The finale of Miss Oregon USA 2023 was held on Saturday, 15th October 2022 at the Sherwood Center for the Arts in Sherwood, Oregon where Manju Bangalore, representing Benton County, was crowned the new queen. She will now represent Oregon at Miss USA 2023.
Manju Bangalore is 25 years of age and a physicist, actor, model by profession. Manju bested over 20 other delegates to win the state title in her third attempt. Manju Bangalore is also an aspiring astronaut who has worked at two NASA centers and in the White House. She is currently enrolled in a postgraduate program training her to go to space one day. Manju is also the founder of two nonprofit organizations namely the Operation Period and Painting With Parkinson's, to advocate for causes closest to her heart.
On winning the state title, Manju quoted, "As an Oregonian, this has been a dream of mine for so long and I'm just in shock. It's literally surreal, I mean, this is the pageant that I grew up watching, like admiring all the intelligent, beautiful, strong girls. I'm just in shock.”
Top 5 also included Amulya Chava representing Klamath Falls, Brooklyn Lowery representing Progress Ridge, Kelly Smith representing Multnomah County and Aly Nordie representing West Portland.
Also at the finale, Isabella Ellsworth of Happy Valley was crowned Miss Oregon Teen USA 2023. She will proceed to compete in the Miss Teen USA 2023.
Congratulations!