First woman with Down syndrome competes in Miss USA state pageant

BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- A 22-year-old woman from Minnesota is quickly earning the title of trailblazer after she took part in a pageant on Sunday.

Mikayla Holmgren is believed to be the first person with Down syndrome to compete in a Miss USA state pageant.

Holmgren is a student at Bethel University in Saint Paul, where she's a triple-threat athlete.

She also serves as a mentor for other young women and has a passion for dancing.

While she didn't move on to the final round, Holmgren's talent and charisma didn't go unnoticed. She won two awards Sunday night - Spirit of Miss U.S.A. and the Director's Award.

"I'm really proud of my parents and I'm really proud of myself," Holmgren said.

The audience gave Holmgren a standing ovation, and Kalie Wright was chosen as the next Miss Minnesota U.S.A.