 Her sister was Rachel Howells, Miss Arkansas USA 2008 titleholder.In August 2008, Perry represented Arkansas in the Miss Teen USA 2008 pageant held in 
Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas, the first Miss Teen USA pageant held outside the United States.During the first-ever not broadcast Miss Teen USA beauty pageant on August 16, 2008, Perry was crowned Miss Teen USA 2008 by outgoing queen Hilary Cruz.