Kirkville resident and East Syracuse Minoa graduate Nina Zesky said she never thought she would be the type of person who would be involved in pageants — but that all changed during her senior year of high school in 2014 when her dance teacher shared a link with information about an upcoming scholarship pageant. And competing in pageants was something Zesky found she was good at. Since the initial interest, Zesky has been crowned in two pageants — Miss Salt City in 2014 and Miss Heart of New York in 2015. To add to that list of accomplishments, Zesky recently took second runner-up in the Miss New York Pageant in early June. And in September, Zesky will compete in the National Sweetheart competition. “I couldn’t believe when they called my name — I was just in shock,” said Miss Heart of New York Nina Zesky, when asked how she felt being named second runner-up in the Miss New York Pageant. “I honestly wasn’t expecting to make it into the top ten — let alone the top five.” In addition to the scholarship money that is given to winners of these competitions, Zesky said she has gained several other lessons, such as learning the importance of giving back to the community and learning how to feel empowered and inspire others to feel the same. Zesky said she competes with her glasses on, something that is not very common in the Miss New York scholarship pageants, because of a neurological condition she has called convergence insufficiency. This disorder makes it difficult for her to focus on objects and she is not able to wear contacts. But having the experience to overcome this hurdle is something Zesky hopes she can inspire in younger generations. “At first I was self-conscious about competing in me glasses, but then I realized that I need them to see,” said Zesky. “I realized that I had to make my own decisions because I was most knowledgeable about what is best for myself and I had to learn how to trust myself.” Since being crowned Miss Heart of New York in March, Zesky has visited a several schools to talk about the issue of school safety and security — which is part of her platform — with her “You Be the Hero” presentations. Both of Zesky’s parents are retired Manlius Police officers, so it is a topic she said she has grown up with. “My theory is that is if we can’t protect our kids, then we can’t educate them properly… It’s not a topic many are comfortable talking about,” said Zesky. “It’s really cool to get kids interested in a topic like this … To encourage kids in their confidence and teach them to be their own superhero and say something if they think something is wrong is important.” Zesky is an accomplished gymnast and dancer, and just completed her freshman year at college studying to become an architect. In addition to safety and security, Zesky also hopes to encourage young students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related careers. Over the next few months, Zesky said she will be giving speeches about safety and STEM careers, preparing for the National Sweetheart competition in September, preparing to transfer from SUNY Delhi to SUNY Buffalo, where she will continue to major in architecture, and work as a janitor in her former high school to make some extra money for the upcoming school year. The experience and the reward of making a difference in so many students’ lives is something Zesky said she has been most grateful for in her experience in the Miss New York scholarship competitions. “The most important thing I’ve learned through this is to not hold myself back and let myself be as amazing as I can be. I’ve really learned to open my horizons,” said Zesky. To learn more about Miss Heart of New York Nina Zesky, like her facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Miss-Heart-Of-New-York-2015. Hayleigh Gowans is a reporter for the Eagle Bulletin. She can be reached at [email protected].