Mikayla Holmgren, 22, is the first person with Down syndrome to compete for the title of Miss Minnesota and Miss USA.
Read the full version of Mikayla Holmgren, Woman With Down Syndrome, to Compete for Miss Minnesota.
Transcription:
This 22-Year-Old With Down Syndrome Wants to Be the Next Miss USA.
Mikayla Holmgren is a dancer and student at Bethel University.
Holmgren has educated Minnesota’s House and Senate about Down Syndrome.
Now she’s competing to be the next Miss Minnesota!
“I applied to the Miss Minnesota USA Pageant not knowing if I would be accepted. And, that is all I want…to be accepted,” -Holmgren
Holmgren set up a GoFundMe to help her raise the $4,000 she needs for the competition.
Holmgreen will be the first person with Down syndrome to compete for the title of Miss Minnesota and Miss USA. (Source: KARE)
The Miss Minnesota competition, the prequel to Miss USA, isn’t Holmgren’s first pageant.
In 2015, Holmgren won Minnesota’s Junior Miss Amazing pageant.
“I want to do this. My mom is so freaked out but I want to do this.” Holmgreen, via KARE
Holmgren is currently preparing for the November competition, which features three segments – evening wear, swimsuit, and an interview.
“I want the world to know that Down syndrome does not define me. With your help, I can help break through walls.”