Respect is the foundation of peace within our community and our world. Nothing guides our morals and actions more. Respect for our faith, for our elders, for fellow residents, and respect for our parents — just to name a few — reveals much about a person’s character.
Within a few minutes of meeting Malliccaaii Green, it was obvious his life is focused on respectful behavior. We honor Malliccaaii Green as our Southern Indiana Extra Miler this month.
Malliccaaii is the kind of young man any parent would be proud to have as a son. This fact is derived from the respect he has for his single-parent mother, Ramada Green. When asked about his motivation to be an Extra Miler in life, Malliccaaii didn’t hesitate to respond, “It is important to me to make my mother happy.” He sincerely adds, “My mother is my inspiration — she is an exceptionally special person who means everything to me.”
When interviewed, Ms. Green was quick to turn the focus back to her son’s own self-determination and desire to influence others in a positive manner. A single parent raising two children, Ms. Green wanted to be sure her children realized there were consequences to everything in life. She wanted them to understand their roots and how to be considerate of others.
“I tell my children that life isn’t easy, but making good choices can give them a brighter future,” explains Ms. Green.
Malliccaaii is a busy Jeffersonville High School junior who maintains a 3.3 grade-point average. He is actively involved as staff in ROTC and received the 2009 National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Bronze Medal. He works part-time with children at the YMCA and also donates his time as a volunteer at the Louisville Science Center.
Malliccaaii is active in the Jeffersonville High School Art Club and has won the county Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. poster contest three years in a row. In addition to other awards, Malliccaaii recently won the prestigious Golden Key National Scholastic Art Award and a scholarship to attend the University of Louisville visual arts class.
Dawn Struck, a Jeffersonville High School art teacher and Art Club sponsor, explains that Malliccaaii is the kind of person to answer the call for help, no matter what that call entails. She clarifies, “Malliccaaii is always willing to step up to give his time and talents, and he always does so with enthusiasm.”
Struck walked to the back of the room and carefully picked up a large painting. As she brought the painting to the table, she said, “This young man is extremely talented — he is a classic Renaissance man.” With that, she gently pulled back the cover to reveal Malliccaaii’s brilliantly detailed, complex and powerful work of art. As I momentarily became lost in the beauty of the painting, Struck’s obvious pride in her student was revealed as she said, “You could not have selected a better person than Malliccaaii Green as an Extra Miler.”
Malliccaaii recently received the Greater Clark County Schools Merit Award and is held in the highest regard by Jeffersonville High School Principal Steve Morris. He stated, “Malliccaaii puts service above self — he is a classic servant leader exemplifying what we want to see in all of our students.”
In addition to his many activities, Malliccaaii also serves as a big brother for the Big Brothers Big Sisters charitable organization. His little brother is a 12-year-old named Marques. When asked what sparks of wisdom he would like to pass on to his little brother, Malliccaaii responded, “Marques is very smart — I want him to be a good person who makes good choices in life.” He adds, “I want Marques to understand that he can be a responsible person and still have fun.”
Ramada Green didn’t set out to raise an overachiever. Her intent was simply to raise Malliccaaii to be a respectful and caring young man. Malliccaaii Green’s life illustrates how blending love and respect will naturally lead to success.
Thank you, Malliccaaii, for being an outstanding citizen and an Extra Miler for Southern Indiana.
KINDNESS TIP OF THE MONTH
Malliccaaii encourages youth to always set their sights on being above average — believing everyone has the potential to become successful. He cautions that children need to learn leadership skills at an early age, setting their own destiny instead of becoming followers.
Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and owner of EEO GUIDANCE Inc. If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an Extra Miler, please contact her. To submit an Extra Miler, a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via e-mail: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com; or mail: THE EXTRA MILERS, The Evening News, 221 Spring St. Jeffersonville, IN 47130-3340.
Extra Milers
Related Photos
Discussion
EXTRA MILER: Malliccaaii Green exemplifies qualities of Extra Miler
- Extra Milers
-
-
EXTRA MILER: Someone who cares a lot
Waiting backstage to surprise our Extra Miler, John Templeton (Cat in the Hat) and Ellie Delap (Gertrude) were feeling a bit nostalgic. Both are seniors at Jeffersonville High School and this was to be their final high school performance. Standing just behind them, Donna VanHook, our Extra Miler, was doing what she has done best for at least 9 years. She is tugging on a costume and pinning it in just the right places so that it fits properly.
-
The Extra Milers: Teaching by example
-
EXTRA MILER: The courage to say yes
-
EXTRA MILER: Sisters of the Heart
Both girls have been involved in volunteer activities for several years. Amber serves on the student council of her school and has volunteered several times in soup kitchens. Sophia loves to dance and has entertained in nursing homes on several occasions.
-
EXTRA MILER: Overcoming fear by facing it head-on
As a young girl, I was reluctant to learn how to ride a bicycle. I was torn between wanting the wind in my hair as I hit the open road with friends and the fear of falling with a splat to the pavement. My father quickly tired of the excuses and one day sat me on the bicycle and pushed the bike forward. I fell hard and as my windblown vision seemed to be shattered, my father said, “Get right back up on that horse and ride again … it will be easier this time.” He was right.
-
EXTRA MILER: A call to duty
I was talking recently with Mark Eddy, executive director for Leadership Southern Indiana, when the conversation turned to this column. Mark said he knew of a church full of Extra Milers. The church is the Northside Church of Christ in Jeffersonville and specifically, he mentioned two individuals he felt met and exceeded the standards set for Extra Milers. He named Michael Kidwell and Gale Dunlap.
-
Harkins has touched thousands with her generosity, concern for others
I am blessed with many best friends who have influenced my life; however, there has been one person who has influenced me the most and is the inspiration behind this column. Everything I know about loving my neighbor, I learned from Barbara Long Harkins (Barbie) … and she continues to provide inspiration to all who know her.
-
EXTRA MILER: Coloring Our World
Creative people tend to bring full color to an otherwise monochrome world. Our July Extra Miler, George Ellis, turns life’s dull and numbing neutrals into vibrant and joyful colors.
-
EXTRA MILER: Bringing Respect into our Schools
An enforcement officer recently spoke with me after sitting through a workplace harassment workshop. He spoke of his part-time job duties as a security officer at a local middle school and expressed a great concern for children who do not seem to fit in with the majority students. The officer said, “Every day I see cruel and hateful harassment from many of the students and my job is to step in if they become violent.”
-
EXTRA MILER: Be part of Southern Indiana’s week of kindness
Julie Schwerer, executive director of the Bliss House in Jeffersonville, is a bundle of energy with a contagious spirit. She can speak at warp speed when truly excited and last week she may have broken through the sound barrier as she spoke of an anonymous donation to the Bliss House.
- More Extra Milers Headlines
-
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
