Josie Carstensen

Miss Marion-Polk 2025

Actor and activist, Josie Carstensen is a recent Honors graduate of Oregon State University with a B.S. in Political Science. Her acting credits include NCIS: Hawai‘i, Magnum P.I., and Amazon Prime’s I Know What You Did Last Summer. Passionate about amplifying women’s voices in film, her projects often merge art and advocacy by challenging political norms and addressing human rights issues.

Currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology, Josie also draws on her experience as a cancer survivor to champion patients navigating the medical system. Through her advocacy with the Miss America Opportunity, she has contributed to the passage of local and national cancer research legislation and founded Oregon’s first Survivor Meet Up in partnership with the Stupid Cancer Organization.

In her free time, Josie enjoys reading, cooking, and supporting her local theatre scene.

Emily Kaelani Redling

Miss Linn-Benton 2025

Emily is a graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Administration. She hopes to pursue a Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration and eventually become a Business Attorney. In addition to many hours of volunteer work, Emily has authored a children’s book, “Jeff the Dog”, a children’s book celebrating uniqueness and promoting individuality, and worked to promote literacy via “Project Developing Minds” by hand-delivering self-crafted book baskets to children's hospitals nationwide.

Emily has collaborated with a number of non-profit organizations as well as advocated during her time with the Miss America Opportunity for homeless youth through her community social initiative, Rise Up for Children: Empowering Homeless Youth.

In her free time, Emily enjoys thrifting and hopes to someday launch her own sustainable apparel business. She also loves traveling, and is self-taught in piano, guitar, and ukulele!