Mississippi teen Madalyn Sullivan wrote an autism-acceptance book inspired by her sister and sent it to libraries in all 82 counties; she has now finished second at Miss America’s Teen
Madalyn Sullivan, Miss Mississippi’s Teen and an Oxford native, has finished as first runner-up at Miss America’s Teen. The high school student reached the national stage after years of advocating for autism acceptance, inspired by her sister, and using that experience to create Millie’s Mission.Sullivan competed through a week of events before the final competition. According to Super Talk FM’s report, her schedule included interviews, a talent portion, preliminary competitions and public appearances. The final was held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, where Miss Utah’s Teen Elle Anderson was crowned Miss America’s Teen 2027.Sullivan finished second among the five finalists. Anderson took the title, followed by Sullivan, Miss South Carolina’s Teen Logan Wells, Miss Texas’ Teen Zoe Zogleman and Miss Minnesota’s Teen Natalia Yurecko.Sullivan received a $9,000 scholarship for finishing as first runner-up. Earlier in the week, she won the Evening Wear Preliminary competition, earning another $1,500 scholarship.For Sullivan, however, the pageant is only one part of the work she has been doing. Away from the stage, the Oxford High School student has been using her own family experience to promote autism acceptance through an initiative called Millie’s Mission.
A mission inspired by her sister
Sullivan’s interest in autism advocacy began with her younger sister. She said her sister was diagnosed with autism when she was 2, while Sullivan was 5 years old.“My sister was diagnosed with autism when she was 2, and I was 5 at the time, and since then I have tried to be one of her biggest advocates,” Sullivan said, as quoted by WAPT.Sullivan said she grew up reading to her sister’s classroom about autism. That experience eventually led her to create something of her own that could be shared with children and families.She co-authored a children’s book called “Meet Millie”. The book was created as part of Millie’s Mission, the initiative she founded to promote autism acceptance and encourage a more inclusive society for people with autism.Sullivan eventually took the book across Mississippi. She said “Meet Millie” is available on Amazon and that she donated copies to public libraries in all 82 counties in the state.
Reading the book with her sister
The project has also given Sullivan a way to work alongside the sister who inspired it. Sullivan said her sister joins her when she reads “Meet Millie” and that the two have fun during those sessions.For Sullivan, the book is connected directly to the larger purpose of Millie’s Mission. “The goal of Millie’s Mission is to create a more inclusive society for those with autism,” she said.As Miss Mississippi’s Teen, Sullivan had planned to use her year-long platform to encourage communities to support families affected by autism.Sullivan is also active outside her advocacy and pageant work. She is an Oxford High School student and takes part in several school activities. She is a member of the dance team, runs cross country, sings in the choir and participates in the theatre programme.
