Laura Kaeppeler Crowned Miss America 2012!

Here she is... Miss America!

Congratulations are in order for Laura Kaeppeler, as this 23-year old brunette from Kenosha, Wisconsin earned the honor in Las Vegas last night, impressing judges with a chic evening gown she compared to Kate Middleton's wedding dress.

Laura Kaeppeler: Vote for Me!

Kaeppeler sang an Italian aria for her talent, while responding to a question about whether or not Miss America winners should voice their political views by rambling on about how they represent the country as a whole and, therefore, no, should remain neutral on all such topics.

Kaeppeler earned a $50,000 scholarship for her victory and hopes to build a platform around mentoring children of incarcerated parents. She's one of those herself.