Elise Higgins Crowned Miss Macon 2026

The Wesleyan College coach won the title and now plans to compete for Miss Georgia.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Gymnastics

Bold vector editorial illustration of a coach's whistle and sneakers on a wooden bench, representing athletic leadership and wellness advocacy. — Elise Higgins, head competitive cheer coach at Wesleyan College, was crowned Miss Macon 2026 and plans to compete for the state title. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe collegiate sports programs provide sufficient mental health support for student-athletes?

Elise Higgins has been crowned Miss Macon for 2026. The new titleholder uses her platform to advocate for female athlete representation and mental health resources for student-athletes.

Why it matters

Higgins leverages her role to foster positive experiences for young athletes, drawing on her own collegiate background to address gaps in the support systems she encountered while competing in college.

Higgins has maintained a 15-year tenure participating in the Miss Georgia organization. She funded both her undergraduate and master's degree education through scholarship money awarded by the organization.

The players

Elise Higgins

She is the current Miss Macon and serves as the Head Competitive Cheer Coach at Wesleyan College.

Wesleyan College

This is a private liberal arts college located in Macon, Georgia, where Higgins leads the competitive cheer program.

Miss Georgia organization

This is a state-level scholarship competition that provides educational funding and development opportunities for female participants.

The details

Currently serving as the Head Competitive Cheer Coach at Wesleyan College, Higgins initiated a project titled Let's Talk About It: The Women Behind the Sport. She moved to the city in January 2026 and is currently working toward a second master's degree.

Higgins moved to Macon in January 2026.
Higgins was crowned Miss Macon in 2026.

Season Trajectory

This title win positions Higgins as a key advocate within the collegiate athletics landscape. Her transition from competitor to coach reflects a broader trend of athletes prioritizing systemic support for mental health and well-being in sports.

Higgins now advances to the state competition, shifting the focus of her advocacy to a larger platform. Her work provides a concrete example of how student-athletes can utilize collegiate resources to build careers in professional coaching and mental health advocacy.

The takeaway

Higgins demonstrates how personal athletic challenges can be transformed into professional leadership and community advocacy. Her journey from student-athlete to coach serves as a model for utilizing scholarship programs to achieve long-term educational and career goals.