The cheese stands alone

Laura Kaeppeler
www.thepetitionsite.com

   Well, even though (sadly) the Packers couldn't get the job done against the Giants today, the state of Wisconsin can be proud of a singular performance on Saturday.
   That's when Laura Kaeppeler was crowned Miss America 2012, despite a lackluster answer during the Q&A portion and a forgettable attempt at opera.
   What probably impressed the judges was her platform of supporting and mentoring children of incarcerated parents.
   According to The Associated Press, the father of the Kenosha native served 18 months in federal prison for mail fraud. Ouch ... and when you think about it, it's quite remarkable the judges would vote for her given this unfortunate blemish that was certain to become public knowledge.
   Then again, it takes a good bit of courage to take on such an 'unstylish' topic head on.
   The 23-year-old is the first Miss America from the Cheese State since 1972.
   I was glad to see her win and thrilled to see a brunette crowned as opposed to a fake blonde.
   In all fairness, my astute spouse predicted Kaeppeler would be the winner when the final group of 15 lined up (and how, how Miss South Carolina was in the top group is an unfathomable mystery to me.)

   So while the Pack packed it in for a long, chilly winter in Green Bay [let's face it, the New Jersey Giants were a better football team today], Laura will be packing up for a year's tour of the other states, most of which are much, much warmer.