Star Banning Athlete 'Didn’t Allow Anything To Stop Him'

Banning, California — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Darlene Stewart who nominated Marquis of Banning, California.

Star local student’s name

Marquis

What grade is your star local student in?

11th

How do you know the star local student?

He is my son

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

Marquis is deaf and hard of hearing who uses a hearing aid in the right ear and has no hearing at all in his left ear. During his time in High School he has been in general education classes where he has maintained a 3.7 gpa all while being a multi sport athlete.

He is also apart of ASB. Marquis is trilingual. First language is English, 2nd language is ASL, and 3rd language is Spanish. He has participated in several community events, a couple where he helped clean up parks and paint their equipment, as well as fences. He also finished his two years of career requirements where he took Auto Mechanics.

Marquis is one of the starting pitchers, as well as 3rd base, for his high school varsity baseball team and has helped get his team to win their 2nd Division League title. He has played on Varsity since his freshman year. He’s also the quarterback for the Banning High Varsity football team, but during this season he suffered from a spinal injury that had him out for 8 weeks. And right after he recovered from his injury he went and played varsity soccer.

I believe my son deserves to be recognized because with all the adversities he has faced he has never allowed them to knock him down or quit. Even at a young age he didn’t allow anything to stop him, like when he was 18 months old and broke his leg. Even then, with a cast all the way up his leg, he still managed to walk around and didn’t let it effect his daily life.

High school was definitely a change from Jr High and Elementary because he was always in a total communications class, where other students were deaf or hard of hearing. The way he has pushed himself and has become so self-reliant despite his obstacles is why I feel he should be recognized.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

Marquis is deaf and hard of hearing

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Marquis!

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