2024 Princess Kay of the Milky Way Finalists

Selena Corona

Representing Stearns County

Selena is the daughter of Steve and Kelly Corona and Ross Lemke. As a first-generation college student, she currently attends the University of Minnesota, where she’ll be a senior studying Animal Science and Agricultural Communications and Marketing with a minor in Agricultural Business Management. Attending events and seeing people get excited about meeting a dairy princess help shape her favorite memories as a dairy princess. If there was one thing she wished more people knew about her is that she loves to make people feel welcome.

Mackenzie Moline

Representing Nicollet County

Mackenzie is the daughter of Gail and Rob Moline. This fall, she will attend Minnesota State University, Mankato, as a freshman studying Dietetics. Although Mackenzie did not grow up on a dairy farm, her passion sparked when she started feeding calves while working at a nearby dairy farm. Highlights as a dairy princess include going on farm tours and sharing dairy stories and dairy products with kids. Outside of the dairy community, Mackenzie loves to show pigs and sheep, take walks with her dog, and grab coffee with her sister.

Miranda Schroder

Representing Houston County

Miranda is the daughter of Sheila and Daniel Schroder. She attends Minnesota State College Southeast where she will be a sophomore studying Accounting. Having grown up on her family’s dairy farm, she loves to milk cattle with her sister and drive the tractor. Some of Miranda’s hobbies include golfing, gardening, quilting, and working on her vegetable box for 4-H. She is motivated by knowing that she is making a difference and always pushing herself to achieve her goals.

Katelyn Welgraven

Representing Pipestone County

Katelyn is the daughter of Jeanna and Keith Welgraven. This fall, she’s entering her sophomore year at the University of South Dakota, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Some of Katelyn’s hobbies include reading, hiking, and crafting. Eating yogurt parfaits for breakfast is her absolute favorite way to eat dairy. One reason she enjoys being a dairy princess is witnessing kids get super excited to see the princesses during school visits and parades.

McKenna Wright

Representing McLeod County

McKenna is the daughter of Heather and Paul Wright. Showing dairy cattle with her siblings and cousins in 4-H tops her favorite dairy memories. The dairy community has helped McKenna grow a passion for all things agriculture. This fall, she will be a sophomore at South Dakota State University, where she is studying Agricultural Education with a minor in digital and social media. She hopes to take what she learns into her future as a high school Agriculture teacher.

Katie Ketchum

Representing Winona County

Katie is the daughter of Mary and Mike Ketchum. She is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she studies Agricultural Education. Katie represents the fourth generation on her family’s farm. She enjoys all aspects of farming, including milking and helping in the field. Through the dairy princess program, she has gained confidence talking with consumers of all ages and loves seeing kids grow their interest in agriculture. Her favorite dairy product is cottage cheese! Some of her hobbies include baking and spending time with her friends and family.

Afton Nelson

Representing Steele County

Afton is the daughter of Stacy and Tim Nelson. She attends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, studying Dairy Science with a Companion Animal minor. Her love for dairy ignited after attending cow camp in Owatonna where she learned about dairy and became active through the lease program. She has enjoyed learning more about dairy through participating in dairy events through 4-H and FFA. Some of her other hobbies include fishing, dance, and having campfires with her family.

Rachel Visser

Representing McLeod County

Rachel is the daughter of Shannon and Barry Visser. Some of Rachel’s hobbies include reading, gardening, and hanging out with friends. This fall, she will be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, double majoring in Agricultural Food and Business Management and Agricultural Communications and Marketing. Her future career goal is to work in dairy statistical analysis. If she could only have one dairy product for the rest for the rest of her life, it would be butter.

Grace Woitalla

Representing Stearns County

Grace is the daughter of Patty and Keith Woitalla. One of her hobbies outside of dairy is collecting houseplants; she has more than 70! Her favorite dairy memory is learning how to milk with her grandpa. She is a sophomore at Ridgewater College, where she is studying both Agribusiness and Precision Agriculture. Grace represents the third generation on her family’s farm, and she hopes to return to the farm and work in agronomy sales and service as her future career.