
Miss Delaware Teen USA Makes History as First Contestant with Down Syndrome
Kayla Kosmalski Takes the National Stage
WILMINGTON, Del. – Kayla Kosmalski, current Miss Delaware Teen USA, is about to make history at the national Miss Teen USA pageant in Hollywood. While the organization has a 74-year history, Kayla is the first national contestant with Down syndrome.
Kayla Kosmalski’s Journey to Miss Teen Delaware

Blowing away the Delaware judges, the 18-year-old Middletown High School senior earned the crown this past April with her heart and passion for activism. However, this was not Kayla’s first attempt at the title. With her dedication to herself and the disabled community, Kayla returned to the pageant with more grace, determination, and charm than ever before.
Although Kayla captivated the judges and audience with her beauty, it was her commitment to advocacy that made her a truly remarkable contestant. As a result of her continuous lobbying for the rights of individuals with disabilities, the ABLE Act was passed and renamed the Kayla Act in Delaware. The Kayla Act allows eligible people with disabilities to create a savings fund for things such as education, housing, or employment training. This equitable act would not be making such a powerful positive change without Kayla and her family’s persistence.
“The Miss Delaware Teen USA pageant, produced by V&M Productions in Wilmington, Delaware, has always been a platform for empowering young women to pursue their dreams and effect positive change in their communities,” says Carrieri-Russo. “Kayla exemplifies the pageant’s philosophy of celebrating diversity, resilience, and the boundless potential of every individual. We are incredibly excited and proud to see her take that message to the national stage at the Miss Teen USA pageant.”
Next for Kayla: Miss Teen USA
Kayla will undoubtedly make waves, and make history, this week at the national pageant. All of Delaware is proud to have such an empowering young woman representing the state.
“Kayla’s remarkable journey to the crown has been fueled by her desire to inspire young girls around the state, nation, and globe who are navigating life with disabilities,” explains Miss Delaware Teen USA Executive Director, Vincenza Carrieri-Russo. “Her goal, to become the first Miss Teen USA with Down syndrome, reflects her unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and redefining standards of beauty and inclusivity in the pageant world… and beyond.”
The Miss Teen USA Pageant will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 1st. The CW Network will be broadcasting it live at the time of the event. For more information about Miss Teen USA, check out https://themissteenusa.com/.
DETV is excited to share about Kayla’s journey during the upcoming pageant!
Images included Photos by Reza Venagas (@Rezanationmedia @Rezanationstudio).
One Comment