As the school year wrapped up, Arnett Elementary received a very special visit from Miss Kentucky 2025, Ariana Rodriguez.

As Miss Kentucky 2025, she travels the state representing the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) as a spokesperson for their Kentucky Proud initiative and makes 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.

“Ms. Rodriguez came and spoke to our school about what it was like growing up in the foster care system and how she used her goals to get to where she was today,” said Ms. Monica Crockett Arnett’s principal. “She also talked about agriculture and how important it is for our bodies to eat many foods from the rainbow.”

Ms. Rodriguez’s service initiative, The Lucky Ones, brings hope, dignity, and empowerment to youth in foster care. It 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.

“She taught each of us how to find our superpower by thinking of things we love and things that we have a talent for. She even showcased her talent and sang for us.  We enjoyed welcoming Miss Kentucky to our school,” Ms. Crockett said.

Ms. Rodriguez was crowned Miss Kentucky last June, earning a scholarship to support her study of social work and psychology at the University of Kentucky.