Sister to Sister, Miss Minnesota Alumnae 
has supported the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Fund through its Crowns & Gowns Galas.

2018 Crowns & Gowns Ball 
Honoring the 70th Anniversary of BeBe Shopp

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The First CROWNS & GOWNS BALL, took place on Friday, June 15, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Mall of America. This was a very special evening as it honored the 70th anniversary of Minnesota's first Miss America, BeBe Shopp, Miss America 1948.

In attendance were Dorothy Benham, Miss America 1977, Gretchen Carlson, Miss America 1989, and Cara Mund, the reigning Miss America. When BeBe was crowned 70 years earlier, she never received a Miss America crown. As a big surprise to BeBe, she was crowned on this night by Cara Mund, with an official Miss America crown.

Images of the Ball were captured by our photojournalist, Sarah Morriem. 

2018 Crowns & Gowns Ball
Chairperson: Dorothy Benham, Miss America 1977

Crowns & Gowns Gala 2014

The Second annual CROWNS & GOWNS GALA, took place on Friday, June 13, 2014 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Mall of America. Highlights of the evening included a performances by Leah Sykes, Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Jack & Ben from the "Up & At 'Em" morning radio show, a special message by Lauren Green, Miss Minnesota 1984 and an inspirational performance by Ben Utecht with Rebecca Yeh on violin and even a children's chorus.
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We also honored our 70th anniversary Miss Minnesota, Patricia Cummings (pictured here with her new crown!)
Guests were treated to a red carpet arrival, a display of the anniversary Miss Minnesota’s crowns and gowns, and the Miss Minnesota portrait gallery. Sister to Sister is pleased once again to donate $10,000 to Miss Minnesota Scholarship Fund. Image Sarah Morriem. 

2014 Crowns & Gowns Gala Committee
Co-Chairs:  Vicki Plaster Kueppers '83 & Karyn Stordahl Utecht '05
Honorary Co-Chairs: Rob & Chris Kilgarrif and Steven & JoAnne Knuittila
Siri Freeh '12, Kathryn Knuttila Karg '10, Brooke Kilgarriff '09
Eileen VanDriest Clift '94, Jo Bender Rathmanner '92
Mary Williams Jasicki '68, Charlotte Sims Olein '67 
Amy Schilling, Graphic Designer

Crowns & Gowns Gala 2013

The Sister to Sister organization of Miss Minnesota Alumnae presented the first Crowns and Gowns Gala, at the beautiful Radisson Blu Hotel at the Mall of America. Highlights of the evening included welcoming our three Miss America’s, Gretchen Carlson, Dorothy Benham and BeBe Shop. Guests were treated to a red carpet arrival, a display of the anniversary Miss Minnesota’s crowns and gowns, and the Miss Minnesota portrait gallery. There was a silent auction and a program featuring all 22 contestants in a “Show Us Your Shoes” parade. They were pleased to donate $10,000 to Miss Minnesota Scholarship Fund.  The Gala was captured by our official photojournalist, Sarah Morriem.
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2013 Crowns & Gowns Gala Committee
Co-Chairs:  Vicki Plaster Kueppers '83 & Karyn Stordahl Utecht '05
Honorary Co-Chairs: Rob & Chris Kilgarrif and Steven & JoAnne Knuittila
Kathryn Knuttila Karg '10, Jennifer Ostergaard '97
Eileen VanDriest Clift '94, Mary Williams Jasicki '68
Charlotte Sims Olein '67