Ariana Rodriguez, 20 years old, of Bardstown, was crowned Miss Kentucky 2025 on June 14, 2025 at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Winning the title of Miss Kentucky earned her a $20,000 scholarship awarded by the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Foundation. Ariana is currently a student majoring in Social Work and Psychology at the University of Kentucky.
As Miss Kentucky 2025, Ariana will travel the state representing the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) as a spokesperson for their Kentucky Proud initiative. In addition, she will make KDA appearances to promote farm safety, on behalf of KDA's Mobile Science Activity Centers, and Raising Hope - promoting the mental and physical well-being of Kentucky's farmers and their families.
Ariana's Service Initiative, The Lucky Ones, brings hope, dignity, and empowerment to youth in foster care. The Lucky Ones is a deeply personal mission rooted in her own experience as a foster child and the belief that every young person—regardless of their circumstances—deserves dignity, joy, and opportunity. Inspired by her journey and driven by a commitment to advocacy, Ariana has created a multi-faceted program that supports children in foster care and empowers youth through practical education and personal connection.
Ariana will represent the Commonwealth at the Miss America Competition in Orlando in September 2025.
More about The Lucky Ones Foundation
This mission is personal. Ariana knows what it feels like to navigate uncertainty, to long for stability, and to dream of a future that feels just out of reach. Experiencing homelessness in high school only strengthened her resolve to create a future where no young person feels alone in their struggles. She understands the challenges they face, and is committed to providing the resources and support they deserve. She has taken action by collaborating with social workers, foster parents, advocates, legislators, and other foster alumni. She has been given the opportunity to converse with lawmakers, sharing her story and amplifying the struggles of children in the foster care system. Change begins with awareness, but it is fueled by action. The Lucky Ones is about more than advocacy—it's about making a direct impact in the lives of others. Our initiatives include The Lucky Ones Podcast, a platform dedicated to amplifying lived experiences and educating communities; The Lucky Ones Suitcase Project, an initiative ensuring children in foster care are not given trash bags; The Lucky Ones Life Skills Series, an online series designed to empower young adults with financial literacy, goal setting, and career readiness skills;
The Lucky Ones Christmas Toy Drive, a fundraiser bringing joy to children during the holiday season; Graduation Gifts, an initiative providing a stepping stone into independence for graduating foster youth; Birthday Bags, a project that ensures every child gets to experience the magic of their special day; and an annual Easter Egg Hunt to bring joy and normalcy to children in foster care.
