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Mali Richardson

995

Bold Points

3x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I was lucky to grow up in a diverse family and community. My cultural heritage is Latino and European. My friends at school joke that I am “spicy white.” My light-skinned appearance gives me a unique perspective, where it affords me unfair privileges while also understanding multiple complexities and perspectives of the world. I believe this has helped me contribute to my high school’s community and without a doubt will carry on into everything I do. Last year, I ran for, and won, the position of Vice President of the National Honor Society. My platform was to help the primarily white organization address the discrepancy of its membership from the rest of our diverse student body. I also started a community-based podcast hosted by the Spanish American Civic Association, engaging students to share equity-based issues affecting youth. The podcast allows multiple people to have a platform and lead social change. I believe that advocating in a way that inspires others to lead is powerful. On a more personal note, every day I combat the ignorance my transgender brother has been facing for years, from meeting with school administration to correcting pronoun usage. Seeing my brother feel comfortable being himself is proof of how acceptance and responsiveness can change someone’s life. In my future education, I will bring a dual perspective, of someone who appears of the majority (white and cisgender) but can identify implicit bias and be sensitive to diversity issues.

Education

JP McCaskey High School

High School
2019 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Computer Science
    • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Air Transportation
    • Biochemical Engineering
    • Chemistry
    • Biotechnology
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Airlines/Aviation

    • Dream career goals:

      pilot

      Sports

      Wrestling

      Varsity
      Present

      Awards

      • 6th place at Pennsylvania State Wrestling Championships (Folksytle, 155lbs) 3rd place at Regional Wrestling Championship (Folkstyle, 155lbs) Competed on Pennsylvania’s Junior Duals National Team, Tulsa Oklahoma (Freestyle, 164lbs) Qualified for US Marine Corps Junior & 16U Nationals, Fargo, ND (Freestyle) 2nd place at PAUSA Regional Tournament, Atlantic City, NJ (Freestyle) 2nd place at PAUSA Regionals Tournament, Atlantic City, NJ (Greco-Roman) Qualified for PAUSA State Championships, Reading, PA (Freestyle) 1st place at Pottsville PAUSA Qualifier (Freestyle, 160lbs) 1st place at Spring Grove PAUSA Qualifier (Greco-Roman, 160lbs) 1st place at Lancaster-Lebanon Wrestling League Tournament (Folkstyle, 155lbs) 2nd place at Easton High School Wrestling Tournament (Folkstyle, 149lbs) 2nd place at Franklin & Marshall College Wrestling Tournament (Folkstyle, 150-160lbs) 3rd place at Penn Manor Wrestling Tournament (Folkstyle, 155lbs)

      Public services

      • Advocacy

        Wrestle Like A Girl Congressional Caucus — Selected by the CEO of Wrestle Like a Girl, I represented Pennsylvania along with fifteen other unsanctioned states to speak with legislators on Capitol Hill about sanctioning the sport and providing equitable opportunities to female athletes.
        Present
      • Volunteering

        Spanish American Civil Association — Podcast developer
        Present

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Volunteering

      Frederick J. Salone Memorial Scholarship
      Winner
      Right now to be a female wrestler is special, especially in Pennsylvania, which just recently sanctioned female wrestling as a high school sport. And it is even more exciting to represent McCaskey as the first female high school team in Pennsylvania. Along with being a state medalist and a regional medalist in three different styles of wrestling, I am also an advocate. Invited to participate in the Wrestle Like A Girl Congressional Caucus, I represented Pennsylvania by speaking with legislators on Capitol Hill about sanctioning the sport and providing equitable opportunities to female athletes. This past February I was invited to Harrisburg Capitol to attend a press conference where Senator Scott Martin congratulated Pennsylvania high schools for meeting PIAA’s sanctioning requirements of 100 teams. Getting to meet and talk to Senator Martin and Bob Lombardi, the executive director of PIAA, about the opportunities this sport provides to women was unforgettable. This past summer, I was given an incredible opportunity by being selected to compete on two national wrestling teams. My first tournament was in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My last match of the first day was a battle that ended in a completely torn UCL, LUCL, and fracture. After the trainer relocated my elbow, I stood up and expected to finish my match. Instead, I was escorted to the trainer’s booth as I watched my opponent's hand go up in the air for injury default. I ended up having to get a complicated, seven-hour surgery that threatened my wrestling career. Even though this is a large setback--this injury has revealed to me how much I value wrestling. I remained active on McCaskey’s wrestling team as team captain, assisting in exercises and drills. I helped Coach and stuck with my teammates the entire season. Even after the uncertainty of possibly losing motion in my arm and understanding the timeline of the recovery, giving up on my goal of wrestling collegiately never crossed my mind. My goal of attending the Coast Guard Academy became threatened too. I was also the only person who could decide whether this injury was going to be life-altering and change my future goals and plans. I worked so hard at being competitive physically and academically for so long, and despite this setback, I decided I was not going to compromise on my goals now. I had a team of people who helped me through this process in different ways; however, I primarily turned to myself, for I was the only person truly accountable for my progress. It was up to me to properly care for my elbow after surgery. It was up to me to work harder in the classes I missed for physical therapy. I created an ‘Independent Fitness Class’ with my guidance counselor to grant me access to the fitness center during school day to continue to train. I devoted myself to my recovery. By religiously attending appointments and prioritizing my exercises, I have been able to gain full strength and motion back. This was proof to me that consistency and dedication can go a long way. This injury proved that I can face and triumph over adversity. This spring, I earned an appointment at the United States Coast Guard Academy. I would be planning to use this scholarship towards items such as my uniform deposit and athletics activities fund. Wrestling has instilled grit and perseverance in me. Wrestling has made me confident and ready to face the challenges I will encounter during boot camp and during my years of service. Wrestling has prepared me to serve my country.
      Share Your Poetry Scholarship
      Habana azules Yo siempre me despertaba al olor de carne y maduros Pero no hoy Yo siempre jugaba en la calle con mis amigos antes de la escuela Pero no hoy El aire no era dulce y simple esta mañana; es duro y real No oigo música de la cocina Celia Cruz, Polo Montanez y Benne More tampoco son parte de mi rutina por la mañana Yo vi maletas en la sala de estar “Mamá, ¿qué es eso?” “Rápido, vamos” Nosotros estábamos en el carro Mi tia y tio nos despidieron Mama dijo “volveremos” Pero yo sabía que no era verdad Miré a mi tío y tía y dije “adiós” Las manos grandes de mi tío le hizo parecer pequeña su taza de café Extrañaría sus historias En las mañanas y noches nos sentamos en el porche Dependiendo de la hora él tenía una taza de café o ron Pero él siempre tenía un cigarrillo grande Hablábamos por horas Extrañaría esos momentos Entonces mi tía Era difícil mirarla, Ella lloró Ella nunca lloraba Recuerdo que ella me enseñó jugar a domino Me enseñó los poemas de José Martí Ella siempre estaba un poco borracha y en las noches y cantaba sobre la revolución Extrañaría esos momentos No me quería ir Mis amigos corrieron al lado del carro “Asere que bola?” Pero yo no sabía Yo mentí: “Vamos a vivir en el campo” Nosotros nos vamos Adiós mi casa Adiós amigos Adiós vedado Adiós Habana Adiós Cuba Adiós mi familia Hello America