UofL dental student to compete in Miss America in September

In June 2026, UofL School of Dentistry student Reagan Earlywine was crowned Miss Kentucky. The Paris, Kentucky native will represent Kentucky at the Miss America pageant in September. We spoke with Reagan about her journey so far and what happens next. 

School of Dentistry: Congratulations on being crowned Miss Kentucky. What was going through your mind when you realized that you had won?

Reagan Earlywine: It was pure shock. I started competing in the Miss America organization when I was 12 years old, and now I'm 24, and this was the first time I finally won a state title through Miss Kentucky. Finally seeing my work come to fruition was just such a special moment for me.

School of Dentistry: When did you decide to be a dentist and why?

Reagan Earlywine: I had actually wanted to go to medical school for my entire life, but as I got older I realized that that the work-life balance in that field was not for me at all. So I started shadowing a few dentists, and I realized that it really encompassed all the great things that every career has: education, giving back, and creativity. It's really great, and I fall in love with dentistry every single day.

School of Dentistry: Why did you choose UofL for your undergrad and then ultimately for dental school?

Reagan Earlywine: I actually started at the University of Louisville as a Ladybird on the UofL dance team. I loved to dance, and I wasn't quite ready to put an end to it whenever I was 18 years old. So that's initially what led me here, and then I really looked into the School of Dentistry, and we are ranked one of the highest performing schools in the nation. So I really put my roots here in Louisville and I wasn't ready to leave yet. I love it here every single day. 

School of Dentistry: How have your experiences a dental student helped you succeed in pageants?

Reagan Earlywine: I think that my experience with my 2 years at ULSD really taught me time management skills. Dental school is not easy. You go to school from 8 to 5 every single day, and then you come home and study until midnight. And there are some parallels with the job of Miss Kentucky. It's constantly go, go, go. And I think my experience with dental school really has prepared me to take on this role.

School of Dentistry: On the flip side, how has your experience doing pageants helped you succeed in dental school?

Reagan Earlywine: Pageantry is hard sometimes. I got first runner-up last year, and I am a critic. I'm my biggest competitor. When I don't achieve something my very first time around, I tend to beat myself up. But keeping in mind the quote, "A dream deferred is not a dream denied," has really kept me going, not only in pageantry but every aspect of life, because one person's no could be another person's yes. And I think that's something that can be applicable to anyone in any situation.

School of Dentistry: Tell us about the causes and platforms that you're representing as Miss Kentucky.

Reagan Earlywine: My community service initiative is Make Someone Smile, promoting oral health. And my experience with dentistry is actually what inspired me to create this community service initiative. I go around and travel to elementary schools and talk about the importance of healthy oral habits, as well as provide free dental care at the Free Smiles Clinic here in Louisville. It's really great because there's never been a Miss Kentucky with this platform before, so I'm really bringing a fresh perspective to the Miss Kentucky organization.

School of Dentistry: As part of being Miss Kentucky, you're also representing Kentucky agriculture, correct?

Reagan Earlywine: Yes. I will be employed by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and a spokesperson for Kentucky Proud. I was told that I will probably talk to about 40,000 students in my year about locally grown foods, but I plan to put my unique twist on it and integrate oral health with it because they do have a direct correlation. Quite frankly, you need your teeth to eat the foods that the farmers in Kentucky grow, but they're also a great source of fluoride, calcium, they stimulate saliva, so I want to make those connections throughout my year.

School of Dentistry: How have your classmates and others at the School of Dentistry supported you during this time?

Reagan Earlywine: They have been very supportive. Taking a year off, especially between second year and third year, is not common in dental school. Before I even started competing in my preliminary competition for Miss Kentucky, which was Miss Monticello, I asked for permission to take the year off if I was crowned Miss Kentucky. Without their support, none of this would be possible, and I truly am thankful. They understand that I have the rest of my life to be a dentist, but only this one short year to be Miss Kentucky.

School of Dentistry: Did you get into pageantry to earn money to pay for your education, or was it something else?

Reagan Earlywine: I actually started competing in Miss Kentucky because of the talent portion of the competition. I started dancing when I was 3 years old and Miss Kentucky provided an outlet for me to showcase the hard work that I put in throughout those years. But as I really went on in the competition, I realized that it was so much more than just the talent portion. We actually have the “four points of the crown,” which is Service, Scholarship, Success, and Style. Scholarship has grown to be my favorite point of the crown because dental school is a hefty expense. Most of us graduate with over $200,000 in debt, and I think that deters a lot of students from pursuing this occupation. Through Miss Kentucky, I've earned over $30,000 in scholarships, so I'm able to focus more on my education and less on the expenses of it.

School of Dentistry: What are you most looking forward to as you look at September and being in Florida for the Miss America?

Reagan Earlywine: I am looking forward to so much. Growing up, I started watching Miss America when I was 12, and it's dawning on me that I will be on that stage. I really look forward to creating friendships with people from all over. How often is it that we get to interact with people from all 50 states and the 2 territories of the US? 

School of Dentistry: If you could share one message with fellow students, alumni, and anyone else connected with UofL as you head into Miss America, what would it be?

Reagan Earlywine: My message for people in the school and also just anyone reading this is to chase after that wildest dream you have. I think we try to limit ourselves and we put ourselves in a box, but if you put your mind to something, you really can achieve it. People think it might be unthinkable that I'm taking a year off of dental school to do this crazy dream of mine of being Miss Kentucky and competing at Miss America, but if I can do it, I think anyone can do it.