Miss America Laura Kaeppeler's Education Background

Last Saturday, Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler traded in her sash for a bigger and better title: Miss America 2012. It was a close finale between Kaeppeler and Miss Oklahoma, Betty Thompson, who had the most online votes. However, Kaeppeler wowed the judges with her Irish step dancing, open political views, and beautiful formal gown. EDUinReview will now take a look at this opera-singing beauty’s education background.
Kaeppeler was born in March 1988 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Her parents are Jeff and Sue Kaeppeler and she has two younger siblings, Rachel and Sarah. When Kaeppeler was 17-years old, her father was sentenced to serve time in prison for one year. Kaeppeler formed a support group for children whose parents are incarcerated, Circles of Support.
“I decided to take that on because I was one of those children and I see how important it is for those children,” she told People Magazine of her role in the support group. “Every parent deserves to have a relationship with their child and every child deserves that relation. My dad and I have never been closer.”
On an academic note, Kaeppeler attended St. Joseph High School and graduated in 2006. After high school, she attended Carthage College, where she graduated with a music major, emphasizing in vocal performance. Kaeppeler really shined at Carthage College and was very involved in the school’s music department. She sang in various groups, including The Carthage Choir and The Lincoln Chamber Singers. While she was in college, she had the opportunity to travel abroad for two weeks to Europe, where she participated in a choir tour.
The Miss America Organization is the largest scholarship giver for women in the world, so it is no surprise that Kaeppeler will be receiving a $50,000 scholarship for winning the contest. Since she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in the future in vocal performance or speech pathology, this scholarship will definitely come in handy. Kaeppeler also got an addition $2,000 for her performance of the opera, Il Bacio.

See Also:
Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan’s Education Background
Caressa Cameron Wins Miss America 2010 Scholarship and Crown