Ava Dooley, a 17-year-old from Shrewsbury and recent graduate of Shrewsbury High School, has been named Miss Massachusetts Teen 2025. The announcement came during the 25th anniversary of the state competition, held Sunday, June 22, at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester.
Competing as Miss Freedom Trail’s Teen, Dooley was selected from a field of 17 candidates representing cities and towns across Massachusetts. With the title, she receives a $3,000 scholarship and will go on to represent the Commonwealth at Miss America’s Teen 2025 in Orlando, Florida, this September.
In a public statement following the event, Dooley wrote, “I’m so excited and honored to officially introduce myself as your Miss Massachusetts’ Teen 2025! My name is Ava Dooley, I’m 17 years old from Shrewsbury, MA, and after dancing in this pageant for the past five years, this truly feels like a full-circle moment. Mentoring kids has always been a passion of mine as I’ve been a student teacher at my dance studio for as long as I can remember!”
Her community service initiative, Choreograph Your Future, will guide her year of service. Focused on mentorship, the program aims to help young people build confidence and discover their path forward. In addition to promoting her initiative, Dooley will support the Miss America Opportunity’s national partnership with the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign.
Dooley also used her platform to thank the people who helped make her journey possible. “Huge thank you to everyone who supported me, especially my amazing business managers Lauren and Katrina, whose guidance and belief in me made all the difference. To my family, friends, and the entire pageant community, thank you for lifting me up every step of the way.”
A competitive dancer since the age of two, Dooley performed a contemporary routine to Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partirò” during the talent portion of the competition—a personal selection, as it was the song her parents chose for their wedding. She is a national and regional champion with Elite Academy of Dance, and her dance résumé includes appearances as a Kidz Bop dancer and a Glamour Costume cover model. She has also served as a student teacher at her studio.
This fall, she will attend Louisiana State University, where she plans to major in marketing with a minor in fashion merchandising. She is the daughter of Rocio and David Dooley of Shrewsbury.
In addition to Dooley, several candidates earned scholarships and special recognition. First runner-up Maddie Mathias of Ludlow (Miss Bay State’s Teen) received a $1,000 scholarship. Second runner-up Lillian Annette Rankin of Plympton (Miss Taunton’s Teen) received a $750 scholarship and a $100 award for fundraising. Noelle Kennedy O’Hanlon of North Attleboro (Miss Boston’s Teen) was named third runner-up, earning a $500 scholarship as well as the Millie Perry Community Service Award, which came with an additional $100. Olivia Rae Bellas of Taunton (Miss Worcester County’s Teen) was fourth runner-up, receiving a $250 scholarship and the Online People’s Choice Award, totaling $863.
Other awards were presented to Madison Cabucio (Non-Finalist Interview), Addison Kohler (Non-Finalist Evening Gown), and Serena DaRosa (Non-Finalist Health & Fitness). The Spirit of Miss Massachusetts’ Teen award, voted on by fellow contestants, went to Kercheena Pamphile of Dartmouth.
Collectively, this year’s contestants raised $10,000 for the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Foundation and the American Heart Association.
Reflecting on the journey ahead, Dooley shared, “I can’t wait to represent Massachusetts with heart, purpose, and pride. Let’s make it an unforgettable year!
Subscribe to The Shrewsbury Post Updates
