Teen with Down Syndrome makes history by winning the title of Miss Delaware Teen USA

Determination and persistence always lead to success. When people are determined, nothing can stop them from achieving their goals. 17-year-old Kayla Kosmalski proved it by winning the title of Miss Delaware Teen USA, per CBS Philadelphia. The high schooler has broken barriers by becoming the first-ever teen with Down syndrome to win the title. On her second attempt, the young woman won the crown with her undeniable charm, grace, and elegance. The multi-talented beauty who is a swimmer and cheerleader at Middletown High School, credits hard work for her win.

“Everyone can do anything if they dream big and achieve goals,” she commented, as reported by Town Square Delaware. Her parents, Amy and Rick, initially feared that the diagnosis would limit their daughter's vibrant life, they shared. “A few weeks into loving her and having her at home, I thought, ‘This is not what Down syndrome has to be. I am going to love her. I am going to encourage her the same as any other child that we’re blessed to have,’” Amy recalled. “Kayla will write her own story.” Kosmalski has been fervently trying to win the pageant for quite some time.

After facing several obstacles, the teen was unable to compete last year. However, the teen persisted in her hunt for the crown and prepared herself this year to earn the well-deserved title. @missteenusa shared a post on Instagram with the Kosmalski proudly making it to the top 6. Her parents supported her throughout, irrespective of the result. “It was down to Kayla and the first runner up, and I thought, ‘Well, first runner up. This is fantastic.’ No one with Down syndrome has ever been able to do anything like this,” Amy said. After the young woman was crowned Miss Delaware Teen USA, her parents’ joy and surprise knew no bounds. While Kosmalski was astounded, she made her way to the center of the stage to accept her crown.

It’s not just Kosmalski’s stunning glamor that won her the crown. The young woman's success is about more than just her glamor; it's about her powerful impact. As a person with Down syndrome, she is actively involved in activism and advocacy, pushing forth for inclusivity for those with disabilities. She also put in quite some work towards the passage of the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act. It revised a law permitting people with disabilities who received government benefits to only have $2,000 in assets, or they would lose benefits. Thanks to Kosmalski’s efforts, there are no more bleak limitations causing hindrances for those aiming high.

“Kayla’s representing all individuals with Down syndrome. There’s a bigger picture. She’s representing not just herself but also so many others who may be afraid to take that chance and step out of their comfort zone,” Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, executive director of Miss Delaware Teen USA, said. She also shared a post of the teen on her Instagram. Kosmalski is of the strong opinion that people with Down syndrome should have no reason to hold back from chasing their dreams. “They are who they are. They are amazing. Be kind to one another. Down syndrome doesn’t hold me back!”