Isabella Ellsworth crowned Miss Oregon Teen USA 2023

Isabella Ellsworth was crowned Miss Oregon Teen USA 2023 on October 15, 2022 at Sherwood Center for the Arts. She beat six other candidates to succeed the last year’s titleholder Alaina McClanen-Clemons and to win the opportunity to represent the Beaver State at the next edition of Miss Teen USA pageant, whose date and venue are not announced.

“Everyone has heard of the Teen USA and the Miss USA pageants; it’s the Super Bowl of pageants,” Isabella said after her winning, adding, “I want to walk that stage, soaking in the moment.“

As the state winner, the 17-year-old senior at Adrienne C. Nelson High School in Happy Valley earned two special awards: a $300 academic scholarship from Pageants NW for having nearly a 4.0 GPA and the $400 Girl Boss Award, which is sponsored by NanaMacs clothing company. The Girl Boss Award is given to a delegate who is fearlessly going after her dreams. She also won a $2,000 scholarship from the Charles W. Herbster Foundation, which supports academic development and assisting students in pursuing a two-year, four-year or graduate degree.

She is a known leader, holding positions as an ASB officer, National Honor Society officer and is President of the Scrub Club. A lifelong athlete, she is­­­ a proud member of the Varsity Softball Team.

During the competition, she promotes Izzy’s Gear for Girls. She collects all types of sports equipment, and gives that to young girls who otherwise would not be able to afford it. “Sports are expensive and money should not be an issue” for girls to be able to be part of a sports team, she said, adding that she now hopes to expand her initiative statewide.

Passionate about giving back to the community, Isabella has logged hundreds of hours over the years. As a future Pediatric Nurse, she will fulfill her dream. As a senior, Isabella is already on the road to making her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse come true, as she is currently enrolled in the Health Services Program at Owen Sabin-Ben Schellenberg Professional Technical Center. When she was in third grade, she had to spend some time in the hospital, and the way that the pediatric nurses took care of her changed her outlook. “I want to treat kids, how they treated me,” Isabella said.

In her pre-pageant interview, she also said that she is proud of her generation because of its diversity and duty to the planet. “It is not only about recycling, it is about how we treat one another. My generation doesn’t care about skin color — we are accepting of one another,” the newly crowned Miss Oregon Teen USA said.

Last spring, Isabella was chosen the first Rose Festival princess from Nelson High School, which opened in 2021. “In my school, traditions are just being named. This was so special; I hope it inspires other girls and starts a new tradition,” she said. She explained the experience definitely helped her develop the poise, speaking skills and confidence that she needed to compete in the Miss Teen USA Pageant.

“Our travels and going out into the community talking to strangers was rewarding, but it also pushed me out of my comfort zone and I gained new experiences,” Isabella said.

Isabella is so busy, because in addition to her school activities, she is also a member of PDX Concierge, a student-run, free grocery delivery service focused on helping the elderly, immunocompromised and disabled.