Miss America Visits Sioux Falls

Miss America is in Sioux Falls on Thursday to share a personal message.

She met with local children who have family members in prison. Laura Kaeppelar told the kids she was once in their shoes. Her father served 18 months for his role in a Ponzi scheme.

“It was something that was very public in my community. It was in the papers, it was on the news, it was very much broadcast and because of that, it was very embarrassing. It was very shameful and it was very isolating,” Kaeppelar said.

Kaeppelar is the guest of honor and keynote speaker at "Celebrating Hope."

The event gets underway at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the downtown Holiday Inn. It will raise money for Family Connection, an organization for children who have a mother or father in prison.