Nicole Kelly was recently named winner of the Miss Iowa Competition. What makes her stand out? For starters, she only has one arm.
Miss Kelly, a 23-year-old Miss Iowa hopeful, single handedly won this year's top spot. She will be advancing to the Miss America pageant on June 15.
The event will be held in Atlantic City, and Nicole already has big plans. She will be giving lectures about the importance of overcoming disabilities.
This is a topic she knows a thing, or two, about. While the other contestants managed to have all of their appendages, there are some national contestants she may have to strong arm.
Alexis Wineman, a Montana resident, has a disability of her own. She is the first ever autistic contestant to participate in the Miss America pageant.
That's some pretty stiff competition. When asked to comment on Miss Kelly, Winerman seemed confused over all of the attention.
Putting disabilities on full display is great for society, and something that Nicole Kelly has long championed.
Miss Kelly gives her thoughts on the situation:
"As I grew up I learned to counterbalance the initial stares I received from people with an outgoing personality that would not give into 'no.' This means that I tried everything. From baseball, to dance, to diving--there is nothing I would not try. I found my passion within a world where I was giving people permission to stare: the stage."
Kelly went on to discuss her victory:
"If you would've told me a year ago that 'pageant queen' was in my future, I would have laughed. Giving voice to a platform is a great honor and I am excited to continue my adventure of speaking out and touching lives."
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