Lesha Wincher has a ready smile and speaks with charming alacrity. After graduating from Clear Brook High School in Friendswood in 2012, she entered the University of Houston, where she majored in Human Development and Family Studies. From 2013 to 2017, she was also a Houston Texans cheerleader.
When she graduated with her bachelor鈥檚 degree and completed her time as an NFL cheerleader, Wincher was ready for her next challenge. 鈥淚 thought, 鈥榃hat will I do with all my time now?鈥� I鈥檓 the type of person who likes to be extremely busy,鈥� she said.
She began HBU鈥檚 MSHRM (Master of Science in Human Resources Management) program in the fall of 2017, and started working as an HR manager for a medical billing and coding company. Wincher was drawn to the HR field for the opportunity it presented to help others.
鈥淚 never have a dull day or moment at work,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not a counselor, but you鈥檙e there for your employees.鈥�
Wincher chose HBU鈥檚 graduate program specifically for its high-care, small-group learning environment. 鈥淚 wanted to be in a classroom where I could talk to my professor if I had a question,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or some reason, when I step on the HBU campus, I feel a peace, I feel at home, and all the professors are so accommodating.鈥�
In the midst of her busy schedule, Wincher saw an advertisement for the Miss Houston competition. She had never competed in beauty pageants, but secured a coach and decided to give it a try. In the spring of 2018, she competed among 60 women, many of whom had years of experience in the industry.
鈥淚 thought, 鈥楯ust because they鈥檙e more experienced than you doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 win.鈥� It鈥檚 honestly about having tunnel vision,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 compare yourself to the person to the left or the right of you.鈥�
At the Hilton Post Oak Hotel, Wincher went through an interview panel, swimsuit and evening gown competition, and found herself among the top three finalists. Then came the dreaded interview question that often makes or breaks candidates. Wincher took a risk on a controversial topic by giving a pro-Second Amendment answer. Her self-assurance paid off, and she was crowned 鈥淢iss Houston.鈥�
鈥淢y heart fell to the floor,鈥� she said. Since then, Wincher has served throughout Houston in her role, helping underprivileged Houstonians. 鈥淗ouston is home for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been a lot of places in this country, but I always want to go back home. The people, diversity and culture we have here is unique. We have so much to offer and a lot of other cities don鈥檛 compare.鈥�
Also in 2018, Wincher competed in the Miss Texas competition. Out of 84 women, Wincher was the second runner-up. 鈥淗ere鈥檚 a girl who never thought she could do a pageant,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y takeaway is, if there鈥檚 something that anybody wants to do, just do it. It doesn鈥檛 matter if someone else has done if for six years, eight years 鈥� do what鈥檚 in your heart.鈥�
Taking a mix of on-campus and online classes at HBU, Wincher is advancing her education and receiving benefits in her current job position at the same time. 鈥淚 believe that education is one thing that no one can take away from you,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just wrapped up a course on employment law and we actually had a situation at our office at the same time that related. I told our CEO, 鈥楧on鈥檛 panic.鈥� Everything I鈥檓 learning in my master鈥檚 degree 鈥� from legal issues to employee handbooks and policies 鈥� we鈥檙e using in real life.鈥�
The lessons learned from her time as Miss Houston, and as a student and employee, are profound. 鈥淏e yourself,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople are going to like you for being authentic. You can be any color or any height. Just be you. If you have an idea, voice that idea.鈥�
In the future, Wincher plans to earn a doctorate and become a CEO or company president. 鈥淟ife is short and it鈥檚 not to be taken so seriously. Life is not guaranteed, so live your life in the moment,鈥� she said. 鈥淔aith plays a huge role in my life; it鈥檚 something I live by. 鈥業 can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.鈥� Without that, I am nothing.鈥�