Laurel Lea Schaefer was Miss America 1972. A native of Bexley, Ohio, Schaefer received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Ohio University in June 1971. Three months later she won the Miss America Pageant. After Miss America, Laurel effectively parlayed her theatre arts and music degree into an extensive and varied entertainment career. Her training afforded her opportunities as a leading lady to notables such as: Howard Keel, John Davidson, Peter Marshall, Ed Ames, Joe Namath, Giorgio Tozzi, and Gorden MacRae. This reflect such productions as; "The Music Man", "The Sound of Music", "Camelot", "South Pacific", "Showboat", "My Fair Lady", "Oklahoma", "Hello Dolly", "Carousel", "The King and I", "Guys and Dolls", "Anything Goes", "Under the Yum-Yum Tree", "Star-Spangled Girl", and "Plaza Suite". Laurel's television work includes a recurring role on "Falcon Crest" and guest starring roles on "Matlock", "L.A. Law", "Quantum Leap", "Love Boat", "Three's Company", "Rockford Files". She is often recognized for her work in TV commercials and for a short time, she represented Campbell's soup. 

January 1st, 1950 in Bexley (Age 74)