If you know someone who suffers from Down Syndrome, then you only know how difficult the life of that person is, that said, the intensity varies from person to person. I worked in a day care where they used to teach kids with down syndrome, believe me the people suffering from this disorder, are most nicest person on earth. They don't know feelings of hatred or jealousy, they have their moments of anger but nothing to be alarmed of. This girl just took my heart away, I cannot even imagine the amount of patience / hard work must be invested by parents/doctors of this girl to prepare her for this stage as usually OP are very shy. Go Girl! This world is a stage and now its all yours!

I don´t really get the point of beauty contests, and even worse, why competing in them. You might get a "she´s prettier than you " and you´ll have to deal with it. If you feel you´ve been discriminated or bullied because of beauty parameters, don’t compete for beauty. Perhaps you won´t get the crown, or perhaps you will, making other contestants feel less pretty. It´s bad anyhow you look at it.

When I was a kid my best friend had down syndrome. He was the nicest person I've EVER known. But to so many people all they saw was his disorder not who he was as a person. It breaks my heart so much to know that most people have preconceived ideas about people with down syndrome and that most the time those ideas are wrong! I am so proud of the young woman and all that she's done. Way to go mikayla!

I honestly keep coming back to this just to see how pretty she looks with that wonderful smile. Gosh!

I am a 48 year-old man, can I join the pageant, too?

Beautiful lady and spirit!! Wish her many more wins in life!

her smile is so pweetee :)

This is kind of annoying. Society was so unaccepting that we now have to make a big deal out of everything. She should think 'I'm going to compete in a pageant' NOT 'I'm going to test society and change things'. She shouldn't have to change things. People should treat her the same as everyone and not have to give her special attention because she is 'different'. I see her as a beautiful girl who competed in a pageant. Why can't others see her like that as well?

She's so beautiful

it's truly amazing what she does and requires a lot of courage. i give her that. but I bed she will win main event, not bcoz she deserves ir, but bcoz it's politically correct. Don't understand me wrong - I have nothing against the girl and I really wish her the best. but as soon as someone 'different' joins this kind of competition it's obvious this person will win, bcoz it's 'right thing'.

She is totally beautiful

i don't care who you are that black and white photo is just amazeballz.