Mikayla Holmgren hopes to be 1st woman with Down Syndrome featured in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has come a long way in the last few years making a commitment to inclusion. One of our own, Minnesota’s Halima Aden, was the first model featured wearing a hijab and burkini. Now, Marine on St. Croix native is hoping to be the next Minnesotan to make history in the issue. Her name is Mikayla Holmgren and if that name rings a bell it’s because she was the first woman with Down syndrome to compete in a Miss USA pageant entering the Miss Minnesota USA pageant in 2017. She won the Spirit of Miss USA and Director’s awards that night. Now she’s set her sights on the SI Swim Issue and put together her audition video which is now posted online. To follow along with her journey, you can check her out on Instagram @Mikholmgren_Inspiring_Others