Miss America 2012

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler was crowned Miss America 2012 and said her mission is to make children of incarcerated adults, as she was, feel less alone.

Kaeppeler, was 17 and attending Carthage College studying vocal performance looking toward a graduate degree in speech and language pathology when her father Jack was sent to jail for mail fraud, USA Today reported Sunday.

Now 23, she has since founded Circles of Support, a group mentoring children of incarcerated adults, the Miss Wisconsin Web site said.

"Her platform ... comes from her personal experience as the child of an incarcerated parent," the Web site said.

Kaeppeler performed opera for her talent segment and didn't shock anyone when asked whether beauty queens should out their own politics, the Detroit Free Press reported.

"Miss America represents everyone, so I think the message to political candidates is that they represent everyone as well," Kaeppeler said. "We need to be looking forward to what America needs, and I think Miss America needs to represent all."

Second place went to Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson and Miss New York Kaitlyn Monte placed third.