Mikayla Holmgren is a remarkable woman. After winning Minnesota Junior Miss Amazing 2015 and going on to compete in the national Junior Miss Amazing pageant, she has a new goal—Miss Minnesota USA. “We’re still looking at dresses,” says Holmgren, a native of Marine on St. Croix. “I have a personal trainer, I have a coach for my pageant.” Holmgren will be the first person with Down syndrome to compete in Miss Minnesota USA, which takes place November 25 and 26; the final event will be broadcast on NBC. “I’m really excited,” Holmgren says.
Her time with Miss Amazing has played a big role in helping her prepare for Miss USA. “It’s a little bit different,” Holmgren says, “but it helped me preparing interviews and modeling on the stage.”
Holmgren is attending Bethel University in St. Paul and says that she’s really enjoying herself. “My first year is done, so I’m going into my second year of Bethel,” Holmgren says. “I love it.” Holmgren is hoping to become a teacher one day and is interning at the on-campus childcare center. “It’s just fun to play with the kids,” Holmgren says.
Mikayla Holmgren has a GoFundMe page to help with the cost of the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. You can donate here.
