Each month, Coast Monthly visits with some of the most charming people on the Texas Coast to chat about their style.

In 2017, Susan Hefner took a leap of faith and entered a beauty contest. Since then, she has won five titles, the most recent being Ms. United America, which is affiliated with the United America Pageant program that honors women who successfully balance education, career, family life and volunteerism with grace and beauty.

Hefner also has participated in the Galveston Island Beach Revue, an old-fashioned contest featuring bathing beauties, for the past three years. Yet the titles this Seabrook resident relishes most are Gigi, Mummy and Big Momma — endearing terms coined by her grandchildren and grown children.

After spending 24 years as a military wife and living all over the United States, Hefner is enjoying civilian life, teaching math and making long-term friends, especially those she’s met at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook.

Her fashion style is beachy and nautical for daytime and dressy at night.

“As fall approaches, I’ll be wearing boots — love Tory Burch and Anne Klein,” she said.

Here are a few of her favorite things:

Grandchildren: These are my five grandchildren: Taylor, 3; Travis, 1; Olivia, 1; and Brooklynn and Hanna, 3 months. When I was young, I played house and had dolls, and I always knew I wanted to have a family.

Crown: This is my Ms. United America crown 2018-19. I had a wonderful team of supportive people who helped me grow and encouraged me to do this.

Ring: This ruby and diamond ring belonged to my grandmother, but the main reason it’s so special to me is because I was with her when she bought this ring. I was just 8 years old.

Dress: Calvin Klein dresses are my go-to fashions when I want to look professional. They have such a classic style. This red, pleated one is a favorite of mine, because red is a power color and it makes me feel strong.

Heels: Lucho is my favorite shoe brand. This gorgeous design — black and white stripes with gold heels — make them perfect for formal occasions and special events.

Vases: These belonged to my mother. I love the hand-painted palm trees on them and I especially love filling them with shells collected from our travels. Whenever I look at the vases, I think of her.

Award: This is my President’s Volunteer Service award that I received for documenting 500 volunteer hours for the last couple of years. The President of the United States has to approve these awards, so I am very proud of this.

Lakewood Yacht Club: Living the military life, we met friends who were always moving away, or we were always moving away. I really appreciate the friendships I’ve developed at Lakewood Yacht Club as they have become permanent friends and are like family. We love the staff as well.