A Second Chance, A Stronger Self

Most people don’t expect a second chance at their dream. Markell Simmons didn’t just get one. He made the most of it. After graduating from East Columbus Jr. Sr. High School, he enrolled at North Carolina A&T with plans to become a biomedical engineer. But during that first year, something shifted. “I asked God where He wanted me,” Markell said. “And I asked Him for one more opportunity to play the sport I loved.” That moment of clarity brought him to Southeastern Community College, where his brother Maurice was thriving as SGA President. Markell decided to take the risk and enroll, a choice he now calls the best he’s ever made.

As a walk-on for SCC’s baseball team, Markell was welcomed with more than encouragement. His teammates surprised him with cleats, a glove, and other gear to help him get started, showing their support in a way that truly meant a lot to him. “Through playing on the baseball team, I found a fight in myself that I didn’t even know I had,” he said. That fight helped him push through both physical and mental challenges, including social anxiety. He credits the close-knit community, supportive coaches, and instructors who supported him along the way for helping him grow into a stronger and more confident version of himself.

Now an SCC graduate with an Associate in Arts degree, Markell is heading to Mid-Atlantic Christian University to study Counseling and Psychology while continuing his journey as a dual-sport student-athlete in baseball and soccer. He plans to become a mental health counselor and use his experiences to lift others up. His story is a reminder that clarity can come in unexpected places, growth often begins in discomfort, and success is possible when you stay open to change. “Your dreams are only one decision away from becoming reality,” he said. “It’s only over when you say it’s over. Keep working, keep fighting, and don’t throw in the towel.”