Skip to main content

Raina Kaping crowned Miss Litchfield, three named princesses

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on
Newly crowned Miss Litchfield Raina Kaping sheds tears of happiness as candidates Kaylee Sundve, Britney Prahl and Claire Loch applaud during coronation Sunday at Bernie Aaker Auditorium. STAFF PHOTOS BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Raina Kaping reacts with surprise after the Miss Litchfield crown is placed on her head by outgoing Miss Litchfield Claudia Toenjes. Applauding Kaping are fellow candidates Kaylee Sundve, Britney Prahl and Claire Loch — all of whom had a surprise waiting for them with the announcement of the 2022-2023 princess role.STAFF PHOTOS BY BRENT SCHACHERER

It was surprise times three as Kaylee Sundve, Britney Prahl and Claire Loch received their Litchfield princess crowns.

It was a triple surprise Sunday afternoon as three young women received princess crowns — a first for the Miss Litchfield program — during coronation at Bernie Aaker Auditorium. Reacting with stunned excitement are Kaylee Sundve, Britney Prahl and Claire Loch, who will serve as princesses with new Miss Litchfield Raina Kaping during the 2022-2023 royalty year.

2022 Watercade Coronation

Miss Litchfield Raina Kaping and princesses Kaylee Sundve, Britney Prahl and Claire Loch wave to the crowd.

Junior Royalty Helen Nistler and Amora Jimenez receive their crowns from 2021-22 Princesses Haylie Magoon and Abby Shoutz Sunday. Looking on are junior royalty candidates Kyra Urdahl and Brinley Miller.

Helen Nistler and Amora Jimenez receive their Junior Royalty crowns from 2021-2022 princesses Haylie Magoon and Abby Shoutz.

Emcee Megan Yates playfully holds a crown over Watercade grand marshal Gary Gruenke’s head as emcee Shauna Hannan laughs during the coronation July 10.

Emcee Megan Yates playfully holds a crown over Watercade grand marshal Gary Gruenke's head during the coronation Sunday afternoon.

2022 Watercade Coronation

Sara Miller received special recognition for her service to the Litchfield community from the Minneapolis Aquatennial during Sunday's coronation.

2022 Watercade Coronation
2022 Watercade Coronation
2022 Watercade Coronation
2022 Watercade Coronation
2022 Watercade Coronation
2022 Watercade Coronation
2022 Watercade Coronation

A history-making afternoon saw four young women — all four who entered the Miss Litchfield program — receive crowns during the coronation Sunday at Bernie Aaker Auditorium.

Judges selected Raina Kaping as Miss Litchfield, while princess crowns went to Kaylee Sundve, Britney Prahl and Claire Loch.

Coronation attendees might have wondered if something was up when a emcees Megan Yates and Shauna Hannan announced that Miss Litchfield would be crowned first. Traditionally, princesses are chosen first, building the anticipation for the big announcement of Miss Litchfield.

Kaping, who will enter her senior year at Litchfield High School in the fall, was named Miss Litchfield first, however. Kaping also was named Miss Congeniality earlier, while Prahl received the Formal Gown Award, and Sundve was recognized as the candidate who sold the most Watercade buttons.

Then came the surprise.

As the three remaining candidates stood facing the audience, three crowns made their way to the stage behind them. And then each of the outgoing royalty — 2021-2022 Miss Litchfield Claudia Toenjes and princesses Abagayle Soutz and Haylie Magoon — placed crowns on the heads of the new princess trio, who all seemed stunned as the audience cheered.

Copyright 2022 Litchfield Independent/Crow River Media/Media News Group.