NEW RINGGOLD — Seeing the beauty and uniqueness in oneself is a gift Cheryl Ann Heim hopes to impart to others.
When Heim’s son, Brian, 9, was diagnosed with alopecia, a type of hair loss, a few years ago, she decided to help other families dealing with the autoimmune condition and targeted boosting her son’s self-esteem.
Today, the New Ringgold mother of three serves as Mrs. Schuylkill County America 2016, and has selected alopecia awareness as her platform.
“I didn’t really know what it was until he got it,” said Heim, 35, who will compete for the Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2016 title on June 18 in Philadelphia.
“It’s not contagious, and not life-threatening, but it is life-altering,” she said.
Cheryl Ann is married to Jeremy Heim, and their children include Brian, Christopher, 12, and Bradley, 3. Her parents are Dennis and Karen Gibson, Lake Wynonah.
Areata alopecia
She said Brian had a full head of hair until he was 4 or 5, then he started losing his hair in patches as his hair follicles were attacked by his own immune system. His form of the condition is called areata alopecia, which leaves his hair growing in patches. Another form is called totalis alopecia, which results in all, or nearly all scalp hair loss. So far, there is no cure for the condition, she said.
As her son started losing his hair, Heim asked him if he wanted to shave his head.
“He said he likes the hair that he has,” she said.
She added, “Although he is a strong, kindhearted boy, I see firsthand the effect alopecia can have on one’s self-confidence, friendships and life. Everyday I strive to educate the uneducated and share love, laughter and light to those in need.”
‘You-nique & Be-you-tiful’
Heim’s platform for the competition is “You are You-nique & Be-you-tiful!” She said she’s attended community, church and women’s group events and seminars, presenting motivational speeches based on building self-confidence.
She also supports Children’s Alopecia Project, which is an organization that helps children affected by alopecia by creating local group activities, like ballgames and picnics, with CAP kids and their families.
Through CAP, Heim hands out specially designed educational brochures to educate others about the condition, delivers kids books about alopecia to school libraries, attends CAP events and organizes fundraisers to support education and awareness efforts. She’s hosting an “Antiques 4 Alopecia” fundraiser this year at an antique shop she co-owns near Allentown, donating a portion of the proceeds to CAP.
To earn the Mrs. Schuylkill County America 2016 title, Heim had to submit a written application, explaining her platform, community involvement, hobbies and general background. There was no pageant at the county level, she said.
In her application, Heim said she enjoys the “adventure that comes with raising three boys.”
As a family, they enjoy playing soccer and basketball, hiking the Appalachian Trail, boating and water sports, snow tubing, and visiting parks and museums.
“I enjoy attending auctions with my husband, going to dinner and dancing or just snuggling at home watching a movie. I am owner of an antique store and my favorite hobbies are going to flea markets and yard sales looking for antiques, unique items and furniture to repurpose and bring new life to. I consider myself an easygoing, caring and self-confident woman who is dedicated to her family and has a heart for helping others,” she said.
Heim said she’s entered this pageant before. She’s hoping the experience will allow her to discuss alopecia with a wider audience and assist her efforts to become a motivational speaker. In addition to co-owning an antiques shop, she also has a real estate license in escrow.
‘A game’
Heim said always being on your “A game” is probably the toughest part of having the Mrs. Schuylkill County America 2016 title.
“You always want people to see you at your best. But I’m a mom. I was just out mulching the garden and doing dishes. I’ll run to the bus stop in shorts, and I’m not always in dresses,” she said.
She’s looking forward to the competition.
“I enjoy the interview. I like talking to people. Believe it or not, I used to be very shy and would hide behind my mother’s back in church. Being in pageants helped me come out of that,” she said.
State pageant
The website, www.mrspennamerica.org, outlines the mission of the state pageant, which has been running since 1977.
“The Mrs. Pennsylvania America pageant publicly recognizes beautiful married women, living within the state of Pennsylvania, who have obtained personal, professional, and community achievements. An official preliminary pageant to Mrs. America and Mrs. World, the Mrs. Pennsylvania organization welcomes women from all ethnic backgrounds to compete in a yearly pageant for the title of Mrs. Pennsylvania America.”
Each state plus the District of Columbia has a yearly preliminary pageant to select a delegate to participate in the Mrs. America pageant, according to the website. At the Mrs. America pageant, 51 women compete for the coveted title of Mrs. America. Then, the delegate who wins the Mrs. America pageant moves on to the Mrs. World pageant.
During the state pageant, the contestants are judged in three categories: interview (50 percent), swimsuit (25 percent) and evening gown (25 percent).
The woman with the highest overall score wins the title of Mrs. Pennsylvania America and travels to Mrs. America to compete for the national title.
The Mrs. Pennsylvania America Pageant 2016 is presented by An Officer and Gentlewoman LLC and ThomasRiley Strategies LLC. The pageant will be held at 7 p.m. June 18 at the University of Arts, Terra Hall Auditorium, 211 South Broad St., Philadelphia.
Kate Schartel Novak is Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2015.
Not every county candidate gets an opportunity to move to the state competition, Heim said. State contestants are invited by the event’s coordinator to participate. Heim will compete against eight other candidates for the 2016 Mrs. Pennsylvania America title.
Contestants
The other contestants and their platforms are: Sandahl Taylor, Mrs. Allegheny County, Heart health at any age; Bethany Normoyle, Mrs. Bucks County, domestic abuse; Jennifer Hacker, Mrs. Cumberland County, mental illness; Teena Handline, Mrs. Delaware County, “But You Don’t Look Sick!” invisible illness awareness and support; Adrianna Markowitz, Mrs. Franklin County, sexual abuse; Tiffany Joyce, Mrs. Greene County, SIDS awareness and research; April Walker Taylor, Mrs. Montgomery County, autism awareness; and Nadia Abbondanza, Mrs. Washington County, positive parenting.
Heim said she’s honored to stand beside this year’s contestants.
“Truly each and every one of these women are deserving the honor of representing our great state and a wonderful organization,” she said. “We are blessed to be a part of the Mrs. Pennsylvania America organization where they allow hardworking women to showcase their individual platforms while promoting the beauty of devoted wives and driven women.”