KENOSHA, Wis.— It might not be a bad time for college students to start thinking about scholarships for the next school year already. 

One Carthage College alumni is making that opportunity a reality. 

In June, 2010 graduate Laura Kaeppeler of Kenosha gifted the school with a scholarship fund to help Kenosha students entering college. Kaeppeler is not only an alumni and from Wisconsin, but is also former Miss America from 2012, an advocate for at-risk youth and an inspirational speaker. 

Kaeppeler said after the struggles of the pandemic and after what the community of Kenosha has been through over the past year, she wanted to give back. 

“There are really good people here,” said Kaeppeler. “It's no coincidence that the saying is the midwest has the salt of the earth people, it’s true. So to be able to get back in this way is really heartwarming and it's something I hope I can continue to do in the future.” 

The Laura Kaeppeler Scholarship is renewable for up to four years and worth more than $125,000. The application will be available in October and the deadline to apply is December 2021.

To apply and for more information about the Laura Kaeppeler Kenosha Scholarship, click here.

Editor's Note: Kaeppeler has been updated to reflect the correct spelling.