Miss Minnesota USA Welcomes First Contestant With Down Syndrome

Mikayla Holmgren has just made history by becoming the first woman with Down syndrome to compete in a Miss USA State pageant.

Holmgren, who hails from Stillwater, Minnesota, is one of the 51 contestants representing her city in the Miss Minnesota USA beauty pageant held on Nov. 25. Although the 22-year-old did not end up being crowned as the winner, she did achieve a major milestone.

An Inspiration To Others

Holmgren was not only honored with the Spirit of Miss Minnesota award but also the Director's Award.

"You make people smile every time you talk, cheer, smile, and dance," executive state director Denise Wallace Heitkamp said as she presented her with the Spirit Award. "You exude the spirit of Miss USA by always being true to yourself and putting others first."

The audience also gave her a standing ovation as she accepted her award. Her story serves as an inspiration to thousands of other women with the condition to never let it hold them back from achieving their dreams.

Moreover, there were several mothers who brought their daughters to cheer for Holmgren as she was crowned the tiara as an honor.

"I was overwhelmed - I was full of so much hope and joy and excitement for her and our future," said Lana Beaton, a mother who took her two-year-old daughter Clara with Down syndrome to the pageant.

Not Her First Rodeo

However, this isn't the first time Holmgren has competed in a beauty pageant. In 2015, she participated in the Minnesota Miss Amazing pageant, which is essentially a beauty pageant for women with special needs. Holmgren, who is currently a student in Bethel University's Inclusive Learning and Development program, was crowned the winner of the competition.

In April, she was notified via mail about the Miss Minnesota USA pageant and decided that she wanted to enroll herself as a candidate.

Miss Minnesota USA Breaking Barriers

The Miss Minnesota USA beauty pageant has been in the news before and for all the right reasons. The beauty pageant also made history last year when a Muslim contestant, Halima Aden, became the first woman to compete in a beauty pageant while wearing a hijab throughout.

Aden donned a burkini in the swimsuit round of the competition and made it all the way to the pageant's semi-final round. She now reached supermodel status and has since signed with IMG Models. She modeled for American Eagle and walked the ramp for Kanye West's Yeezy Season 5 at the New York Fashion Week.