Announcing the Miss Minnesota for America Strong Pageant!
Visit Miss Minnesota for America
Miss Minnesota
for America Strong
Mrs. Minnesota America 2026
Maren Martin
I am honored to serve as Mrs. Minnesota America 2026 and excited to represent the state of Minnesota on the national stage.
I live in Baxter, Minnesota, with my husband, Joel and our two dogs Teddy, a Labrador Retriever and Mickey, a Bernese Mountain Dog. I am a passionate advocate caregiver and for those with Parkinson’s Disease as these causes have deeply impacted my life and family.
Professionally, I am an Event Planner at a luxury Minnesota resort. I also contribute as a reporter for central Minnesota high school and college sports. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications with concentrations in Advertising and Public Relations and minors in Sports Communication and Media Analysis from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed bringing people together through events, experiences, storytelling, and community engagement.
Outside of work, I love cheering on the Minnesota Timberwolves with my husband, performing in musical theatre and stage productions, and traveling world in search of new adventures. I am also actively involved in my community’s Young Professional organization and chamber of commerce.
Over the last 15 years I have walked along side my mother Bev, as she has navigated life with Parkinson’s disease. That journey has shaped who I am and inspired my initiative, Unshakeable Care: Strong Caregivers, Silent Heroes. Through this cause, I am committed to supporting, uplifting, and advocating for caregivers while raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease. I am proud to work alongside organizations such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and the American Parkinson Disease Association to help expand resources, education, and support for caregivers and families affected by the disease.
Returning to pageantry as a married woman has been a meaningful full-circle moment for me, as pageantry was an rewarding part of my life as a teen and young adult. Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to use this title as advocate for caregivers, and to inspire others to pursue their passions regardless of where they are in life. Mrs. America Presents highlights married women and our best, and I deeply honored to be a part of the storied legacy of leadership, exemplary service and personal achievement that our pageant represents.
Mrs. Minnesota American 2026
Alissa Staloch
As Mrs. Minnesota American 2026, I’m honored to represent the incredible women, families, and communities of Minnesota. My journey is rooted in faith, family, leadership, and a mission that is deeply personal to my heart.
After witnessing the impact of traumatic brain injuries on those I love, I’ve dedicated my platform to brain injury prevention, mental health awareness, and helping families find hope and healing. Through advocacy, education, and compassion, I believe we can create stronger support systems and as a Board Member for the TBI Ranch and Advocate for the Minnesota Brain Alliance I am a resource for both virtual and in person support groups.
As an Executive Coach, I root my practice, Midwest Momentum Coaching, in leadership development and personal growth. I am here to do the same. Here’s to leading with purpose, resilience, and heart. 
Miss Minnesota for America Strong 2026
Kailez Campbell
I am honored and humbled to serve as Miss Minnesota for America Strong and to represent our great state on the national stage.
I am from the White Earth Reservation, grew up in Blaine, Minnesota and now live in Minneapolis with my cat, Sisyphus! I am currently finishing my final semester at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where I will graduate with Latin honors with a B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in Ensemble Music. I am also graduating from the University’s Community Engagement Scholars Program, which has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience.
My journey into public service began the summer I graduated high school. I never worked in politics before, but I was pulled into volunteering for a local campaign where I helped elect the first woman of color to my hometown’s city council. That experience changed the entire trajectory of my life and I am so grateful it did because I cannot imagine doing anything else.
I will never forget the day my candidate was sworn into office because it felt like I was witnessing that possibility for myself too. As a young woman of color, it was the first time I truly saw a future for myself that I never pictured before.
Since then, my work has taken me from local to presidential campaigns and into state government through the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. I currently serve as Executive Vice Chair for the National Environmental Caucus of the Young Democrats of America, where I help organize young leaders across the country around environmental justice and climate policy.
One of the proudest moments of my organizing career was helping pass instrumental legislation in Minnesota, particularly the Democracy for the People Act, a major elections and democracy omnibus bill that expanded access to our state’s democracy. I helped advocate for legislation allowing 16 and 17 year olds to pre register to vote, so young people can start seeing themselves as voters before they turn 18. I also worked on legislation that restored voting rights to formerly incarcerated Minnesotans. Our democracy is strongest when more people can participate in it.
The late Senator Paul Wellstone once said, “We all do better when we all do better.” It is a quote I hear often on the campaign trail and always reminds me that public service is about the people. As your Miss Minnesota, I want to lead the Wellstone way: by meeting people where they are at and ensuring that every Minnesotan has a voice in influencing the future of our state.
Minnesota has faced moments of incredible grief, fear, division, and tragedy, but time and time again, we have also shown the country what it means to come together. I will use this title to remind people that civic engagement is more than what happens on Election Day because it is what we do in the moments before it. When our neighbors are afraid and hurting, we have a way of finding each other, because we know community is still one of the strongest forms of hope. As I represent Minnesota on the national stage, I want this country to know what it means to be Minnesotan.
Chii Miigwech,
Kailez Campbell
Mrs. Georgia America 2026
Lindsay Shockey
Lindsay Shockey proudly represents Georgia as Mrs. Georgia America 2026. Originally from Miami, Florida, she now resides in Woodstock, Georgia, where she balances her passion for family, community service, and professional excellence.
A licensed and NCIDQ-certified Interior Designer, Lindsay serves as a Hospitality Interior Designer with Sims Patrick Studio. Her impressive career includes being named the 2013 IIDA Best of the Best Award Winner and serving as a past president of the IIDA Georgia Chapter. Her expertise spans multifamily, student housing, workplace, and boutique hospitality design. Lindsay is dedicated to creating spaces that not only tell a story about the area around them, but have a positive impact on the lives of others.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lindsay is deeply committed to community service through her platform, Constructing Confidence. She actively supports organizations including IIDA Georgia, Keep North Fulton Beautiful, Community Bucket, Chattahoochee Riverkeepers, and the Atlanta Police Foundation. Her volunteer efforts range from environmental cleanup initiatives to leadership and advocacy work throughout Georgia.
Lindsay and her husband, Clint Myers, are proud parents to their four-year-old daughter, Cameron, and share their home with their beloved cat, Ginger. She describes herself as observant, bold, and resilient—qualities that have guided her throughout her personal and professional journey.
During her reign, Lindsay hopes to continue partnering with organizations that align with her mission of empowering others through confidence, resilience, and opportunity. Her message to girls everywhere is simple yet powerful: Every setback has the power to become a comeback. Your circumstances do not define your future. Perseverance, determination, and the willingness to keep moving forward are what make you a star. When you design confidence, you don’t just change a life, you transform everything it touches.
Whether serving her community, mentoring others, or representing Georgia on the national stage, Lindsay is committed to making a meaningful impact and leaving a legacy of confidence, service, and inspiration.
Mrs. Georgia American 2026
Deborah Long
Deborah Long proudly represents Georgia as Mrs. Georgia American 2026. Originally from Gainesville, Georgia, she now resides in Buford, Georgia, where she is known for her dedication to family, advocacy, and empowering women through service and leadership.
A Licensed Esthetician, Laser Practitioner, and Small Business Owner, Deborah is the founder of Arabella Esthetics, where she combines her passion for wellness, beauty, and helping others feel confident in their own skin. Through her work, she strives to uplift and encourage women while promoting both inner and outer wellness.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Deborah is deeply committed to community impact through her platform, Empower Her. Inspired by her personal experiences and a desire to help women overcome adversity, she advocates for women’s health awareness, domestic violence prevention, eating disorder recovery, and breast cancer education. Deborah founded Arabella Advocates, and actively supports organizations including the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer, KidsPack, and Brightside Foundation, where she volunteers her time and resources to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. She advocates for women’s health, early detection, education, and pairing survivors with newly diagnosed to help walk them through their journey, but also volunteers with these nonprofits.
Family is at the heart of everything Deborah does. She and her husband, Stephen Long, are proud parents to Shelby, Hannah, Lauren, Madelyn, Dylan and Aubrey, and share their home with their beloved pets, Isabell and Sebastian. Deborah often shares the unique story of meeting her husband while working at Home Depot, where two of their daughters also worked. She describes herself as tenacious, resilient, and giving—qualities that have shaped both her personal journey and her commitment to serving others.
During her reign, Deborah hopes to expand awareness surrounding women’s health issues, encourage early detection and education, and inspire women to transform their pain into purpose. Her message to women and girls is one she lives every day:
“Your voice has power. Your story matters. The challenges you face do not define you—they can become the foundation for your greatest purpose. By sharing your story, you can inspire hope, healing, and change in the lives of others.”
Whether advocating for important causes, serving her community, or representing Georgia on the national stage, Deborah is committed to leaving a legacy of compassion, empowerment, service, and hope.
Miss Georgia for America Strong 2025
Alexandra Marie Radford
Alexandra Radford is an entrepreneur, pregnancy help center advocate and mom of two boys, Tristen and Cash Radford. After facing a high school pregnancy, Alexandra often felt the odds were against her. With less than 2% of women earning a degree after a teen pregnancy, Alexandra beat the odds earning her Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Journalism from the University of Georgia.
Alexandra entered a new category when she launched a marketing agency in 2017 and scaled to 7 figures putting her in a minority group of 2% of female owned businesses to reach 7 figures in revenue. Today, Alexandra fulfills her role as CEO for The Edge Agency with a heart of ministry for her team and clients. The Edge Project is the Agency’s Generosity and Impact arm where they serve non-profits and lend their time and resources to community service events around the city. With a passion for discipleship, her company launched The Woman for the Job Event Series which is a women empowerment experience that shares interactive workshops, tools for personal growth and guest speaker seminars that motivate and inspire.
When she’s not running a business, she serves Pregnancy Help Centers and entrepreneurs by reminding them that it’s okay to be a work in progress and that Jesus knows exactly what to do with their lives so that His light can shine through the broken cracks in their story. Alexandra is passionate about helping women step into their God given identity and becoming aligned with who God created them to be. God turned her pain into purpose and her calling into a career by inviting her into a personal relationship with Jesus. Today, Alexandra continually strives to let her faith be louder than her fear and that’s the legacy she hopes to impart for her family, business and community.
GALLERY
