Miss Kentucky USA 2025 has local ties to South Central Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Miss Kentucky USA competition was recently held across the river in Ohio, and this year’s winner has strong ties to Bowling Green.

Mattie Barker grew up in Bowling Green, attending Briarwood Elementary, Drakes Creek Middle and graduating from Greenwood High School.

She was active in FBLA during high school, and went on to win Miss Kentucky Teen back in 2020.

Now, as Miss Kentucky USA and a substitute teacher, Barker says she’s using her platform to advocate for children’s mental health.

“I recently this year experienced anxiety and I’ve talked about it before. This is something that I’ve never experienced… and I didn’t know what to do when I felt it. I didn’t know what it was… and so I want people to know what it is when you feel it and that it’s okay and you’re not in trouble or feel like you’re going to… it’s okay and take a breath… because a lot of people don’t know what it feels like… and I’m 22 and I’ve never had it, so it was kind of a scary feeling,” Barker says.

She’s also thankful to her hometown for shaping her into who she is today, and looks to represent Kentucky well in the Miss USA pageant.

“I think Bowling Green has a super unique community, and that’s what I appreciate about being from Bowling Green… and so I just love all the people who have reached out, and it’s made me feel really warm and excited to represent Kentucky,” Barker says.

News 40 will keep you updated on Mattie’s journey to the Miss USA competition later this year.