By: Courtney Bearer, BTA Media Specialist, Miss West Virginia 2025
American Heart Month has always meant more to me than wearing red or sharing statistics. It represents the work I’ve done, the loved ones impacted, and the lives I’ve been able to touch through heart health education and advocacy.
My connection to heart health is personal. My mother survived a heart attack at just 41 years old, and three of my grandparents faced serious heart-related complications, including triple bypass surgeries, artificial valves, atrial fibrillation, and the need for a pacemaker. These experiences shaped my understanding early on that heart disease is personal, and it affects families just like mine every day. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in America, which is why this work matters so deeply to me.
My passion for heart health and my personal initiative, Connecting with Cardio, began long before earning the Miss West Virginia title, but this platform allowed my reach to grow. I believe education is the most powerful tool when it is accessible and engaging. I focus on making cardiovascular wellness approachable, especially for children and families. One of the ways I do this is through hula hooping; I was the first hula hooper to perform on the Miss America stage!
What looks fun on the surface carries a deeper message. Movement does not have to be intimidating to be effective. Enjoyable movement and healthy habits can strengthen the heart just as effectively as a structured regimen that people often dread.
During my time as Miss West Virginia, I visited schools, libraries, and community events across the state and beyond, teaching how the heart works, why movement matters, ways to eat healthy, and how everyday choices impact long-term health. Through hula hoop-led gym classes and hands-on activities, I turn heart health into something interactive and exciting rather than overwhelming. While not every visit is centered solely on heart health, it naturally becomes part of every conversation. Finding people where they already are is how meaningful change happens.
American Heart Month also reflects my work alongside the American Heart Association (AHA). I have partnered with AHA on community events, heart screenings, CPR demonstrations, heart walks, and Go Red for Women initiatives, helping raise awareness and funds for heart disease. I also had the honor of writing a published blog with the American Heart Association, sharing my story and advocacy on a national platform.
American Heart Month is a reminder of why this work matters. With nearly half of American adults affected by heart disease, my work as Miss West Virginia allows me to address that reality through classrooms, community events, partnerships, and storytelling across all 55 West Virginia counties.
Today, I am proud to work in an agency that supports healthcare clients who prioritize heart health and overall well-being. The values I carry as Miss West Virginia continue to guide how I show up, advocate, and support organizations dedicated to healthier communities.
American Heart Month is not just a moment on the calendar for me. This mission goes beyond personal experience. It reminds us that real change happens when each of us chooses to turn awareness into action.