Down Syndrome Not Hindrance For Teen Vying To Be Miss America

An Indiana teen with Down syndrome is setting her sights on the Miss America crown. She has already won several local pageants and now she wants to win the shiniest crown of all.

Mickey Deputy, 18, isn't the usual skinny 36-24-26 teenager who desires to be crowned Miss America. She has Down syndrome, had open heart surgery when she was a baby, and battled leukemia when she was 2-years-old. Despite all these, Deputy possesses a bright outlook in life, prompting her to join pageants at 14 years old.

Early Beauty Pageant Foray

Parenting reported that Deputy's natural flair on stage started when she joined the Miss Amazing pageant, a contest meant for girls with disabilities. She won the pageant and proceeded to the Junior Teen level, and subsequently to the Teen levels.

According to Today, it was a family friend who encouraged Deputy to join the Miss Amazing competition. They didn't expect that Deputy was a natural. She had it in her all along to be an amazing beauty queen.

Great Dancer

Mickey Deputy loves to dance. She showcases her dancing talent in pageants. Today mentioned that her presence encouraged other contestants to be the best that they can be. It also prompted them to be themselves.

Jenny, the mother of Deputy, said, "We would like for people bringing up kids with disabilities to see that it's important to not put limits on them ... to allow them to try things they want to try." Jenny also mentioned that they want to level the playing field. They also aim to break down walls and barriers that tend to isolate Down syndrome sufferers from their peers.

Reason For Competing

Today likewise said that Deputy is competing in pageants "to show the special needs kids that they can have an invisible crown, just like God." She hopes that people will see that they are humans and "not just props or tools."

Mickey Deputy's Down syndrome didn't hinder her from joining beauty pageants. With a courageous heart and a strong spirit, Deputy might just win the Miss Indiana title and strut her way to Miss America.

Do you think she has a chance at winning the Miss America crown? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.