If there’s one thing that people with Down Syndrome have proven over the years, it’s that they’re just as capable of doing the same things everybody else does. Just ask Jamie Brewer, an actress who has appeared on “American Horror Story” and on “Glee.” Then there’s Madeline Stuart, the Australian model who appeared in New York Fashion week twice. So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that a young woman with Down Syndrome has become the first person with this disability to become a contestant in the Miss USA state pageant, and she’s such a standout too!Mikayla is a very beautiful young woman. Fortunately, she had someone getting her hair all ready to go, so she looked her best and was ready to compete. You can easily see star quality in those eyes!
She’s practiced ballet in her off time, which helped her to tackle other challenges like becoming a dancer and a gymnast. Competing has been incredible for her, claims her parents Sandi and Craig Holmgren, who are really proud of her.
She claims that they’re really fun, and the more pageants she does, the prouder she is of herself because this is her dream. In fact, she competed in the Miss Minnesota Junior Miss Amazing in 2015, and took home a crown.
She claims that you only need to really spend five minutes with her to know that she’s the perfect candidate to represent her community. Having other people with Down syndrome see Mikayla following her dreams will serve as an inspiration.
“She goes after what she wants,” says Sandi. So, when Mikayla sets her mind on something, they’re behind her all the way, which undoubtedly gives her that boost of confidence she needs to get ahead.
So, even when she competes in a pageant, and doesn’t actually get the crown, she comes home feeling like a real winner. Then again, it’s not much of a shock given how resilient and confidence this young woman is.
Naturally, the directors and judges of the pageant wanted to recognize her many accomplishments by giving her the Spirit of Miss USA award and the Director’s Award, which recognized any young woman who can stand out above the rest.
She actually shrieked with happiness when she accepted the awards. But of course, she was humbled by competition’s executive director Heitkamp’s words which reminded the audience that Mikayla is selfless, humbled, and has excitement in her heart and a smile on her face.
Getting to share the stage with Miss Minnesota USA 2018 Kalie Wright, and runner-up, Melisa Paahk has given her the boost of confidence she needed to keep on going, and we can’t wait to see what she’s going to come up with next, but our curiosity is peeked.
