DAIRY ST R
Special Edition
May 8, 2021
Finding creative ways to connect Connelly embraces Princess Kay role, reaches consumers through virtual avenues By Andrea Borgerding andrea.b@dairystar.com
BYRON, Minn. – Having many opportunities to connect with people of all ages across Minnesota and having meaningful conversations is what makes the Princess Kay role enjoyable to 20-year-old Brenna Connelly. “The Minnesota dairy farmers that I get to represent are kind, driven, passionate and innovative,” Connelly said. “I love getting to share their stories with the people I meet and interact with them both in-person and virtually.” Connelly has been serving as the 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way and is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying agricultural communication and marketing. She grew up working on her cousin’s 60-cow dairy farm near Byron and has been active showing dairy cattle and dairy judging. She is the daughter of Craig and Heather. Connelly was crowned the evening of Aug. 12, 2020, in a limited capacity banquet due to the coronavirus
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Brenna Connelly is serving as the 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Connelly is a student at University of Minnesota – Twin CiƟes in St. Paul, Minnesota.
pandemic restrictions. She was grateful to have a few of her closest family and friends with her in what would be a
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Brenna Connelly stands with the buƩerhead carved in her likeness Aug. 13, 2020, in the Dairy Building at the Minnesota State Fairgounds.
special, life-changing moment. “I was honored and excited to begin my very own journey as the 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way,” Connelly said. “It made it even more special that Amy Kyllo and I were from the same county and had served as county dairy princesses together.” After the crown was placed on her head, Connelly began a journey that started with a dream when she was a young girl showing dairy cattle. “I always looked up to the princesses and I dreamed of being in their shoes,” Connelly said. “Every year I watched the nalists take the stage, and I always loved watching the new Princess Kay being crowned.” Connelly’s unconventional crowning was just the beginning of what would be an unconventional reign for Princess Kay. Due to pandemic restrictions, Connelly has been fullling most of her duties as the dairy community’s goodwill ambassador by connecting through
social media channels and engaging in virtual classroom visits. Considering the challenging circumstances, Connelly is thankful to have social media to communicate with a broad audience during her reign. The day following her coronation, Connelly completed her rst interview as Princess Kay with WCCO Morning Show. Shortly after, she was brought to the Dairy Building on the state fairgrounds to begin having her likeness carved in butter. In the absence of the state fair, Connelly was allowed a group of family and friends to join her during her time in the butter booth. “Although this day looked different than any other year, it was a very exciting day and one of my favorites so far,” Connelly said. Throughout the day, Connelly completed numerous media interviews while also connecting with a virtual audience through Facebook Live events. “It was a very surreal day to nally have my very own butter sculpture but the hustle and liveliness of fairgoers in the building were surely missed,” Connelly said. Continuing her reign, Connelly participated in promotional events including touring Open Arms of Minnesota a nonprot that delivers meals to critically ill clients. Each week they send out 382 gallons of milk to their clients. Connelly also took part in the lming of Virtual Youth Training Camp videos developed by the Minnesota Vikings football team. “I was able to work alongside Fuel Up to Play 60 youth ambassadors to create interactive exercise videos,” Connelly said. She was also a part of the virtual celebration of the 2020 Fuel Up to Play 60 Hometown Grant Award that provides a local school district with $10,000 to help reinforce health and physical activity programming within its schools. “I was able to share with the students the life of a dairy farmer and how benecial dairy can be to their diets,” Connelly said. “On the call, we Turn to CONNELLY | Page 23
Introducing Your County Dairy Princesses For 2021... DISCLAIMER: The county dairy princesses featured in this special section are not necessarily going on to compete for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way. The section serves to recognize all dairy princess at the county level.