ORLANDO, Fla. — University of Central Florida student Ashley Cariño placed fifth overall at the 71st Miss Universe pageant this weekend.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Cariño competed in multiple rounds at the pageant Saturday, making it to the top five finalist spot. Miss USA, Miss Venezuela, Miss Dominican Republic, and Miss Curacao joined her as finalists, according to the Associated Press.
Read: Miss Universe pageant: Miss USA, R’Bonney Gabriel, crowned
Cariño won the Miss Florida title in July 2021, her first pageant competition. She also placed third in the Miss USA competition in Nov. 2021.
Last year, Cariño won the Miss Puerto Rico title and represented her heritage in Miss Universe. According to the university, Cariño was born in Puerto Rico but moved to Kissimmee when she was young.
Read: Miss Florida 2021 delivers educational materials to AdventHealth pediatric patients
UCF said Cariño is also an aerospace engineering major. She said she hopes to finish her degree even with her duties as a Miss Florida.
Cariño told UCF that she was always interested in science and astronomy.
Watch this UCF video below:
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2022 Cox Media Group
