By Derrick Smith 

When a student decides to play sports, they are doing more than just playing a sport. They are also helping themselves grow in a variety of ways. Malinda Stilley is the mother of five and she knows that sports have and are playing a big part in their lives. 

“For me, it is important for academics to be put first,” Stilley said. “However, sports run a very close second. Sports, especially team sports, teach kids so much about life. Virtually every aspect of your adult life requires you to work as a team, whether it be at your job or your marriage, for example. Sports also help instill important characteristics needed to succeed in life like dedication, self-discipline, time management, and leadership, to name a few.” 

Malinda graduated from Calumet High School and competed in sports. She played basketball, volleyball, and softball, but her main focus was on basketball. Now, her kids are carrying on that athletic gene. 

“My oldest, Baylor, graduated high school and served four years in the Marine Corps,” she stated. “He participated in baseball while in high school. McKinley and Presley are seniors. They both play softball and basketball. McKinley is not playing softball this year due to back-to-back ACL tears. Presley also participates in FFA and shows pigs. Both girls have been on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll since first grade. Cale is a seventh grader. He plays basketball and baseball. He plays with his school teams and picks up with traveling teams for both sports. He also runs cross country. The youngest, Kross, is in the fourth grade and he also plays basketball, cross country, and baseball.” 

Malinda is a teacher at Calumet. She teaches fifth and sixth-grade math. When she is able to end up with some free time, she enjoys photography, road trips, spending time with her family, and doing anything outdoors. 

The community and school of Calumet have been great for Stilley and her family and she says that she is proud to be a part of it. 

“I love the way the community shows up to support the athletes whether or not they have a kid playing.”