Today we’d like to introduce you to Noelle Schnacky
Hi Noelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 120 babies born in the United States each year has a congenital heart defect (CHD), making it the most common birth defect. To put this into perspective, CHD is 60 times more common than childhood cancer. The American Heart Association reports that due to advancements in medical care, 97% of children born with a congenital heart defect now survive into adulthood, and 70% of those who reach age 18 will live to be 70 years old. However, this increased survival rate has created an urgent need for specialized medical care. In my interview with Congressman Gus Bilirakis, he highlighted the critical shortage of physicians trained to care for adult CHD survivors, a challenge that must be addressed to ensure lifelong care for these patients.
Locally, Give Kids the World Village in Central Florida serves nearly 5,000 critically ill children and their families each year, many of whom are heart warriors battling CHD. My own family has felt the profound impact of this condition—my cousin, Tyler Schnacky, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Despite his incredible strength, Tyler passed away in 2015 at the age of 15, just days after receiving a heart transplant. In his honor, I founded Hope for Heart Kids (www.HopeforKidsFL.com), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families affected by CHD through education, advocacy, and fundraising for critical research and medical needs.
As part of my mission, I have partnered with leading institutions, including the American Heart Association—serving as a Youth Ambassador for Healthy Heart Lifestyles—as well as the University of Florida Congenital Heart Center, Orlando Health’s Arnold and Winnie Palmer Hospitals for Women & Children, AdventHealth, Give Kids the World Village, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Through these collaborations, Hope for Heart Kids is working to spread awareness about congenital heart disease and raise funds for lifesaving research and medical advancements that not only extend the lives of CHD patients but may one day lead to a cure.
Additionally, Hope for Heart Kids provides my children’s congenital heart book collection to hospitals and medical hospitality houses, ensuring that not only children with CHD but also their siblings and families receive a message of strength, resilience, and hope. These books help families navigate the challenges of living with a heart condition while reminding them that they are not alone in their journey.
Through awareness, advocacy, and action, I am committed to ensuring that my generation and future generations prioritize heart health while fighting for better care, stronger support systems, and more breakthroughs in CHD research and treatment.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of my biggest obstacles has been getting in the door with potential partners and sponsors due to my young age. While I am deeply passionate about congenital heart advocacy and have built strong initiatives through Hope for Heart Kids, there were times when I wasn’t immediately taken seriously simply because I am a teenager. Many organizations and decision-makers initially saw my work as a student project rather than a sustainable nonprofit making a real impact.
To overcome this, I had to prove my credibility through action. I focused on professionalism, preparation, and persistence—showing up with clear goals, measurable impact, and a strong mission. I also leveraged my partnerships with established institutions like the American Heart Association, UF Congenital Heart Center, and major children’s hospitals to build trust and demonstrate that Hope for Heart Kids was not just a vision, but a growing force for change.
Another challenge has been securing funding and resources. Since CHD is not as widely recognized as other childhood health conditions, educating the public and inspiring donors to invest in research, medical advancements, and patient support has required creative outreach and advocacy efforts. One way I have addressed this is by structuring many of my fundraising projects around tangible needs in heart units. For example, fundraising for UF Congenital Heart Center has focused on securing baby soothers, specialized rocking chairs for handling premature infants, and other critical items tailored to the needs of families and medical staff. By providing donors with a clear, visible impact, they can see how their contributions directly improve the lives of heart warriors and their families.
While there have been struggles along the way, each challenge has strengthened my resilience and deepened my commitment to this cause. I have learned that age should never define impact, and with persistence, passion, and a clear purpose, it is possible to create meaningful change-sometimes for one child at a time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Faith is the foundation of everything I do. My family’s worship collective, @JWLKRSWorship, was Grammy-nominated this year, and we had the incredible opportunity to attend the awards. I am also heavily involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes FCA at my high school, where I help encourage and support students in their faith journey. I attend Lakeside Church, where my faith continues to grow and strengthen every aspect of my life. Additionally, I regularly appear on the @JWLKRSPodcast and @KeepItReal Podcast, sharing conversations about faith, purpose, and leadership.
Family is at the heart of everything I do. I have been blessed with an incredible support system that encourages me to pursue my passions and use my platform to serve others. My family’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to faith, music, and ministry have shaped my drive to create meaningful impact in the world around me.
As a dual-enrolled senior at Lake Minneola High School and Lake Sumter State College, I strive for academic excellence while balancing multiple responsibilities. I am a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society, recognizing my commitment to leadership and scholastic achievement. I believe that education is a lifelong pursuit, and I am committed to continually expanding my knowledge and skills to better serve others. Since 2022, I have been honored to serve in the Miss America Organization, holding multiple titles that have allowed me to expand my platform and impact. I have had the privilege of representing my communities as 2022 Miss Winter Park’s Teen, 2023 Miss Gainesville’s Teen, 2024 Miss Ocala’s Teen, and most recently, I was crowned 2025 Miss Orlando’s Teen. Through MAO, I have developed my advocacy efforts, honed my leadership and speaking skills, and connected with like-minded individuals who are dedicated to service and scholarship.
I am the founder and president of Hope for Heart Kids, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for children and families affected by congenital heart defects CHD. My work focuses on advocacy, education, and fundraising to drive meaningful change in the CHD community. One of the aspects that sets my work apart is the tangible difference it is making in real time. I have had the privilege of seeing key players in the CHD community begin reaching out to me directly to collaborate, which has shown me firsthand the impact of my efforts.
One of my proudest moments was receiving a proclamation from Alachua County, declaring December 8 as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Awareness Day, in recognition of my work. This honor affirmed the importance of my mission and further fueled my commitment to expanding the reach of Hope for Heart Kids.
A healthy lifestyle is something I am deeply passionate about, and I strive to be a voice for my generation when it comes to understanding the importance of family cardiovascular history and proactive heart health. I created the HEART acronym to give my generation a practical and actionable guide for lifelong heart health.
H – Healthy Habits: Hydrate and Nutrition
Drinking enough water supports circulation, maintains blood pressure, and keeps your heart functioning optimally. Eating heart-healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats while reducing sodium and unhealthy fats promotes lifelong heart health.
E – Exercise Regularly
Engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart disease.
A – Avoid Harmful Habits
This means avoiding smoking, vaping, excessive sugar, and processed foods—all of which contribute to heart problems.
R – Rest and Manage Stress
Getting 7–9 hours of sleep and practicing stress management like deep breathing or mindfulness keeps the heart strong and resilient.
T – Track Your Numbers
Monitor key health metrics like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and heart rate to stay proactive about your heart health.
My passion for movement and wellness extends beyond heart health. I have been a competitive dancer for 15 years at Shooting Stars School of Performing Arts under Miss Melissa Stokes, training in various styles and developing discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic. In addition to dance, I serve as Cheer Captain for my high school’s varsity cheerleading team, where I have had the opportunity to lead, mentor, and inspire my teammates both on and off the sidelines.
Recently, I was honored to be recognized in Style Magazine’s 40 Under 40, highlighting young leaders making an impact in their communities. This recognition serves as a reminder that age does not define influence, and I am committed to using my platform to uplift others, drive meaningful change, and inspire my generation to pursue excellence in all aspects of life.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned along my journey is that age does not define impact. There have been moments when my youth was seen as a barrier, but I have come to realize that God equips those He calls, regardless of their age. Many of the greatest leaders in the Bible were young when they stepped into their purpose. David was a shepherd boy when he was anointed king, Esther was a young girl when she became queen and saved her people, and Jeremiah was called as a prophet in his youth despite his doubts.
This reminds me of 1 Timothy 4 12 which says “let no one despise your youth but be an example to the believers in word in conduct in love in spirit in faith in purity”. I have learned that leadership isn’t about waiting for permission it’s about stepping forward in faith being prepared and using the gifts God has given me to make a difference now.
Through my work with Hope for Heart Kids the Miss America Organization and heart health advocacy I have seen firsthand that when you are passionate persistent and driven by purpose doors will open and others will take notice. This journey has taught me to lead not just in words but in action setting an example for my generation to be bold in their calling and steadfast in their mission.
Pricing:
- You can go to HopeforKidsFl.com under Support Us visit our bookstore and donate a set of our Hope for Heart Kids Children’s CHD books to your local hospital. We are currently in 9 states! Funds raised from books go back into donating books to the next hospital or medical housing charity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.HopeforKidsFL.com
- Instagram: @HopeforHeartKids @MissNoelleSchnacky @MissOrlandosTeenFL @NoelleSchnacky @Noelle_SSDElite
- Facebook: @HopeforHeartKids @MissNoelleSchnacky @MissOrlandosTeenFL @NoelleSchnacky @Noelle_SSDElite
- LinkedIn: @NoelleSchnacky
- Twitter: @Hope4HeartKids
- Youtube: @NoelleSchnacky
- Other: TikTok @NoelleSchnacky
Image Credits
Headshot @CarlosVelezPhotography Others my personal shots
