Miss Sugar Hill, Heather Nunez, was crowned Miss New York USA 2022 in a competition held Friday, June 4 at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls.
“I am representing survivors of domestic violence, all the hard work I’ve accomplished was for you. So that you can see me and feel hope. We aren’t afraid to use our voice and we aren’t victims. We are survivors,” she shared on social media before the competition.
Who is Heather Nunez?
Dominican-American Heather Nunez, age 26, was born and raised in New York. She spent every year visiting her family while growing up travelling back and forth between the US and the Dominican Republic. She was made to move to Sugar Hill to live with her grandma when she was nine years old since her father had been deported back. She lived there with her grandmother, her single mother, and a sister in a modest two-bedroom apartment while the family battled to make ends meet.
From an early age, Heather experienced domestic abuse, which haunted her long after she left her home. Heather entered an abusive relationship at the age of 15, which she endured for more than three years. Heather struggled mightily during the relationship to reclaim her independence, but in vain. The Miss New York 2022 approached law enforcement after several failed attempts to bring herself to safety. They helped Heather escape her abuser’s control and move on with her life, putting an end to the years of suffering she had endured.
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In order to assist other victims of domestic violence, Heather decided to major in criminal justice. At the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, she completed her studies, earning a Bachelor of Science with honours in Criminal Justice and a minor in Cyber Crime. After learning that many of her friends and relatives had experienced same tragedy, Heather determined to stand up for those who are reluctant to do so. The beauty queen also received training in CPR and karate, and her long-term goal is to work for the FBI. She expected to use the Miss New York USA pageant as a platform to tell her story when she signed up to compete. Catch Heather in the Miss USA 2022 finale, which will air the following Monday.
When will Miss USA 2022 premiere?
Miss USA 2022 is all set to premiere on Monday, October 3, 2022, at 8 pm ET and 5 pm PT.
Read More: How to watch the Miss USA 2022 pageant, Livestreaming and Venue
