Inspired to aspire ... 'don't be afraid to try'

Photo:

Malaki Pottle

NORWAY — Sometimes, it is in the small conversations we have in life that we find wisdom.

Let me tell you about Malaki Pottle, a unique name for a pretty unique young man. It is a name you should remember; I know that I will. I had the chance to speak with Malaki the other day when I was at the Rowe Elementary School.

It doesn’t take long to realize that Malaki is mature beyond his 10 years. He is articulate, funny and has tremendous perspective about his own life and the lives of others. Malaki faces a type of challenge that most of us do not.

Malaki has Cerebral Palsy. So navigating the hallways and playground is a little more difficult for him than for many other kids at Rowe School.

But he doesn’t see it that way. “Even when I am being outrun, I can usually out think them instead,” Malaki quipped. When a door closes, a window opens.

This month throughout the district, we are emphasizing raising student aspirations and the importance of post-secondary opportunities.

For some of our students just mustering the effort to get to school each day is an aspiration in and of itself, but not for Malaki. He has some impressive plans.

“College is definitely in my future. Actually, I think Yale would be great," he says. 

Malaki is interested in computers and video game design, but he doesn’t want you to mistake him for a couch potato; he spends most of his time trying to figure out how they work.

He predicts he will need to study programming, electricity and other technology-related courses.

“I’m only 10. Classes will probably be a lot different in 10 more years.”

“With all the stuff I do, you would think that my CP matters, but it doesn’t. You use your advantages when you can; sometimes it gets you ahead and other times it just gets you to where everybody else is.”

As the events and conversations this month revolve around goal setting, raising awareness and challenging students to aspire higher, I think Malaki provides some sound advice: 

“If you are limited by something, don’t let it hold you back… do all the things you can and don’t be afraid to try, or else you won’t reach the heights that you can reach.”

One of the things that I was reminded of as I finished our conversation is the word "aspire" is very closely related to the word "inspire." Thanks, Malaki.