Miss Kentucky, DSSKY celebrate beauty of inclusive pageant

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – One beauty pageant opened its stage up for all walks of life.

Miss Kentucky Mallory Hudson, along with Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky’s Buddy House, worked alongside each other this weekend to bring the Inclusive Stages Beauty Showcase to Bowling Green.

This program advocated for individuals with special learning needs and disabilities through an artistic lens.

The goal is to bring this program back annually to help continue to allow those from all walks of life to have a spotlight on stage.

“I hope that they took away that they can shine,” Hudson says. “And I believe that that is the essence of inclusivity in our communities and in Kentucky communities as well, is that everyone can shine if they’re simply given the opportunity to do so. ”

She says everyone received an award that was singular to who they were and what they represented on stage.

Around 12 to 15 participants showed this year, and Hudson is hoping to grow that number in the years to come.