Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Hays.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From the time I was child I can always remember my role as being a helper, a good friend, and the person that holds everything together..the strong-independant one! I feel that this has proven to come as a double edge sword my whole life.
Always giving more than I receive, sometimes being used, and learning that not everyone gives in the same way I do. I think I found my passion for helping others early on, and this carried into me getting my BA in Sociology and Services, where I then spent several years in Social Work later going back to school for my MA in Education in School Counseling. I have spent the last 18 years as a high school counselor where my job has drastically changed. The mental health of students has dramatically increased which led to my passion around mental health advocacy work. I led a mental health walk out of a need that I saw at a high school I worked at, and then was approached about entering a pageant to do work around mental health on a larger scale. I competed for USOA and was the first runner, and had developed my platform Tomorrow Needs You to spread awareness and advocacy for mental health work. At the same time I joined the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) board, where I serve as the President doing service work in Pierce County. I later competed for World United USA and won the International title of World United Miss.
This title became the catalyst for doors to open to spread my message to different communities, organizations, to travel and to meet amazing people who shared my passion. I have modeled in New York Fashion Week twice now due to these connections, and will be launching a line to have worn in the California Fashion Week next October to support mental health awareness and to break the stigma around those living with mental health conditions. I have been able to donate money to the local school district I work for, providing scholarships for students for post secondary education, as well have been nominated 3 years in a row for the Global Beauty Awards in Washington State.
Currently I work helping students at Peninsula School District as the PostSecondary and Career Counselor where I get the amazing job of launching students into their post high school plans, developing their confidence and belief that they really can do anything they set their mind to.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think anyone who is a go-getter, driven, or a high achiever ever has a smooth ride. Typically these types of people are met with resistance, challenges, and bumpy roads, but that is what makes people like me unique. I have been met with those that I thought were true friends or supporters doubting my intent or why I am so passionate about mental health work, I have worked closely with someone who took advantage of an organization that I whole-heartedly supported, I have lost students that I have worked with to suicide despite my continued work with them, yet I continue the work.
I continue because it fuels my soul, and I believe even one ripple change can make a larger systemic change. I believe that my work matters, and am a strong voice and advocate for others who may not feel like they have one.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have spent the last 23 years serving others. First as a social worker, then as a school counselor, and now as a career counselor. Dedicating my life to believing in all children, pushing the boundaries to create equal opportunities for all, and helping students see their full potential, and to have a vision for their life beyond high school. I suppose I am known for someone who has strong skills sets and a lot of experience in mental health, social work, specialized work with high school students, career and technical education, as well as threat assessment.
I am most proud to be a part of a district that supports my skills and challenges me to rise up to do great things for students. I think what sets me apart is that I will not be told I can’t do something…in fact it fuels me more to accomplish great things.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking.
I think I am a risk taker, a change maker, do not always conform, and often go against the grain of what everyone else thinks or believes. I think life is all about risks, and risk taking. I believe if you don’t take risks, or challenge things you become a conformist, and become complacent.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: 2023worldunitedmiss
- Other: https://namipierce.org/
