Miss Oregon USA 2023 is Manju Bangalore of Benton County
Miss Benton County, Manju Bangalore, was crowned Miss Oregon USA 2023 on Saturday, October 15 at the Sherwood Center for the Arts in Sherwood, Oregon. The 25-year-old physicist, actor, model, and founder of two nonprofits edged out over 20 other competitors to win the state title in her third attempt. She succeeds last year's winner Arielle Freytag and will now prepare to represent Oregon at Miss USA 2023. "As an Oregonian, this has been a dream of mine for so long and I'm just in shock," she excitedly told her predecessor in a video clip shortly after winning her title. "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," she added. Rounding out the Top 5 finalists were Miss Klamath Falls, Amulya Chava; Miss Progress Ridge, Brooklyn Lowery; Miss Multnomah County, Kelly Smith; and Miss West Portland, Aly Nordie. The new Miss Oregon USA is also an