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Girl with Down syndrome competes in Miss USA pageant. She doesn't return empty handed
The special contestant with down syndrome wins the heart of many and inspires countless others by becoming the epitome of the competition's standards.
22-year-old Mikayla Holmgren from Stillwater, Minnesota becomes the first-ever person with down syndrome to compete in Miss USA state pageant, where she even wins the Spirit of Miss USA award and the Director's Award.
According to Shareably, Holmgren made all the way to the finals and the reason behind her success was her personality that shone 'brighter than the winner's crown.'
She is not just the first woman with down syndrome in the competition, she is the first-ever woman with a disability to have graced the event.
“She just has a really positive outlook on things and, you know, she never really has a bad day,” the source quoted Holmgren's father as stating. Holmgren was seen 'smiling, dancing, and simply enjoying life' throughout the entire competition.
The executive co-director of Miss Minnesota USA, Denise Wallace, also revealed that Holmgren was an 'incredible and accomplished' young woman, who is the epitome of what the Miss Universe organization seeks for in a contestant.
The young star has also not allowed her success to become her pride. Throughout the competition, she has always been humble and grateful for all the support and love that she has been receiving.
Holmgren also revealed during an interview that she was "super shocked" and she even broke down in tears when she realized her success.
“I went from a special needs pageant to the biggest pageant in the world. It’s kind of crazy," she further revealed, according to the online source.
Holmgren recognizes her achievement as a success not just for her but an accomplishment for all the women with disabilities. She has given an inspiration and something to look up to for the future participants who might have disabilities.
She further disclosed that she was proud that she was going to "blaze the trail" for many other women with disabilities.