Higgins represents North Carolina in the 2024 Youth of the Year Competition
When Briana Higgins was seven years old, she simply wanted one thing – to hang out with her older sisters in the teen room, which was exclusive to Club members 13 and up. Now, at 16, she hardly uses that room and instead spends time with the younger Club members, teaching them to be productive, caring and responsible citizens. A trait that helped her win the 2024 North Carolina Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year.
“Winning the state title is truly a blessing and a surreal feeling. I’m so blessed to have this opportunity,” says Higgins.
The teen has attended the Belmont Avenue Boys & Girls Club for nine years. A junior at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, Higgins is a member of her school’s jazz, symphonic, and concert bands. She is also an athlete, running indoor track and field and playing flag football. In addition, Higgins coaches at a gymnastic academy in Huntersville, North Carolina, teaching children ages 4-12.
“She’s a hard worker,” says Latonya Marble, Belmont Avenue Boys & Girls Club Youth Development Lead. “She’s very determined, driven and persistent. She never stops moving; that’s just who she is as a person.”
Marble has been Higgins' mentor since she started attending the Club.
“She taught me how to make friends,” says Higgins. “She was always there when I needed her, and she’s taught me a lot of things that I still use today.”
Marble wasn’t the only one who had an impact. Higgins refers to her older sisters as guides throughout her time at the Club.
“They were a solid ground for me, and they helped me through every aspect of the Club,” she says—especially her sister, Jasmine Higgins, who was the 2023 Youth of the Year for Greater Charlotte.
“I’m glad I learned from my sister,” says Higgins. “She gave me tips and tricks on how to present myself and what to expect from the competition.”
After graduation, Higgins wants to attend college and pursue her dream of becoming a neonatal nurse and opening her own birthing facility. To achieve that goal, she’s attending an eight-day medical conference at UCLA in July.
“I’m going to learn basic skills that nurses do every single day,” she says. “Dissections, anatomy, birthing – there are so many amazing aspects of that program. I’m just honored to be accepted into it.”
“She’s setting an example for Club kids, and that’s to keep pushing,” says Marble. “Always look towards the future. Don’t get discouraged because one door closes, another one will always open.”
Higgins will represent her home state at the Youth of the Year regionals. Because she won Youth of the Year for Greater Charlotte, upon graduation, she will receive a $10,000 scholarship from The Salvation Army’s Women Auxiliary.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity to keep going in my sister’s footsteps and make my family proud, as well as the Belmont Avenue Boys & Girls Club,” Higgins says.