Miss Rochester Wins 2nd Runner Up And Miss Olmsted Co. Wins Miss Minnesota Crown

Rarely does it happen that a local pageant will have contestants place four in top ten, three in top five, have two runner-ups and one Miss Minnesota! But that's exactly what happened this year. Local pageant director Jillayne Mertens-Baker with the Miss Rochester/Olmsted County Scholarship Organization said, “We have been truly blessed to have great talent, brains, beauty, poised and well rounded ladies come out of Southeast Minnesota! These ladies have worked hard and are so appreciative of the communities support to help them achieve their goals.”  The Miss Rochester/Olmsted Pageant is a preliminary to the Miss America Scholarship Pageant.  Scholarships are awarded and the ladies dedicate their year to service, helping empower the youth and in promoting their “platforms”.  Last night at the Eden Prairie performing arts Center, Miss Rochester Madeline Van Ert (above on the left), placed 2nd runner up and, Miss Olmsted County Rachel Latuff (above on the right), took home the crown of Miss Minnesota 2015!  She will be competing at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City this September.