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Naperville teen's passion for media and people with disabilities helps land her Miss Amazing title

Naperville Sun - 10/30/2020

Oct. 29--Many of the participants in the Illinois Miss Amazing pageant chose to sing or dance or do spoken word as part of their presentation.

Lily Goodfellow took a different approach.

The 17-year-old Naperville Central High School student submitted a video she made about the Special Olympics for her school's Hawk TV program.

"Everybody wants to be accepted and included," Lily said toward the conclusion of the video.

Lily, who has Down syndrome, has a passion for media production and advocating for people living with disabilities that helped her win Illinois' Miss Amazing Teen crown. It was the second time she had participated in the competition.

Miss Amazing supports girls and women with disabilities, providing opportunities for members to be empowered and gain self esteem and confidence through competition, education and leadership programming, according to the nonprofit organization's website.

Illinois Miss Amazing representatives are "shining examples of the fact that girls with disabilities have diverse strengths and big ambitions," a news release on the pageant said.

This year the event had to be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"For her to do it all on camera, she didn't mind it, it felt natural," said Nancy Goodfellow, Lily's mother.

Lily loves being on camera and on stage, her mother said. She's a fan of Broadway productions and has participated in children's musicals, she said.

Lily is a member of Naperville Central's Hawk TV, the school's TV network, and this year became its vice president. Her monthly show is devoted to sharing stories of inclusion and students with disabilities.

Katie Long-Piper, Hawk TV's faculty advisor, said Lily has demonstrated she has the skills to pursue a career in media, possibly as a sideline reporter.

"She is focused enough and can pick out the details that I think she can succeed," Long-Piper said.

"I think that giving opportunities to kids with special needs or anybody who wants an opportunity is important because everyone wants to be included, everyone wants to feel validated," she said. "With Lily, I hope people can see how accepted she is and how she's just like any of the other students."

The high school senior said she hopes to attend college after graduation, although her mother said she may start in a transition program first.

"I just want to go right into college," Lily said. "I want to still do the TV stuff."

As the winner of the Illinois Miss Amazing Teen title, she'll join representatives from others states in Nashville next summer for the national competition.

Nancy Goodfellow said she is thankful for Miss Amazing's work in highlighting the success stories of girls living with a variety of disabilities and for their work in raising girls' confidence.

"They all have the same dreams and goals," Goodfellow said. "(Lily) is working hard to make those dreams possible, while hopefully making a difference for the community at the same time."

raguerrero@tribpub.com

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