Makenzie Terrell

Makenzie Terrell said her dream job would be as a high school counselor, where she could help students grow while steering them on the right path.

The Middleburgh Central School senior has already gotten plenty of practice doing such things in athletic circles and as a leading voice in several organizations.
“I just really like to give back to the school,” the 18-year-old said. “If I didn’t have those things in the first place, I wouldn’t have grown into who I am.”

The academic standout who is one of 10 high school honorees for the inaugural Capital District Sports Women of the Year awards, which also sees three college athletes recognized, is active in SADD, tutors at-risk students in the Liberty Partnership and also lends her skills to Youth as Leaders, the Middleburgh Athletic Association and the Rotary Interact Club. She is also the treasurer of the MCS National Honor Society.

Terrell finds her work with Middleburgh’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) organization particularly rewarding.

“I enjoy that because I get to influence a lot of students,” Terrell said.

Terrell made a difference this past basketball season, even after breaking a wrist on the first day of practice, which forced her to miss all but a handful of games.
“Obviously, she was disappointed,” Middleburgh co-athletic director Melinda Narzymski said of Terrell, whose basketball marksmanship helped her reach an Elks Hoop Shoot Foul Shooting regional final a few years back. “Basketball is her thing, and even though she couldn’t play, she was there at every practice helping out every way she could.”

Terrell was one of only two seniors on a young Middleburgh squad.

“I went to all of the practices and encouraged the other players, and at the same time I got an opportunity to see the game differently,” Terrell said. “That helped me understand the dynamics of the team, and I was able to see what we needed to do collectively to be better.”
Getting better is a trademark of Terrell’s. She won the basketball team’s most improved award in 2017 to go along with the defensive most valuable player award she received in 2019.

“Makenzie not only perseveres, but takes on a leadership role in all she does,” Narzymski said.
Terrell plays softball as well as basketball, and competes despite an autoimmune disorder and circulatory issues.

“I have to be careful,” Terrell said. “It makes playing both basketball and softball a little difficult, but I want to play.”

“She plays it down and doesn’t want extra attention,” Narzymski said. “That’s her way, but it’s commendable how she’s overcome so much.”

Down the road, her goal is to see others overcome obstacles, too.

“I want to help,” Terrell said.

Terrell is already taking college-level courses and will study psychology at SUNY Cobleskill.

“Makenzie demonstrates the qualities we encourage all of our young female athletes to aspire to,” Narzymski said. “Makenzie is an exemplary student and excellent role model.”

Terrell ranks fourth overall in her MCS Class of 2020, and has been recognized numerous times as a New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Western Athletic Conference scholar-athlete. She received the MCS Class of 2020 Award of Health Science Achievement, and has received the High Honor Certificate of Achievement in each of her high school years.

This article appeared in the 2020 CDSWOY Awards Program on August 18, 2020.