Student becomes first woman with Down syndrome to compete in Miss Minnesota USA Pageant

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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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.