne, her sister, Marissa, and her grandmother have been able to travel with her to her numerous events. “They’ve had fun traveling with me. I’ve been able to spend more time with them,” McWilliam said. “They get to see a different side of me. It makes it really special.” McWilliam and her family are already gearing up for the busy summer ahead with breakfasts on the farm and numerous other June Dairy Month promotions. “I am so excited for the summer. I will be able to meet more people and visit with numerous dairy farmers across the state,” McWilliam said. “It is one of the perks of being Princess Kay.” Before summer starts, McWilliam will be welcoming 12 Turn to MCWILLIAM | Page 2
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