Ashley is the second Afro-Puerto Rican to win the title. Born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico to parents José Cariño and Olga Barreto, Ashley moved with her family to Kissimmee, Florida when she was five years old. Cariño attended the Professional and Technical High School in Kissimmee where she received certification to work as a psychosocial rehabilitator, specializing in working with children with cognitive diversity. Ashley was inspired to do so after overcoming ADHD in her childhood. She has been working with children and adolescents with mental health diagnoses or who are cognitively diverse to harness their curiosity and creativity through STEM initiatives. Ashley was a sight to behold at the preliminary competition.