2nd runner-up 2021
A native of North Oaks, Ava Ernst was crowned Miss Minnesota Teen USA on 29 May 2022 and represented Minnesota at the Miss Teen USA 2022 pageant in Reno, Nevada. Ava has been playing the guitar, singing, & songwriting for the past 8 years. She was one of 36 high school juniors to receive the prestigious 2022 ExCEL award for excellence in academics, leadership, and volunteerism.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2022 Ava Ernst is a high school senior from St. Paul. Music runs in her blood, and she has been playing the guitar, singing, & songwriting for the past 8 years. She enjoys performing in varsity show choir and musical theater and will attend college to major in the performing arts.
Ava is a member of S.O.A.R. & Link Crew student leadership groups, Student Council, DECA, “A” Honor Roll, and the National Honor Society. A member of the lacrosse & dance teams, Ava joined the high school swim team as a 7th grader and has earned 3 varsity letters since. Ava was one of 36 high school juniors to receive the prestigious 2022 ExCEL award from the MN State High School League for excellence in academics, leadership, and volunteerism.
Community service plays an important role in Ava’s life. A 3rd-year Student Advisory Board member for PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, Ava presents her program “Ava’s Army Buddy Bandanas” to local elementary schools where she gives children a specially designed bandana to tie onto their backpacks as a visual reminder to always be kind. In addition, Ava was 1st runner-up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Student of the Year” program, raising $85,772 in 7 weeks for blood cancer research. She also enjoys working with various animal rescue groups promoting pet adoption.
A self-professed Star Wars geek and “expert” turkey caller, Ava loves to travel (32 countries from Albania to Zimbabwe) and downhill ski in her spare time.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Ava’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
Ava placed second runner-up to Annika Wiese at Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2021 – wearing one of my favourite Teen pageant gowns ever.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Ava’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Mikhala Rivers as Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2023.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Ava’s “after the crown” photos.
