Ashley Cariño dreams of becoming the first Miss Universe to ever go to space. She is completing a degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida with hopes of specializing in the field of rocket propulsion. Her ultimate goal is to work for NASA, which has been a childhood dream of hers.

As the eldest of five siblings, three of whom are girls, Ashley knows the impact that role models have on today's younger generation. For this reason, she has spent the last five years working with children and adolescents with mental health diagnoses or who are cognitively diverse to harness their curiosity and creativity through STEM initiatives.

Cariño is also a baseball fan and big “Trekie,” or fan of the TV show “Star Trek.” With her serenity and mysticism, she challenges what strength and power can look like.