Millicent Branflick Earns Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
October 08, 2026 | Women's Sailing
“It taught me to be independent, push myself outside my comfort zone and create opportunities for myself.”
TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2026) – South Florida women's sailing freshman Millicent "Milly" Branflick was honored at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., where she received the Gold Award, the highest level of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, from His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh.
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a globally recognized youth development program that encourages young people to challenge themselves through volunteering, physical activity, skills development and adventurous journeys. The Gold Award is the highest level of the program and is earned through a significant commitment to personal growth, leadership, service and adventure.
Branflick began her award journey while in high school. Sailing has played an important role in her personal development. As she worked toward her Gold Award, she committed to mastering sailing, a pursuit that carried her from beginner to competitor on the South Florida Sailing Team. Her experiences included adventurous journeys trekking in the Himalayas along with sailing and racing with fellow Duke of Edinburgh Award participants throughout the United Kingdom. She also studied sign language, completed more than 150 hours of community service at her local library and took on a variety of leadership roles at her high school.
Branflick was invited to speak at the Gold Award ceremony as part of the Gold Award Recipients' Remarks, giving her the opportunity to share her experience and reflect on the impact the program has had on her journey.
When asked about this tremendous accomplishment, Branflick said, "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award has taught me to be independent, push myself outside my comfort zone and create opportunities for myself while building skills and experiences that will stay with me beyond the award."
The achievement represents the culmination of several years of commitment, personal growth, service and adventure, qualities that continue to shape Millicent both on and off the water as she begins her collegiate sailing career with the Bulls.
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About USF Sailing
The USF sailing program won a SAISA conference championship in 2025 and has reached the national finals in 13 of the last 14 years. The Bulls finished in the top 10 during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The sailing team, which has won eight SAISA conference titles, was formed in 1997 and is based out of St. Petersburg. The program has been led since 2004 by head coach Allison Jolly. One of the most successful women in U.S. national sailing history, Jolly is a former USA Olympian and Gold Medalist (1988), a 2016 Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductee, and a 2019 U.S. National Sailing Hall of Fame inductee.
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