Courtney Gaines

COURTNEY IS A BRAND THAT WILL ADD TO YOUR BRAND! There is fire compacted in the 4'9 fireball coming from a small community outside of the largest city in Oklahoma. Courtney Gaines is an advocate, ambassador, and model who is blasting off, lending her brand to any brand who knows the value in reaching out to the underrepresented disability community. Currently, Courtney represents Choctaw and Midwest City Oklahoma in the Miss Oklahoma Teen U.S.A Pageant. This is no ordinary run, Courtney is the 1st person with Down Syndrome to be selected to participate in Miss Oklahoma Teen U.S.A. Courtney is only the second teen with Down Syndrome to be selected in the Miss Teen U.S.A . Raechel Benson in Washington State participated in March 2021. To date, Courtney is the third to be selected in the history of the Miss Teeen USA/MIss USA Franchichise, Mikayla Holmgren made history as the first women with Down Syndrome who participated in Miss USA Minnesota in 2017. Third time's a charm! Her official title of Miss Choctaw/Midwest City represents the community that has educated and nurtured her and the community in which the family resides.. In 2019, she was the first person from Oklahoma to be selected to participate in the Global Down Syndrome Be Beautiful, Be Yourself Fashion Show. This is a star-studded and the largest fundraiser for individuals with Down Syndrome. The runway models come from across the globe for this event. In March 2020, as a member of the Shining Starz Cheer Ability Team under Cheers and More, a national championship was won. Courtney joined the Shining Starz Cheerablity Squad in 2015. The dynamic coaching staff along with the strong will and desire of these differently abled individuals was a driving force in their momentus win. Courtney also has acting chops. She appeared in the stage play, Mary Poppins Jr with Kids Alive! /Kaleidoscope. KidsAlive! Kaleidoscope brings together children of ALL abilities. Experienced young performers (mirrors) and children with special needs (gems) pair up to create a music theater experience with beautiful patterns and shapes that wouldn't be seen without the collaboration of the two. She has also walked the runway as a participant in Miss Amazing, another wonderful program that is dedicated to providing positive experiences to girls and women with various disabilities. Recently, she has added the Guiness Book of World Record holder to her resume. She earned a place with other members of the Global Down Syndrome community by being part of the Most people doing the Raise the Roof dance move online simultaneously on World Down Syndrome Day 2021. Courtney is an Ambassador for African American Girls and Women with Disabilities through GirlTrek. GirlTrek is the largest non-profit dedicated to the health and wellness of African American girls and women. African Americans with disabilities are at higher risk for disease and health related issues .Courtney stands on a platform of health and wellness as is a "visual advocate" through her actions. Additionally, Courtney and her mother, DeAnna, have been selected by National Down Syndrome Society as Down Syndrome Advocates for the 4th United States Congressional District. The key objectives as ambassadors include strengthening and organizing the Down Syndrome community’s grassroots advocacy network across the US by encouraging more advocates to become active in supporting legislative efforts that are beneficial to the Down Syndrome community. The family is also very active in the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma Courtney has that "wow" that draws people to her. John Ashford, shoe designer to celebrities such as Whoopi and Mariah, created a one-of-a-kind shoe for Courtney's historic runway walk. Producer Lazara Gonzalez is dedicated to helping Courtney with her runway moves for the big night. Death Row co-founder and entrepreneur Lydia Harris Entertainment and Literacy Foundation will team up with Courtney on projects throughout this year. Courtney is unstoppable! Watch out for her as she takes the world by storm! https://youtu.be/wMwzElxOnn0