Hard work is the name of the game for Maliq Watkins. A graduate of Detroit’s Southeastern High School, Maliq was a student athlete who played football while focusing on his academic success.
Click this link to watch a video about Maliq.
After being homeschooled for many years, Maliq came to DBG where he learned important social-emotional skills in addition to academics and athletics.
“I wouldn’t have cared about as much as I do now. I wouldn’t go as hard as I do. Coming to DBG taught me to keep going and how important it is to have determination and tenacity,” he says.
Like all of this year’s seniors, Maliq’s first full year of high school took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many students nationwide, he found online classes challenging and says at one point, he was ready to give up. But DBG’s coaches kept him grounded, focused and on track. By the end of the year, Maliq recovered his grades and finished with confidence.
“My coaches always taught me to never give up and give 100 – not even, 110% in all and everything that I do,” he says.
Maliq’s future plans include attending Wayne State University and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. Outside of school, he works with the Detroit Youth Council, an organization that helps to beautify Detroit with landscaping and citywide clean ups.
“I think we all could do a little better in taking care of our spaces, so I do my part,” he says.
Congratulations Maliq and the entire DBG class of 2023 for putting in the hard work needed to pursue your dreams. We look forward to celebrating many more accomplishments with you in the years to come.