Mikayla Holmgren is making history by becoming the first woman with Down
Syndrome to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant – which is also a first for the Miss USA pageant in any state. We celebrate her life to inspire others to dream big without limits.
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I was born at Tampa General Hospital in 1983; I was raised by my aunt, BJ, in Florida after my parents dropped me off at my grandmother’s house and never came back. School was hard for me. I was teased until I found Best Buddies in middle school. My bond with my middle school buddy helped me because I felt protected from everyone’s teasing and her friendship gave me something to look forward to every day...
"Being positive is the key to my existence and everyone has a struggle that they want to overcome. I do not want my cerebral palsy to define me."
The film shows how Sam Piazza overcame bullying, won Homecoming King at Gaither High School, and is an advocate for people with disabilities.