46 • JANUARY 2022
KIDS WHO CAREMalcolm MageeSusanMarquezMalcolm Magee takes his position as managerof the Pelahatchie High School basketball teamvery seriously. “There is a lot to do, every day,”he says. “I get the balls and other equipmenttogether and packed for travel to make sure thewater and towels and everything else is good togo, as well as help the coaches any way I can. Ilet them know if there is a problem with a playerand other things. It’s an important job, and Ilove doing it.” Malcolm, a senior at PelahatchieHigh, has been the manager of the basketballteam for two years and he’s also been the footballteam manager for three years. He loves sports ofany kind, although he has never been able to play.Malcolm has had many challenges toovercome since birth. “I had a stroke when I wasa baby,” he says. He also had a twin sister whodied at birth. Issues with his legs have resultedin numerous surgeries over the years. At timeshe has been unable to walk for months at a time,but his attitude and motivation have kept himgoing, all while he motivates others. “I haveknown Malcolm for three years,” says LeslieHebert, Malcolm’s English teacher. “His surgerieshave been brutal on him, yet he has always beena leader of his peers and in his community. Hetakes his position as team manager with allseriousness, including teaching the youngerathletes the ins and outs of the requirements ofbeing a football manager.”A resident of the Kone Hill community nearPelahatchie, Malcolm says he is surrounded witha strong support system of family, friends, andneighbors. “Pelahatchie has been a great place togrow up, and the people here have been presentfor me in my time of need.” Malcolm’s grandmothertaught school in the area. “I was reallyclose to her. She passed away in 2018.”Last year Malcolm had extensive surgeryon his knee and rods were placed in his ankle.“Then Covid struck,” he sighs. In November2020, both his mother and his grandfatherpassed away from the virus. Now Malcolm andhis sister, who is in the tenth grade, are in thecare of their aunt and uncles. His relativesstepped up to take care of the Magee kids intheir childhood home, allowing them to remainin the school and community where they havebeen their entire life.Malcolm says he appreciates all who havesupported him, and he loves to give back anyway he can, through service. “Although hisworld has been in turmoil from the losses hehas endured, he has persevered and is on trackto graduate,” says Leslie Hebert. “He is alwaysgiving back to his peers, teachers, school andcommunity. He is an amazing young man whodeserves recognition.”Each Sunday, Malcolm sings in the choir attwo separate churches. “I put a lot of time intothat,” he says. “I really enjoy singing.” He planson attending college, although he has not madea decision on where he’d like to study just yet.“I would like to be a coach someday, so I’d liketo look into that. But if coaching doesn’t workout, I am thinking about going into mortuarysciences. After my mother and grandfather diedlast year, I talked with some people who work infuneral homes, and I think that would be a niceway to help people.”Hometown RANKIN • 47