Mikayla Holmgren made history on Sunday when she became the first woman with Down syndrome to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA Pageant.
The 22-year-old Bethel University student took home two major prizes: The Spirit of Miss USA Award and the Director's Award. Holmgren began dancing at age 6, and in 2015 she was named Minnesota Junior Miss Amazing. On Facebook, Holmgren said her goal is to one day teach art to children and be a model. "I want to live independently and continue to be an advocate for inclusion," she added. "I want to be a light shining for acceptance." Catherine Garcia
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