2023 Miss Oregon Contestants

 

Aly Nordlie

Aly Nordlie

WEST PORTLAND

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Aly loves to be outdoors and experience all that life has to offer. Aly is an esthetician, realtor, bridal makeup artist, and cat mom. When she’s not working, Aly is passionate about building authentic relationships with those around her, being her friends’ biggest supporter, and making everyone laugh. She has enjoyed partnering with the Best Buddies program for many years and has supported the Autism Speaks nonprofit organization.

Amulya Chava

Amulya Chava

KLAMATH FALLS

Amulya, 20, is an aspiring civil rights attorney currently working as a legal intern at Bet Tzedek Legal Services where she helps low-income families get legal assistance free of cost. Amulya is also a published author of the book Soar in which she advocates for the importance of self-acceptance in our daily lives. In her free time, Amulya enjoys baking with her mother and spending her time outdoors, enjoying the luscious green landscape of Oregon.

Angelica Britton

Angelica Britton

PORTLAND

As Miss Oregon USA Angelica hopes to find a cure for cancer.  During Covid-19, Angelica became the primary caretaker of her Nana who was diagnosed with lung and breast cancer, which was one of the hardest seasons of both of their lives. Angelica has aspirations to go into the beauty industry. She would like to thank her community and NW College School of Beauty for sponsoring her so she can compete at the state level.

Brooklyn Lowery

Brooklyn Lowery

Brooklyn is a model, veterinary care professional, and is finishing her degree in Business to pursue a career in Pharmaceutical Marketing. Her passion is PAGEANTRY! Brooklyn believes that modern pageantry offers women countless opportunities for growth and empowerment and is working to make them more accessible and accepting! Through social media platforms and directing a pageant of her own, she has been able to help hundreds of thousands of women discover the Power of Pageantry!

“Cande” (Maria) Camarena

“Cande” (Maria) Camarena

DEPOE BAY

Cande, 20, is a first-generation college student attending PCC in hopes of transferring to OSU to mayor in business management. She is the oldest of four which has taught her leadership skills and pushed her to be an ambitious high-achiever. Cande continues to grow and learn how important it is for women to feel confident within themselves. She hopes to aspire young women to follow their dream and love themselves for who they are.

Elizabeth Munoz

Elizabeth Munoz

MARION COUNTY

Elizabeth Munoz helped found Gorge Gleaning as part of the 2015 Ford Leadership Institute, aiming to combat food insecurity in five counties. She’s an NLO Alumna through the Center for Women’s Leadership at PSU and currently studies Public Health Ethics, Advocacy and Leadership on a full scholarship at Willamette University. She’ll be applying for an MBA program this fall. She’s also worked in tv/film since 2016, with experience touring nationally as a theater performer.

Emma Orr

Emma Orr

WALLOWA COUNTY

Emma is currently finishing up high school at Joseph Charter School. After getting diagnosed with Dysautonomia in 2019 she has made it her goal to spread awareness throughout the country with #dysautonomiastrong. Emma started an online boutique business at age 16 and currently works part time at a senior living center. Emma’s future ambition is to become an ER nurse and give back to her community.

Grace-Ann Davis

Grace-Ann Davis

BULL MOUNTAIN

Empowered to make a difference, GraceAnn established the #iamenough campaign in Oregon schools to encourage positive body image for everyone. She is deeply invested in her community and hopes to make a difference through non-profit volunteer work and by writing a book to inspire others to find self-worth and confidence. With her sights set on obtaining a Bachelor’s in Marketing, she is currently a licensed Realtor and ready to find your forever home!

Jordan Hardman

Jordan Hardman

EMERALD CITY

An adventurer at heart, Jordan has traveled to 34 states and 12 countries determined to see as much of the world as possible! She is a Blood Collections Specialist at Bloodworks Northwest. Jordan has a BS in Human Nutrition and Food from the University of Wyoming. She loves the Oregon coast, her pup Remi, and learning about mental health. She strives to own a business coaching pageant competitors about holistic nutrition. She is Jordan Hardman!

Kara Bennett

Kara Bennett

BAKER COUNTY

A recent graduate from Eastern Oregon University (BS Molecular Biology), Kara one day hopes to become a General Surgeon. Her love of the health field started as a child when she was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. She is a proud participant of #showmeyourpump and cannot wait to wear her insulin pump across the Miss Oregon stage. Kara also runs, “Stronger Together”, which teaches children about disabilities in an effort to create more inclusive environments.

Katherine Nguyen

Katherine Nguyen

ALOHA

Katherine is an Ivy League graduate student and special education teacher at a charter school for low-income students. During her free time, Katherine loves training for her next marathon, catching sunrises, and baking to share. Her biggest goals include instilling a passion for lifelong learning in students and educating others on impacts of drunk driving. These passions stem from sharing a childhood with a younger brother with autism and losing family to a drunk driver.

Keeli Littleleaf-Kotchik

Keeli Littleleaf-Kotchik

ROGUE VALLEY

Keeli Littleleaf-Kotchik is 27 years old, with a rich cultural background. She is Warmsprings, Wasco and Wyam of the Columbia River territories as well as Pikanii Blackfeet. Keeli is an accomplished champion jingle dress dancer, traveling all over the US and Canada to compete. Her hobbies include a variety of traditional practices, beading, sewing, harvesting, teaching dance and volunteering. She aspires to spread awareness for her platforms and bring healing to those around her.

Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith

MULTNOMAH COUNTY

Kelly, 26, is an award-winning media personality, CEO, and marketing agency partner that coaches women on how to create a successful personal brand on social media. Combining her passions of business media and giving back, Kelly works as a nationwide advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She has been featured in major media outlets including People, US Weekly, E! News, and is a 2020 GLAAD Award co-recipient.

Kuinn Karaffa

Kuinn Karaffa

SEASIDE

With a passion for justice, Kuinn’s future is destined for the courtroom and public service. She is attending Oregon State University and aspires to become a women’s rights attorney and run for mayor. Kuinn has dedicated countless community service hours and has helped raise over one million dollars for non-profits. Kuinn is a YMCA Youth Mentor, Citizen of the Year nominee, Habitat for Humanity board member, Rotarian, loves Chinook salmon, and is a proud farm girl.

Maddux	Hust

Maddux Hust

SALEM

As a stylist and local fashion designer, Maddux empowers women to be their best self through their wardrobe. She has partnered with Coeur d’Alene Fashion Week to help young men and women find and express themselves and has shown 3 seasons of collections. As an entrepreneur herself, she looks forward to spreading her positive messages of mental health and creativity. Maddux is also currently collaborating with local artists to broaden their reach and community.

Manju Bangalore

Manju Bangalore

BENTON COUNTY

Manju is a physicist, actor, model, and founder of two nonprofits. Since dreaming about becoming an astronaut when she was a child, Manju has worked at two NASA centers and in the White House. She is now enrolled in a postgraduate program training her to go to space one day. In addition to her scientific accomplishments, her acting and modeling careers have taken her from working with Beyoncé to shooting with Sports Illustrated. She is most inspired by the work her nonprofits do: operationperiod.org and paintingwithparkinsons.org

Marcellia (Mars) Fragall

Marcellia (Mars) Fragall

HOOD RIVER

Diagnosed with autism at the age of 23, Mars is a powerhouse of creative energy. She paints, hand-beads stone jewelry, and designs disability-friendly clothing that she hopes to take to market with her own fashion label. Mars believes that the arts and special education are severely underfunded in public schools, and because of this, the world’s most interesting artists are force-fed the “starving artist” rhetoric, discouraging them from ever reaching their full potential.

Morgan Williams

Morgan Williams

EUGENE

Morgan is a sophomore at Lane Community College in Eugene. Once she finishes her associates degree, she plans to transfer to the University of Oregon to become a dental hygienist. Morgan worked as a dedicated caregiver for the elderly before working at her current job as a special ed aid for children. She hopes to create a platform that allows her to improve the inclusion laws for these children throughout schools in the U.S.

Rachel Bower

Rachel Bower

GREATER PORTLAND

Rachel Bower is a fearless, Oregonian woman. As a local business owner and community advocate, she considers the pursuit of knowledge to be her driving force. A fierce advocate for the truth, Rachel likes to spend her free time reading and reflecting on ethics, logic and epistemology. She is a well-spoken, adventurous archer with a passion for inclusivity and understanding. A fierce advocate for the underdog, Rachel is ready to represent Oregonians everywhere.

Rachel Sheldon

Rachel Sheldon

COOS RIVER

Rachel is a Cum Laude graduate of Southern Oregon University with Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Biology and Music. Rachel’s love for science began more than 10 years ago when she opened her organic agriculture and ranching business, Tioga Farms. Currently, along with running her business, Rachel works in pediatric medicine in an effort to provide a happier and healthier future for the youth of her community in Coos County.

Raquel Mendoza

Raquel Mendoza

VENETA

Raquel, 26, graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Walla Walla University and has been a emergency room nurse for over two years. She plans on pursuing her Master’s degree in nursing and specializing in both trauma and aesthetics. In her spare time, Raquel enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as traveling, going to the gym, and adventuring in nature.

Sierra Rothacker

Sierra Rothacker

GLIDE

Sierra, 22, is an architectural draftsman for Stevenson Systems inc., she is an active member of the NNEDV and is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. Sierra travels frequently titling herself as a culture enthusiast. Sierra strives to motivate and spread positivity in her daily life, she is in the process of creating nonprofit community gardens nationwide making a healthier lifestyle more accessible to the those in need.

Skylar Pierce-Smith

Skylar Pierce-Smith

ROSE CITY

Skylar is 22 years old with schooling from Portland Community College and the University of Hawaii. She believes that with a strong work ethic, passion, and a relationship with Jesus Christ that opportunities are endless. When Skylar’s not at work, she’s at the gym, volunteering, or she’s adventuring around her beautiful home state. Skylar also has a heart for politics, hoping to continue educating her generation and encouraging young people to become more involved in politics.