ST. PAUL, Minn. (KWAD) — Jena Hanson of Owatonna has been crowned Minnesota’s 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

The 20-year-old college student, representing Steele County, received the title Wednesday evening during a ceremony at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Hanson is the daughter of Steve and Suzie Hanson and attends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

As Princess Kay, Hanson will spend the next year serving as a goodwill ambassador for nearly 1,500 dairy farm families across Minnesota. She will make public appearances, visit classrooms and speak with consumers about dairy farming, nutrition and the industry’s efforts toward environmental sustainability.

Hanson was one of 10 dairy princesses from across the state competing for the title.

Isabella Schiffler of Albany and Jaiden Smith of Melrose, both representing Stearns County, were selected as runners-up. Hanson, Schiffler and Claudia Frenchick of St. Martin, representing Meeker County, received scholarships. Smith was also selected as Miss Congeniality.

Hanson’s first official duty comes immediately as the Minnesota State Fair gets underway Thursday.

She will spend Thursday and Friday inside the rotating cooler at the Dairy Building while Minnesota artist Gerry Kulzer carves her likeness from a 90-pound block of butter.

The butter sculpting tradition will continue throughout the State Fair, with each of this year’s Princess Kay finalists getting a turn in the cooler.

Jaiden Smith of Melrose is scheduled for Saturday, followed by Morgan Morrow of Princeton on Sunday, Isabella Schiffler of Albany on Monday and Claudia Frenchick of St. Martin on Tuesday.

Gracie Sellner of Sleepy Eye will have her likeness carved Wednesday, Sept. 2, followed by Daisy Zimmermann of Sauk Centre on Thursday, Stephanie Dykstra of Bigelow on Friday, Kalley Christen of Lester Prairie on Saturday and Elizabeth Coudron of Milroy on Sunday, Sept. 6.

Princess Kay and the other finalists will also make appearances near the Butter Sculpture Booth in the Dairy Building throughout the fair.

Candidates for Princess Kay are judged on their knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills and enthusiasm for dairy.

The Princess Kay of the Milky Way program is sponsored by Midwest Dairy and funded by dairy farmers through their promotion checkoff.