The Miss Wyoming competition occurred in June, but contestants are still pursuing the crown for following years. Laramie resident Ashley Cowser, serving as the 2022 Miss Laramie, began her pageant career in her original home of Erie County, Pennsylvania.

“I did a lot of agriculture related competitions growing up in Pennsylvania. I did fair queen contests and that led me into the Miss Agriculture USA competition, and I competed in that. I was the 2020 Pennsylvania Miss Agriculture USA, and that kind of showed me that I had the public speaking potential and I wanted to even further it after that.”

These competitions became an inspiration for Ashley to set her eyes on the ultimate crown: Miss America.

“I I have watched the Miss America competition growing up and had seen it on tv and started seeing contestants on social media. I contacted their director and got involved that way.”

This was Cowser’s second time competing in Miss Wyoming, and she described her experience as a positive one. The number of contestants is fewer in Wyoming compared to other states, which allows for a closer, more personalized experience.

“I know states like Alabama and Texas have preliminary nights because there’s so many girls competing, but there was only three of us, so we really had the chance to bond,” said Cowser. “We actually met all together for lunch before the competition and created a friendship. We’re only competing against ourselves, really, rather than against each other, so it was a great way to form friendships and networking opportunities.”

Cowser also made note of how the Miss American organization has changed drastically through the years, moving from a beauty pageant with a swimsuit competition to a scholarship-driven contest for educated women. She has high hopes for the future of the competition and will continue competing, stating, “I would say it’s more than just the moment of winning, it’s the chance to kind of use your crown as a microphone to promote what you’re passionate about. A lot of people think that the Miss American or Miss Wyoming organization candidates just get dressed up and take pictures, and just wave their hands in a parade and it ends like that. Really, it’s a scholarship competition. We use our year toward service and I’m planning on competing again just to promote things that I’m passionate about.”