-
When Ashley Ann Carino Barreto, representing the area as Miss South Kissimmee, was announced as Miss Florida USA 2021 last month, it was the first time that the winner had come from Kissimmee or the Osceola County area. SUBMITTED PHOTO -
Ashley Ann Carino Barreto was crowned Miss Florida in July, the first to come from Kissimmee, and will compete for Miss USA in November in Tulsa, Okla. SUBMITTED PHOTO
The upcoming Miss USA pageant could feature at least one “first” — just like the Miss Florida event already has.
When Ashley Ann Carino Barreto, representing the area as Miss South Kissimmee, was announced as Miss Florida USA 2021 last month, it was the first time that the winner had come from Kissimmee or the Osceola County area.
It was also Carino’s first time ever competing in such a pageant. At age 26 — 28 is the oldest one can compete — the native Puerto Rican decided to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Olga Barreto, who competed in pageants on the island.
“In Puerto Rico, pageantry is a sport. We idolize the winners. So it was always in the back of my mind to do this, but I’d been focused on my academics and work,” Carino said.
On Nov. 29, she will represent Florida at Miss USA 2021 at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Okla. And if she wins, she will be the first Miss Florida USA to represent the U.S. at Miss Universe, which is just a week later in Israel.
“Yes, there’s only one week in between, so I would treat the Miss USA stage just like the Miss Universe stage.”
That is the positivity of a champion talking, not just bravado.
“I’m preparing myself mentally and physically to win,” she said. “Everyone who competes on this level believes they are going
to win.”
Born in Puerto Rico but raised in Kissimmee from age 5, she began modeling work soon after graduating from Professional and Technical High School in 2012, but stressed modeling and pageantry are different.
“As a model, you’re selling a product. In pageantry, you’re selling yourself,” Carino said. “Last year I decided it was the time to make my dream come true. I knew it’d be something I’d enjoy. In these pageants you make friends, learn a lot and gain confidence.”
Ashley also got the joy of competing with her sister, Joyce Barreto, who was named Miss Kissimmee Lakes to qualify for the Miss Florida USA pageant. But during the Miss Florida competition, Ashley said that confidence just wasn’t there at first.
“I was so worried and nervous after the preliminary round, before they chose the top 15 (out of a field of 70), I called my mom as soon as I got off stage telling her I didn’t think it went well,” she said. “She told me the complete opposite.”
“She was prepared. I felt secure,” Olga said. “I had a feeling, and I told people, ‘The crown is coming to Kissimmee.’”
The thought of already accomplishing much in her first pageant helped get her through the next round, when the top seven were chosen, and the finale.
“I didn’t want to leave the stage stressed,” she said. “Then at the end, when I was chosen, I had to take a moment to grasp it. The whole process flashed before me.”
While she’s pursuing an aerospace engineering degree at UCF, her work as a social rehabilitator puts her in contact with people of all ages who have mental health diagnoses that inhibit their lives. She takes treatment plans from doctors and helps implement them.
It’s work that’s near and dear to her, as she overcame childhood ADHD.
“I love math and science and technology, and I incorporate that into my mental health work,” she said. “In the coming years I’d love to create an organization that works with those with mental health diagnoses and helps children find their passion.”
“I had a feeling, and I told people, ‘The crown is coming to Kissimmee.’”
— OLGA BARRETO Mother of Ashley Carino
