How many pageants have you previously competed in?
Multiple pageants over many years! I started out competing for Miss WV Teen USA in 2013. I have competed for the past 7 years now (on and off) between the Miss USA and Miss America systems. My highest placement has been my most recent pageant, Miss FL USA 2020, where I placed 2nd runner up.
What made you decide to compete in Miss Florida USA 2021?
It has been a lifelong dream of mine to represent my home state of Florida on the national stage. This title would give me a microphone to share my message with such a large audience. As Miss FL USA, I would promote women's empowerment and the importance of being involved in and giving back to your community.
Outside of competing in pageants, what do you like to do for fun?
I have enjoyed horseback riding ever since I was a little girl, and I still ride horses at least once a week to this day! Not only is it a good workout, but horses are extremely therapeutic.
Give a brief bio about yourself. Heather Lee O’Keefe is a 23-year-old honors law student, television host, Miss Florida USA delegate, and passionate philanthropist. Heather is in her third and final year at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, as one of the youngest students in her class. Heather is one of only 18 law students accepted into the NSU Law Honors Program.
At NSU Law, Heather is greatly involved as an executive board member of multiple student organizations. She is the President of the Real Property, Probate, & Trust Law Society; Elections Committee Representative for the Student Bar Association; Director of Public Relations for the Transactional Law Practice Group; Director of Social Media for the Sports & Entertainment Law Society; and Lead Associate of LexisNexis on campus.
Heather is a proud alumna of West Virginia University. With a strong commitment to her education, Heather received a full academic scholarship to attend WVU, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, a minor in Political Science, and graduated Cum Laude in May 2018. In addition to graduating with honors, Heather was named the 2018 Outstanding Senior by West Virginia University Reed College of Media, and she made President’s List and/or Dean’s List each semester.
My full bio can be read on my website here: https://blondebarrister.com/.
If you win your state title, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your reign?
I would like to implement and expand the use of therapeutic horseback riding statewide for children and veterans with special needs and disabilities. I am currently a lead volunteer at Bit-By-Bit Therapeutic Medical Riding Center in South Florida, which combines my love for horses with my desire to play a vital role in the wellness of children and veterans.
What is your dream job (besides being Miss USA, of course!)?
With a desire to combine my law degree with my journalism and political science background, my goal is to work as a full-time attorney and obtain a part-time role as a legal commentator for a major news network. Ultimately, my objective is to host my own legal television show. Currently, I work part-time as a legal intern for a Fort Lauderdale law firm and also as a television host for the Lifestyle Network’s "Florida Food Crawl" and "Oceans," which air on South Florida Comcast channels.
Multiple pageants over many years! I started out competing for Miss WV Teen USA in 2013. I have competed for the past 7 years now (on and off) between the Miss USA and Miss America systems. My highest placement has been my most recent pageant, Miss FL USA 2020, where I placed 2nd runner up.
What made you decide to compete in Miss Florida USA 2021?
It has been a lifelong dream of mine to represent my home state of Florida on the national stage. This title would give me a microphone to share my message with such a large audience. As Miss FL USA, I would promote women's empowerment and the importance of being involved in and giving back to your community.
Outside of competing in pageants, what do you like to do for fun?
I have enjoyed horseback riding ever since I was a little girl, and I still ride horses at least once a week to this day! Not only is it a good workout, but horses are extremely therapeutic.
Give a brief bio about yourself. Heather Lee O’Keefe is a 23-year-old honors law student, television host, Miss Florida USA delegate, and passionate philanthropist. Heather is in her third and final year at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, as one of the youngest students in her class. Heather is one of only 18 law students accepted into the NSU Law Honors Program.
At NSU Law, Heather is greatly involved as an executive board member of multiple student organizations. She is the President of the Real Property, Probate, & Trust Law Society; Elections Committee Representative for the Student Bar Association; Director of Public Relations for the Transactional Law Practice Group; Director of Social Media for the Sports & Entertainment Law Society; and Lead Associate of LexisNexis on campus.
Heather is a proud alumna of West Virginia University. With a strong commitment to her education, Heather received a full academic scholarship to attend WVU, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, a minor in Political Science, and graduated Cum Laude in May 2018. In addition to graduating with honors, Heather was named the 2018 Outstanding Senior by West Virginia University Reed College of Media, and she made President’s List and/or Dean’s List each semester.
My full bio can be read on my website here: https://blondebarrister.com/.
If you win your state title, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your reign?
I would like to implement and expand the use of therapeutic horseback riding statewide for children and veterans with special needs and disabilities. I am currently a lead volunteer at Bit-By-Bit Therapeutic Medical Riding Center in South Florida, which combines my love for horses with my desire to play a vital role in the wellness of children and veterans.
What is your dream job (besides being Miss USA, of course!)?
With a desire to combine my law degree with my journalism and political science background, my goal is to work as a full-time attorney and obtain a part-time role as a legal commentator for a major news network. Ultimately, my objective is to host my own legal television show. Currently, I work part-time as a legal intern for a Fort Lauderdale law firm and also as a television host for the Lifestyle Network’s "Florida Food Crawl" and "Oceans," which air on South Florida Comcast channels.