Westborough police officer Ashlyn Mercier made history Sunday night as the first law enforcement officer from Massachusetts to compete for the Miss America title, but the crown went to Miss Texas Regan Hutsell.
Hutsell was named Miss America 2027 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, becoming the 99th woman to win the title.
Mercier, 25, competed among 52 delegates from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. She was not among the Top 11 finalists.
Mercier was crowned Miss Massachusetts earlier this year after competing against 22 other women from across the Commonwealth. She previously held the title of Miss Bay State 2026.
An active-duty officer in Westborough, she holds an undergraduate degree in National Security from the University of New Haven and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University. She performed a contemporary lyric dance for the talent portion of the state competition.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be Miss Massachusetts,” Mercier said after winning the state title. “I cannot thank the judges enough for trusting me to step into this role. I have been involved with the Miss America opportunity for six years and it has truly shaped me into the woman I am. I am thrilled to represent my home state on the Miss America stage.”
Her Community Service Initiative is titled “Nick’s Courage: One Smile Goes a Mile,” created in honor of her younger brother, a two-time pediatric cancer survivor. She has also worked with the American Heart Association on the Go Red for Women initiative.
Mercier won a $10,000 scholarship and a prize package as Miss Massachusetts.
Hutsell, who also earned preliminary awards in fitness and talent, received a $50,000 scholarship with the national title.
