Community Captain: Benjamin Mallouky
By April Smith
Carolina Panthers
Posted Dec 28, 2009
The Carolina Panthers have selected Benjamin Mallouky, a senior at Independence High School (Charlotte, NC), as a 2009 Carolina Panthers Community Captain.
The Carolina Panthers Community Captain program recognizes high school football student-athletes in North and South Carolina who excel in the classroom, in the community and on the field. The program is designed to recognize outstanding young leaders and to encourage their future development as role models while they continue their personal growth in college and in their professional careers.
In his second season as a long snapper and special teams player, Mallouky proved himself to his coaches and team, and was chosen to start for the Patriots football team. In addition, he earned the ultimate team compliment by being elected as a team captain. Mallouky’s skills have been recognized during summer football camps in which he has garnered top awards for his long snapping. Since then, he has been selected as a senior scholar athlete.
Despite his leadership role on the football field, Mallouky does not consider sports to be the only important thing in his life, “I believe academics are a big thing in every teenager’s life, athlete or not. I take pride in my grades and how well I do in school,” said Mallouky. He has achieved an unweighted 3.58 GPA and is ranked in the top 3% in his class. Mallouky, who has consistently taken on the challenge of enrolling in AP and honors courses, has been selected as a Junior Marshal, was nominated by Independence High School for the Belk Scholarship, an academic scholarship for Davidson College, and is also considering Princeton University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Principal Mark Bosco notes that Mallouky frequently works for the betterment of others and is an exceptional role model for his peers. In consideration of those less fortunate, Mallouky organized a school supply drive raised notebooks that benefited Classroom Central’s school supply collection and gathered more than 100 pairs of shoes for the Soles4Souls shoe charity that gives to those in need. Although Mallouky’s week is filled with school and practice, his work does not end on Friday nights. He regularly spends his Saturday mornings mentoring and coaching special needs individuals the game of golf at a local course in order to prepare them for the Special Olympics. "Giving back to the community is an important part in everyone's life. It teaches you to be grateful for what you have, and I love to give back to the community, especially children who do not have it as well as I do," said Mallouky.
From football cleats, to golf cleats to just regular tennis shoes, this Community Captain has filled many shoes. Mallouky’s accomplishments have been recognized by many, including Mint Hill Mayor, Ted Biggers, Jr., “While a student at Independence High School, Mr. Mallouky has excelled academically, and has served as an example for other students through his academic achievements, participation, leadership in school sports and community service,” said Biggers.
The Community Captain Class of 2009 recipients so far this season are Thomas Teal of Marlboro High School (Marlboro, SC), Dylan Bowman of West Brunswick High School (Shallotte, NC), Jonathan Bowie of Hendersonville High School (Hendersonville, NC), Darius Lipford of Hibriten High School (Lenoir, NC), Colin Summers of Needham Broughton High School (Raleigh, NC), Michael Harpe of Spartanburg High School (Spartanburg, SC), Joshua Jenkins of Enloe High School (Raleigh, NC), Samuel Keenan of Lancaster High School (Lancaster, SC) and Benjamin Mallouky of Independence High School (Charlotte, NC).
The 2009 Carolina Panthers Community Captain Class will be recognized during a special on-field ceremony at the Panthers home game versus the New Orleans Saints on January 3rd. Winners will receive an authentic Community Captain jersey and will have the opportunity to
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