Mickey Deputy may never be Miss America, but her inspiring legacy transcends pageant crown

Mickey Deputy walked onto the stage, paused briefly to strike a pose, then confidently sashayed to the microphone to introduce herself.

People packed in the auditorium at Ivy Tech's Hamilton County campus erupted in cheers.

The 25-year-old Franklin woman was clearly a crowd favorite at the Miss Spirit of Indiana and Miss Heart of the Midwest competitions last month. The events are feeders for the annual Miss America pageant.

Mickey has dedicated nearly seven years of her life to the dream of becoming the first Miss America contestant with Down syndrome. In a society that still often places those with disabilities behind the scenes, she has drawn back the curtain and stepped forward to star in the show.

But this was her last of more than 50 pageants. And while she never officially reached her goal, the challenges Mickey faced in those competitions pale in comparison to what she overcame just to get there — and to the impact she's had on other contestants.

In addition to Down syndrome, Mickey was born with three holes in her heart, the largest the size of a dime. At 7, she was diagnosed with leukemia, but amazingly — 3,000 pills, four bone marrow aspirations, 20 spinal taps, multiple blood transfusions, and 26 months later — she beat it. In February, she celebrated 16 years cancer free.

Now, she stays busy teaching dance and gymnastics at Style Dance Academy, where she's worked since 2018. She also helps out at a local school as a preschool assistant. And on most Sundays, Mickey can be found in the front row for worship at Victory Christian Church.

Related:Mickey Deputy awarded Sagamore of the Wabash

'I'm not who you think I am'

On the stage at Ivy Tech for the Feb. 12 pageant, contestants stepped up one at a time for the talent competition. Some sang. One performed a science experiment. Another did a stand-up comedy routine.

Then it was Mickey’s turn.

When she started competing in pageants in 2016, Mickey twirled ribbons like rhythmic gymnasts do at the Olympics. But as her confidence grew, she developed a different skill. Mickey used her time in the spotlight to address misconceptions about her diagnoses with a monologue titled “This is Me.”

I'm Mickey Deputy and I'm not who you think I am.

The world calls me a victim because I had Leukemia, but I say I'm a survivor who fought hard to win the battle and won.

The world wants me to feel worthless because I don't look, talk, or act like everyone else. How boring. I know I am valuable just the way I am.

The world calls me a mistake because my chromosomes are not like everyone else's. But I know I am perfectly and wonderfully made, daughter of the one true King!

The world calls me disabled because my abilities are different than yours. But what it doesn't see is my special ability to see the light, joy, and happiness in the world.

The world tells me to stop trying, that I'd never win, and that my dreams are impossible, but when has the impossible ever stopped me? Look out Miss America, here I come.

My name is Mickey, and I am exactly who I'm meant to be!

When she finished, the crowd again broke out in loud cheers. Many dabbed tears from their eyes. An ear-to-ear smile spread across the face of Mickey’s father, Michael Deputy.

Last shot at achieving her dream

Although a veteran of dozens of pageants, Mickey said she couldn’t sleep the night before her final competition. It would be her last chance to achieve a dream that seemed so unattainable when she began her journey.

“I get these feelings,” she said. “And I don't know how to explain them.”

As she closed her eyes to sleep, her thoughts turned to Esther. In the Bible, which Mickey studies daily, Esther showed incredible courage in the face of adversity. It’s something Mickey can relate to — something she’s done since birth. Adversity and courage could be her middle names.

But as curtain time drew near, Mickey found a sense of peace. Wearing a Victory T-shirt covered by a snake print robe, she strolled into the auditorium confident and comfortable, her head held high.

Now it was her mother, Jenny Deputy, who had a case of the nerves. Her head fell into her hands as she was hit by a flood of emotions.

She said dropping off a child with special needs and hoping they're accepted is never easy. Not being able to intercept hard questions or help others understand weighs heavily on Mickey's parents. All they've ever wanted is a safe place for Mickey to spread her wings and fly, and they say that's exactly what they found in the Miss America organization.

The pageant spotlight landed on Mickey in 2016. That’s when she set out on her “Quest to be Queen,” the nickname for her push to become the first Miss America contestant with Down syndrome.

Because of her courage and determination, she was featured on the "Today Show." Mickey also was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana's highest civilian honor, by then-Gov. Mike Pence, who would go on to become the U.S. vice president.

“Mickey has served as an inspiration and encouragement to all throughout the state and will continue to do so whether she’s in pageants or not,” Pence said recently. “Mickey, thank you for your joy and for sharing it with all of us, you make Hoosiers proud.”

Jenny Deputy’s reflection on Mickey’s final pageant brought a culmination to years of memories and emotions. The early mornings and travel. The dresses and photo shoots. The new friends and different stages. In the hustle and bustle of helping Mickey get ready that morning, the proud mother hadn't realized how hard the moment would hit her.

As she sat alone at a restaurant table after dropping off Mickey at Ivy Tech, she cried. Her tears trickled down around a half-eaten sausage and egg breakfast sandwich.

Related:A journey from princess to queen

Her smile can change a day

Chloe Pierce, who directs Miss Spirit of Indiana and Miss Heart of the Midwest, arrived at the auditorium in Noblesville early to prepare for the competition. What she found was cause for concern. The stage was still set for a theatrical version of "The Little Mermaid," including a castle and abundance of tridents. She was having issues with the soundboard, too.

That not-so-perfect start to the day quickly turned around, Pierce said, when Mickey walked in with a smile on her face.

Pierce has been involved in the Miss America organization since 2006. She said Mickey has been the pageant's biggest advocate and recruiter. Mickey also has a unique ability to bring together pageant locker rooms, Pierce said, in a way she hadn’t seen before.

That Mickey magic showed in pageant results. She was named Miss Congeniality in all but two of her more than 50 pageants — an honor that's bestowed by a vote of the contestants.

Miss Indiana 2017 Haley Begay was introduced to Mickey behind the scenes at a different pageant, Miss Metropolitan. She quickly learned why Mickey is so popular.

“I had never met her, and she asked me if I wanted to go to dinner with her and her mom after the pageant,” Begay recalled. “I said sure. So, we ended up at IHOP and ever since we've been buddies.”

Jenna Schmidt, another former Miss Indiana contestant, said Mickey changed her life when they met nearly 10 years ago. For her final pageant, Mickey wore a gown shared by Schmidt.

“She's just a really special person and she deserves the world,” Schmidt said through tears. “It's hard for me to put into words someone like her who has had that high of an impact on my life.”

Like Begay, Schmidt and many others, Pierce also built a powerful bond with Mickey. In fact, Mickey chose the February pageant to be her last because of Pierce’s involvement. That’s why Pierce knew, weeks before Mickey’s final lap around the stage, she had to do something to show Mickey just how much she means to everyone who’s come to know her.

Elegant in a gifted evening gown

Backstage at the packed auditorium, Mickey peeked around a corner attempting to find her parents in the audience. The opening music started before she could locate them.

Mickey came out with the other contestants and introduced herself to the crowd. Next was the onstage interview. If she had just one wish, Pierce asked Mickey, what would it be?

“My one wish is that I would be the new queen,” Mickey said. “And also, that God is always here with us.”

Later in the program, Mickey slowly made her way across the stage in a circular pattern. She was wearing the beautiful turquoise evening gown gifted to her by Schmidt. A smile graced Mickey's face when she looked into the crowd and saw her family and friends there to see her final competition.

“A lot of people don't give enough credit to people like Mickey who have faced so much hardship,” Schmidt said. “She has tenacity and perseveres and goes after what she wants. She's inspired me to do so many things I never thought I could do.”

How does one recognize that type of dedication and inspiration? Pierce had an idea. But it was a secret, and super hard to keep under her hat.

With the pageant winding toward its finale, Pierce fought back tears as she announced Mickey had been selected as the People's Choice Award winner. Mickey made her way to center stage, received the award from reigning Miss Spirit of Indiana Madeline Fisher, and promptly dropped to the ground.

Fisher extended her arm to help, but not before Mickey could look up and exclaim with her trademark enthusiasm: “I'm good!”

But there was even more to come. Good was just the beginning.

“Don't go far Mickey,” Pierce continued. “Because you're Miss Congeniality, too.”

After collecting her Miss Congeniality certificate, Mickey returned one last time to her place in line with the other contestants. What happened next caught Mickey and her parents completely off guard. Abandoning the running order in the pageant's program, Pierce went off script to reveal her secret. She announced a new award, one that had never been given out before: a Director's Award for Tenacity.

“From being born with three holes in her heart to beating childhood cancer to breaking barriers for those with different abilities our recipient knows no bounds,” Pierce said. “She's a consistent Miss Congeniality winner, which is a testament to her kindness, positive attitude and, of course, tenacity.”

“We hope she knows,” Pierce continued, “how much she is appreciated and loved by all of us.”

Mickey achieved, and surpassed, her goal

Mickey stood in awe — stunned, mouth wide open. Surrounded by family and friends in the crowd, Jenny Deputy was unable to contain her emotions while trying to capture video of the special moment with her phone.

Tears filled Mickey’s eyes, too, as she was blanketed in hugs from other contestants while the audience rose for a standing ovation.

“My heart just exploded,” Michael Deputy said afterward. “I'm the proudest dad you've ever met.”

Then, as the pageant director returned to the script, Mickey showed why she was so often selected Miss Congeniality. She stood and gleefully cheered, with a huge smile on her face, as Lauren Frank was announced as Miss Heart of the Midwest and Rachel Ramos as Miss Spirit of Indiana.

It was all the proof anyone needed to know that Mickey had achieved — and surpassed — her goal without ever being crowned as a pageant queen.

“She wants the world to be different because of her," Michael Deputy said. “And the Miss America organization is now different because of her.”

Contact IndyStar photojournalist Mykal McEldowney at 317-790-6991 or mykal.mceldowney@indystar.com. Follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mickey Deputy has a special ability to see and spread joy and light