Kids Who Care - Malcolm Magee
by Susan Marquez
|
Malcolm Magee takes his position as manager of the Pelahatchie High School basketball team very seriously. “There is a lot to do, every day,” he says. “I get the balls and other equipment together and packed for travel to make sure the water and towels and everything else is good to go, as well as help the coaches any way I can. I let them know if there is a problem with a player and other things. It’s an important job, and I love doing it.” Malcolm, a senior at Pelahatchie High, has been the manager of the basketball team for two years and he’s also been the football team manager for three years. He loves sports of any kind, although he has never been able to play.
Malcolm has had many challenges to overcome since birth. “I had a stroke when I was a baby,” he says. He also had a twin sister who died at birth. Issues with his legs have resulted in numerous surgeries over the years. At times he has been unable to walk for months at a time, but his attitude and motivation have kept him going, all while he motivates others. “I have known Malcolm for three years,” says Leslie Hebert, Malcolm’s English teacher. “His surgeries have been brutal on him, yet he has always been a leader of his peers and in his community. He takes his position as team manager with all seriousness, including teaching the younger athletes the ins and outs of the requirements of being a football manager.” A resident of the Kone Hill community near Pelahatchie, Malcolm says he is surrounded with a strong support system of family, friends, and neighbors. “Pelahatchie has been a great place to grow up, and the people here have been present for me in my time of need.” Malcolm’s grandmother taught school in the area. “I was really close to her. She passed away in 2018.” Last year Malcolm had extensive surgery on his knee and rods were placed in his ankle. “Then Covid struck,” he sighs. In November 2020, both his mother and his grandfather passed away from the virus. Now Malcolm and his sister, who is in the tenth grade, are in the care of their aunt and uncles. His relatives stepped up to take care of the Magee kids in their childhood home, allowing them to remain in the school and community where they have been their entire life. Malcolm says he appreciates all who have supported him, and he loves to give back any way he can, through service. “Although his world has been in turmoil from the losses he has endured, he has persevered and is on track to graduate,” says Leslie Hebert. “He is always giving back to his peers, teachers, school and community. He is an amazing young man who deserves recognition.” Each Sunday, Malcolm sings in the choir at two separate churches. “I put a lot of time into that,” he says. “I really enjoy singing.” He plans on attending college, although he has not made a decision on where he’d like to study just yet. “I would like to be a coach someday, so I’d like to look into that. But if coaching doesn’t work out, I am thinking about going into mortuary sciences. After my mother and grandfather died last year, I talked with some people who work in funeral homes, and I think that would be a nice way to help people.” |
Rankin January 2022 |