Page 102 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2020

story by Debbie Anglin photo courtesy of Madden High
Gautier High School’s Madden High
has always loved talking, but he never imagined he’d be speaking in front of his church. Yet, there he stood preaching away, delivering his message in a powerful tone.
The months before this sermon had all built up to this moment. High had been leading a small church service early in the morning for nearly two months and was ready for primetime. His pastor approached him about leading the main Sunday service and he humbly accepted. To this day, High believes this moment set his life into motion, leading him down the path he currently walks.
“Had I not been allowed to lead the church, not only would I not be the leader that I am today, but I wouldn’t be the young man that I am today. There is truly no opportunity that I am more grateful for.” High said. He has many accomplishments under his belt, but he talks about that sermon as though it was the highlight of his life.
This sermon set High down a path of leadership. “There is no more important trait a person can have than that of being a leader, because to be a leader, you must rst lead yourself, and that takes intense self-discipline,” High said.
Voted Mr. Gautier High School, High has been named to the GHS Hall of Fame and as GHS’s Wendy’s Heisman Scholar. As a two-year captain of the football team, he was named a 1st Team All-District O ensive Lineman for two years, and named a 1st Team All-State Long Snapper his senior year. He was also a two-year captain for the golf team (where he helped lead his team to Gautier’s rst-ever district championship) and bowling team (where he led a team to Gautier’s rst-ever district championship and a fourth-place nish in the state tournament).
High scored a 33 on the ACT, is a member of the 30+ Club and is an AP Scholar award winner. A four-year Superintendent’s Honor Roll student, he has served as HOSA president and is a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, Athletes Outreach, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Counselors Advisory, Superintendent’s Advisory and serves as business manager of the Yearbook Committee.
High will attend the University of Chicago where he will major in economics and minor in political scie
102 | April 2020
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nce.
TERRIFIC
PRESENTED BY
MADDEN HIGH
TEEN