Without an interpreter, she attended public school until she was twelve years old, inspired by another young woman from Alabama, Helen Keller. Falling behind, she was enrolled into the Central Institute for the Deaf in Missouri in 1991. She learned two grade levels per year, and three years later, caught up with her peers. Returning to Alabama, she graduated with a GPA of 3.6. She then went on to study at Jacksonville State University, also continuing to pursue her passion for ballet.

Entering the Miss America pageant circuit, she won Miss Jacksonville State University title and went on to become Miss Alabama her first year. When she stood next to Miss Virginia in the Miss America pageant as one of the final two, she couldn’t hear the host, Regis Philbin announce her name, but read his lips. As Miss America, Heather showcased her S.T.A.R.S. program. It stands for “Success Through Action and Realization of your dreams.” The five points are: positive attitude, belief in a dream, the willingness to work hard, facing obstacles, and building a strong support team – all things Heather had done in her life. During this time she also served as an executive member on the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.