Meet Miss Macon Elise Higgins: Platform, goals and future plans

Elise Higgins shares her journey, platform and what’s next after being crowned Miss Macon.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Newly crowned Miss Macon Elise Higgins is using her title to advocate for mental health resources for student-athletes and representation for female athletes.

Higgins, a Columbus native and graduate of Columbus State University, moved to Macon in January to serve as the Head Competitive Cheer Coach at Wesleyan College.

She said her experience as a competitive cheerleader helped inspire her community service initiative, “Let’s Talk About It: The Women Behind the Sport.”

“I advocate for mental health resources for student athletes and representation for female athletes,” Higgins said.

Higgins said she experienced verbal and psychological abuse from her coach while she was a collegiate cheerleader. She said that experience influenced her decision to become a coach herself.

“I started coaching because I want to be that coach that I didn’t have in college,” Higgins said. “I want to show my girls that you can have a loving and caring coach and you can still go after your dreams of hopefully winning a national championship.”

Higgins also encouraged young athletes experiencing difficult situations to use their voices and speak up.

“Use your voice and never be afraid to speak up for positive change,” Higgins said.

As Miss Macon, Higgins said she is looking forward to representing the city while preparing to compete for Miss Georgia.

Higgins said she has competed in the Miss Georgia organization for 15 years and credits the organization with helping her develop skills and pursue her education. She said scholarship money she received through the organization helped her earn an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree. She is now pursuing a second master’s degree.

Higgins said she is excited to use her new role to serve the Macon community.

“This community has given me so much over the last year,” Higgins said. “So I’m really excited to have the opportunity to champion the people in the city as Miss Macon and do some good work in the city.”