Local Model Wins 'Miss Congeniality' Title, Puts Helping Others First

When Riverhead model Heather Riley signed up for the recent Miss Long Island 2014 competition, she was also crossing one item off her bucket list.

And winning the "Miss Congeniality" title was an experience Riley said she'll never forget.

Riley, 23, works as a professional model, traveling to New York, Boston, Saratoga Springs and other locales to further her  career.

A recent graduate of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, Riley said she had never participated in a pageant before last week's competition.

"Competing for a pageant however, was on my reality bucket list so I am glad that I had this opportunity," she said.

The experience, she said, taught important life lessons.

"Pageants are amazing for getting prepared for interviews, public speaking, as well as poise and confidence. Being on stage in a two-piece bikini for most is extremely difficult, as well as having one-on-one interview in front of a panel of four judges. The amount of confidence and positivity you gain throughout the pageant experience is incredible."

After dipping her toe into the proverbial water, Riley said she's ready to sign up again, looking for new pageants to compete in.

"I know it will help with my interviewing, and it keeps you humble and well grounded," she said.

With finances an issue, Riley said she's found a way to mitigate the costs involved in the pageant process.

"I decided to do something different than most others I have met so far in the pageant and I told myself 'Beauty on a Budget,'" she said.

Riley said she channeled the advice of her friend Erika Santos, who hosts a web series, "Beauty on a Budget."

Santos, Riley said, shares advice on "how to make it in the industry without spending a fortune."

To that end, Riley said, Miss Albany International, as well as her pageant coach Amanda Daley, let her borrow an evening gown and swimsuit shoes.

The owner, originally from Riverhead, of the Bikini Goddess business in Florida was Riley's swimsuit sponsor.

The pageant posed other challenges, Riley said.

"The biggest stress was just making sure I was prepared as much as possible for interview, the Top 10 platform speech, just in case, and the on-stage question. However, once I made it to the stage, all of the stress was left behind and I had an amazing time."

Riley said she was thrilled with the title she won. "Going into the competition, I had only been to one pageant beforehand, and I knew that if I wasn't going to win the full Miss Long Island 2014 title, then I definitely wanted to win Miss Congeniality. Miss Congeniality is known across the nation as a significant title, and the honor of receiving this title was incredible," she said.  

"I was more than excited when I won, because it made me feel that my job was done. Not only do I have the respect of the other delegates in the competition, it made me feel good that they could trust me and knew that I would always be a friend to them while in the competition, as well as outside of the competition."

The friendships Riley made during the experience were invaluable, she said.

"These ladies all had amazing stories, as well as presence, and I was happy that most of them shared stories with me that they may have not told anyone else. They all knew that if they wanted someone to talk to, or to receive advice or just wanted to hang out, that I would, with any one of them," she said. "This title fits me to a T! I love helping others, and making sure everyone feels comfortable around everyone, no matter the situation."

For example, Riley said, one woman needed a friend during the pageant.

"One of the contestants needed a hug, just because, and she came to me because she told me I listened to her and she felt comfortable around me. These types of situations make me feel good that I at least helped one person for the day. I will uphold the Miss Congeniality title forever. Putting others before yourself, remaining humble, and staying positive is the key to success."

Looking ahead, Riley hopes to continue modeling, and to becoming more involved with giving back through her chosen charity "Strength for Life," which is devoted to fighting cancer with exercise.

As she readied for the competition over the past six to seven months, Riley realized with clarity that she wanted to dedicate her life to helping people, and animals.

"It is completely different from modeling; however, I want to be able to help others as much as possible. My turn for the future will be to help with my charity, and hopefully, to get into the health field for animals or humans."