This year, South Dakota’s third annual Miss Amazing Pageant took place. Even so, Miss Amazing Program’s uplifting narrative of encouragement and empowerment started 10 years ago, but more recently involves LHS alumni, current special education teacher and current Miss Amazing director, Becca Worden. Having its start in Omaha, NE and later spreading to 30 other states, the Miss Amazing Pageant was established as an all-inclusive pageant that strives to empower and encourage girls and women with disabilities.

“The Miss Amazing Organization is a nationwide program in 30 states,” said Worden. Each of the 30 states has a program of their own. The mission of the Miss Amazing Organization is to provide opportunities for girls and women with disabilities and to build their confidence and self esteem in a supportive environment. There aren’t really a whole lot of events like this for individuals with disabilities and their families. It truly is just a day where we just embrace the inner and outer beauty of the participants. We get a lot of fun feedback from families and participants.”

Before Worden got involved with Miss Amazing, she was prompted and inspired to work in the field of Special Education not only by volunteering in the Cluster program at LHS during her high school career, but also through the influence her aunt had on her while growing up.

“I actually have an aunt who has down syndrome,” said Worden. “Just growing up with a family member who I didn’t see her as any different, when I was younger we’d color together, we’d make bracelets and different things like that, so I never really thought of her as being different or even necessarily noticing her having a disability.”

Just as Worden did not focus on her aunt’s disability growing up, Miss Amazing serves as a place that does not limit one according to their disabilities, but rather embraces and celebrates  their abilities. Each judge is subject to a 90 second interview before the pageant takes place to ensure the volunteers know what judging the pageant entails and that they judge accordingly. Miss Amazing’s legacy is one that makes it evident that any person can accomplish and participate in anything that resonates with them.

“One of the things that I enjoy the most is that it’s a completely inclusive program,” said Worden. “We have participants that are verbal, we have participants that are nonverbal and our judges judge accordingly. They are familiar with the skills of all of the girls. One person who is nonverbal isn’t going to have a disadvantage compared to someone who is. I think anyone can be involved no matter what ability level they have.”