Ashley Berry was made for the stage. As a passionate young woman with many talents and interests, she knew from a young age that she was meant to be a part of something bigger than herself. From competing in pageants at a young age to being a passionate dancer, and a blossoming journalist, Ashley has brought her multifaceted abilities to the Miss America organization. Her shining personality and stunning beauty create the perfect triple threat of being intelligent, talented, and glamorous.
Learn about her platform of media literacy, and why it holds a special place in her heart as she travels to communities to spread her message. Her love of learning glows from within as a college student at the University of Alabama. Fall in love with her story and what she stands for, including her love of family, pets, and being Miss Missouri! There is one thing for certain–Ashley Berry is much more than what meets the eye.
Growing up in Clinton, Missouri, Ashley speaks fondly of her hometown and the support they have shown her growing up. “I grew up in Clinton schools from preschool to high school.” She highlights her early childhood as she began to love dancing, specifically, ballet. “I showed early signs of loving dance. I’ve been dancing since I was four years old, mostly ballet. My mom thought that I looked cute in a tutu, and it just grew from there!” It’s evident that dancing is a huge passion of hers, as she excitedly explains how growing up dancing at competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix significantly made an impact on her childhood. “I wanted to be a professional dancer growing up.”
Another significant aspect of Ashley’s life is her family, who she holds extremely close to her heart as she recounts their love and support. “They’re the most important people in my life to me, and they’ve always been supportive of my journey.” When she traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in the Miss America competition as Miss Missouri, her family made the trip to show their 
support. Her family is so supportive that they even made matching t-shirts to make their excitement and love for Ashley as evident as possible. With two brothers, as well as her mother and father, Ashley has a dream team and a support system for which she is grateful. “I’m the baby of the family; they love to come and watch to root for me.” One of Ashley’s favorite memories of competing includes a video showing her family’s reaction to her being announced
as Miss Missouri. “There’s been this video that was taken when I won Miss Missouri, and they’re just all screaming in the audience. It’s been my keepsake to have from the competition.” The joy in her voice as she describes this moment makes it evident that she cherishes her family and the support they have shown her along the way.
Ashley showed interest in competing in pageants when she was young, shocking her family by wanting to step into the spotlight. “I was involved in the Miss Missouri Princess Program, now called the Show-Me Stars Program. I did that at nine years old and even before that, I was involved in Little Miss pageants from a young age. so I was exposed to the organization really early on.” Her family was shocked that as a 
tiny girl, she had a dream. After competing for a few years, Ashley began to work with mentor and role model, Riley Bradley. Riley also competed in pageants and danced at the same studio as Ashley in Clinton. Riley inspired Ashley, who envisioned stepping into her shoes in the future. “I really looked up to her and I just kind of knew that it was the next step for me.” At 12 and a half years old, Ashley competed in her first local teen pageant and won Miss Zona Rosa’s Outstanding Teen. After her first teen win, Ashley catapulted in her career, proceeding to compete for Miss Missouri Teen for the next four years. “I competed for Miss Missouri Teen for four years until I got to live out that dream in 2021, and it all took off from there.”
After years of participating in pageants, Ashley is no stranger to having a competitive spirit that continues her drive to excel in the pageant world. However, one d
efining moment that has stuck with Ashley has nothing to do with winning, but with the importance of sisterhood. “I remember I was holding hands with her [Tabitha Crain], and she whispered in my ear that I was going to be a great Miss Missouri. It was just the sweetest moment.” While pageants celebrate individuality, the unity that bonds every contestant runs deeper than the gratification winning could give. “One of the greatest blessings that I’ve taken from the Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization is the sisterhood element because I’ve never had a sister.” The joy of celebrating young women for their talents and individual personalities truly shines through in this organization, something that Ashley does not take for granted. “I definitely have some future bridesmaids from the Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization.”
A major factor of competing in pageants is finding a deeper meaning in making the world a better place. Each contestant has the opportunity to showcase a cause they are passionate about, and for Ashley Berry, there was no question what she would choose. “I think that journalism ethics is one of the most important things.” Ashley’s chosen platform for an issue she is passionate about is Media Literacy, with her community program called Media Smart. “I visit as many schools as possible. I’ve spoken to hundreds of students about the importance of media literacy.” She shares stories about traveling to many communities and schools all around the state of Missouri, bringing professional journalists with her to teach children about the importance of being Media Smart. “One of my favorite things I’ve done is called The Newsroom, which is a classroom series where I invite a real journalist to come with me to classrooms to talk about media literacy in their profession and why it’s so important.” Her passion for journalism 
expands to all corners of Ashley’s life. Her goals within the field have provided her with the rewarding experience of traveling and practicing her professional skills, honing in on the value of chasing her dreams, and pushing herself to be the best version of who she is. “I’m passionate about journalism, of course. I’ve always been passionate about politics and important issues that are affecting my generation.” With a minor in political science, Ashley plans on taking her passions into her career, and aspires to become a political reporter. As a junior majoring in communications at the University of Alabama, Ashley utilizes being a student herself to propel her platform for the good of her community.
Ashley Berry has accomplished a lifetime’s worth of accolades within the Miss Missouri organization, but it hasn’t come without her own struggles as a young woman. When asked about her wish for the future of young little girls who choose to compete, she highlights her journey with confidence and the value of being uniquely yourself in a world full of comparison. “I just hope that they know their worth because that’s something that I’ve struggled with in the past. I read a quote that said, ‘You owe it to yourself to become everything you’ve ever dreamed of being.’ I hope the future competing little girls know that they deserve to take up space in any room. They should also leave space for others, and that their voice is important.”
Her growth through the Miss Missouri organization has provided Ashley with the ability to be confident in any situation. She highlights her journey as momentous, providing her with opportunities she would have never experienced until much later in life. “It has taught me so many important life lessons as well. It’s so much more than a competition; it’s given me life-changing scholarships. I think most of all, it’s given me the confidence-building skills that I needed to be able to make a difference in my life and make a difference in the world around me. I can do anything because the Miss Missouri Organization has pushed me and tested me in so many ways.”
As she closes out her last few months as Miss Missouri, Ashley has taken time to reflect on her journey with the Miss Missouri organization. From being a little girl competing in local pageants to standing on the big stage in Orlando, Florida competing with her peers for the title of Miss America, Ashley has come away with the experience of a lifetime. These experiences will provide skills that she will use for the rest of her life. “It takes a lot of courage to walk out on a stage to answer a question, to perform a talent, to interview in front of a panel of judges. To say that I’ve done that successfully on many occasions has given me confidence that I need to go out in my life and fight for every dream that that I’ve ever wanted.”
When asked what advice she would give to anyone considering competing in pageants, Ashley 
gives a heartfelt answer about what it means to be confident as a young woman in the pageant world. “I would just say be unapologetically yourself. I know that’s a cliche because everyone tells you to be yourself, but I think that’s so important because you have this panel of judges, and there’s no specific mold that you have to fit because every Miss Missouri has been uniquely themself.”
On top of being a talented young woman who loves to dance and is passionate about journalism, Ashley is also the owner of two adorable cats. “I am the mom to two little tabby cats. I’m obsessed. I love them so much.” Her love of cats is evident through the joy in her voice as she details their personalities and how they bring her happiness every day.
Ashley Berry’s journey as Miss Missouri is a testament to her dedication, passion, and multifaceted talents. From her early days as a dancer to her advocacy for media literacy, Ashley has used her platform to inspire and educate others. Her genuine love for 
her family, and her cats, and her aspirations as a future political journalist highlight her as a well-rounded and driven individual. She looks forward to her senior year at the University of Alabama and pursuing her dream of becoming a political journalist. As she prepares to complete her reign and her final year of college, Ashley embodies. the qualities of grace, determination, and purpose that will undoubtedly lead her to continued success. The legacy she leaves behind as Miss Missouri serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those who follow in her footsteps.