Westborough police officer Ashlyn Mercier is proving that one person can successfully pursue more than one dream. After making history this summer as the first active-duty law enforcement officer to be crowned Miss Massachusetts, the 26-year-old is now preparing to compete for the Miss America title on Sunday.

Mercier, who has served with the Westborough Police Department since 2022, will represent Massachusetts at the 99th Miss America competition in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her journey has attracted national attention for blending public service with pageantry while challenging long-standing stereotypes.

Speaking in a recent interview, Mercier said she hopes her story inspires young women to embrace every passion they have instead of feeling pressured to choose just one.

"Women are so multifaceted, and I want young girls to know they can pursue all of their dreams at the same time," she said. "Your career doesn't have to define your entire identity."

The Miss America competition, scheduled for Sunday evening, will feature contestants from across the country competing in interviews, talent presentations and evening wear before a new national titleholder is crowned.

Mercier's path to the national stage reflects years of dedication both in law enforcement and education. She earned a bachelor's degree in National Security from the University of New Haven before beginning her career as a dispatcher in Westborough. She later joined the department as a police officer and completed a master's degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity at Boston University.

Law enforcement has always been a part of her life. She is the daughter of Oxford Police Corporal Kevin Mercier and has often credited watching her father serve the community as the inspiration behind her own decision to wear the badge.

At the same time, she has become a strong advocate for breaking stereotypes surrounding women in policing.

"I don't believe there's one specific image of what a female police officer should look like," Mercier said. "Women in law enforcement don't all have the same goals, the same interests or the same appearance—and that's exactly how it should be."

She also pointed to the fact that women make up only about 14% of police officers in the United States, saying greater representation is important for the future of the profession.

Mercier says the support from her fellow officers has been overwhelming throughout her pageant journey. From fundraising efforts to encouraging messages before the national competition, her department has stood firmly behind her.

Following her Miss Massachusetts victory in June, the Westborough Police Department celebrated her achievement with a lighthearted social media post that read: "Officer by day, Miss Massachusetts by title—and making the rest of us look bad 24/7."

Organizations supporting women in policing have also praised Mercier as an inspiring role model, highlighting her ability to demonstrate that women can be intelligent, compassionate, resilient and successful in multiple fields simultaneously.

Her success did not happen overnight. Before winning the Miss Massachusetts crown this year, Mercier competed in the Miss America Organization for several years, earning the title of Miss Collegiate Area in 2023 and finishing as a runner-up in previous state competitions.

Now, she hopes to make history once again as she takes the national stage, representing not only Massachusetts but also the growing number of women proving that service, leadership and personal ambition can go hand in hand.