Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Justin Hunter
Carbon Hill High School sophomore Mia Henslee recently stood before an audience of 300 distinguished guests at the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year celebration, held at The Club in Birmingham, speaking about resilience, opportunity, and the lessons passed down from her mother.
Mia’s speech, titled Broken English, earned her first runner-up in the event’s speech competition, along with a $5,000 scholarship. The speech was inspired by Mia’s mother, Liney Ravelo, who immigrated from Medellín, Colombia, and built a life for her family in Alabama.
Throughout her childhood, Mia often heard her mother say, “If I can be successful with my broken English, then you can go even further.” That message, combined with Mia’s reflections on her experience volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club, struck a chord with the audience.
“I think they were really engaged,” Mia says. “One person even told me I should be a lawyer, and Rick Karle told me I should be a senator.”
Despite competing against seniors with more experience, Mia never let nerves or doubt get the best of her. She focused on preparation, typing and retyping her speech until she had memorized every word.
Beyond her public speaking abilities, Mia’s involvement with the Boys and Girls Club has shaped her leadership skills. A member for four years, she transitioned from being a camper to a volunteer last summer, assisting younger children with activities and daily routines. That experience, she said, taught her the power of leading by example.
Her success at the Youth of the Year competition is also a moment of pride for Carbon Hill High School and the local community. In addition to her dedication to academics, she participates in volleyball, Key Club, Beta Club, HOSA, and the National Society of High School Scholars, all while taking health science courses at the Walker County Center of Technology.
The Youth of the Year program, which recognizes students for leadership, service, and academic excellence, allows competitors to return annually, and Mia plans to do just that.
“This experience gave me more confidence,” she says. “At first, I had to fake my confidence, but over time, it became real, and I want to pass that on to the kids I help at Boys and Girls Club.”
With that mindset, there’s no telling how far Mia Henslee will go. WL
