Miss Delaware Teen USA Kayla Kosmarski prepares for national competition

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — While many teenagers are on summer vacation, one Delaware teen has been busy practicing for a national title.

Kayla Kosmalski is preparing for the Miss Teen USA competition in August.

If she takes to the stage, she’ll make history as the first contestant with Down Syndrome – she already broke barriers when she won in Delaware.

“I think it’s amazing,” said the 18-year-old who made history as Miss Teen Delaware USA. But long before she held the crown, she already felt like a queen.

“You just have to take advantage of it and make it your own,” she said with a laugh.

That’s confidence, which is key in a contest.

“I started entering beauty pageants when I was 5 years old,” Kayla says.

Kayla, who graduated from Middletown High School this year, had her dream come true when she was crowned Miss Delaware Teen USA in April.

“I was shocked, but happy,” she said. “I wanted to cry, but I didn’t want to cry.”

Kayla is the first person with Down Syndrome to win the title of Miss Delaware Teen USA.

“I want to show the world that people with Down syndrome can do anything,” she said.

Advocating for people with Down Syndrome is a pillar of Kayla’s activism, and keeps her busy with interviews and appearances.

“I’ve been to New York City, I’ve been giving speeches,” the queen said of her busy schedule since her coronation. “I’m an ambassador for Hearts of Joy.”

She’s doing all this while preparing for the Miss Teen USA competition in August.

Kayla will be the first person with Down Syndrome to compete at nationals, and she’s more than ready.

“I love wearing activewear, it’s my favorite thing,” she says. “I bring sass! I bring energy!”

She is always ready to take to the stage and shine, no matter what.

The former high school swimmer, cheerleader and National Honor Society member plans to attend West Chester University, where she is already a member of the cheerleading squad — another way she’s breaking down barriers.

“I want to show the world that people with disabilities can do anything,” she says, “as long as they keep chasing their dreams and keep shining.”