Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 12, 2023 AWARD| FROM PAGE 1 tives offers its sincerest congratulations to: Witche Exilhomme. “In honor of your recognition by the Legislature as a 2023 Black Excellence Honoree & your leadership and dedication to the Malden youth community, the entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors.” Exilhomme is a 2012 Malden High School graduate and 2018 graduate of American International College in Springfield, where he received a bachelor of science degree as well as a master’s degree in business administration. He taught and coached at Milford Academy in New York and then joined the Malden High School football coaching staff as an assistant in 2020. In 2021 he was appointed football head coach at Malden High and is now in his third year. Coach Exilhomme is also in his second year as an educator in the History Department at Malden High School. In addition to his teaching and coaching duties, Exilhomme is well-known around Malden for having immersed himself into the community as a mentor to many young people across the city – boys and girls in all grades. Even before he officially joined both the Golden Tornadoes football staff and then the Malden High School faculty as a History educator, he has been “all Malden, all the time,” according to Principal Mastrangelo. “Coach Exilhomme is a valued member of our MHS staff and INITIATIVE | FROM PAGE 5 type of assistance we could offer to our Ward 7 residents beyond,” Simonelli said. The Ward 7 Councillor said another aspect of the MassHousing TAP program is the assisA group of family, friends and Malden High Schools students gathered in the MHS Courtyard to congratulate MHS Football Head Coach Witche Exilhomme (shown above, front row, center) with Mayor Gary Christenson, on his selection as a 2023 Black Excellence Award Winner chosen by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus of the Massachusetts Legislature. (Advocate Photos) so well-deserving of this award,” Mastrangelo said. “We are proud of his accomplishments and service to the youth of Malden as an educator and coach and look forward to much more in the future.” The MHS principal explained the significance of the award for Exilhomme to the group gathered, particularly the many students on hand, and also read the State House citation. Since being named Football Head Coach here for the 2021 season, Exilhomme has only stepped up his efforts to nurture and enhance the lives of young people throughout the city, according to Malden Public Schools Physical Education Director Charlie Conefrey. In addition to coaching the football team, Coach Witche is heavily involved with numerous other programs in and out of sports tance in guiding the local program – in this case the planned Malden Collaborative – in “tapping” into existing programs in the community. “We are looking at hooking up with as many Malden programs already out there as we believe can be helpful to for Malden youth. “Coach Exilhomme is well-known as a mentor, advocate and he is an ‘always on call’ counselor for all of Malden’s youth who can take advantage of his knowledge and perspectives on life,” Conefrey said. Exilhomme said he is honored to receive the Black Excellence Award and pledged to continue to work with Malden’s young residents who need the most assistance. “Our young people deserve whatever we can offer them in guidance and advice,” Exilhomme said. “If we can get them to accept and follow some basic values as hard work, trust and compassion for others, it will only help them in the future. “I always tell my players and others, ‘work hard to make life easy,’” Exilhomme said. Words to live by. our residents,” Simonelli said. “I think we can help people from as young as infants and their mothers all the way up to senior citizens.” Councillor Simonelli said he has already had discussions with representatives of such Law Offices of JOSEPH D. CATALDO, P.C. “ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW” • ESTATE/MEDICAID PLANNING • WILLS/TRUSTS/ESTATES • INCOME TAX PREPARATION • WEALTH MANAGEMENT • RETIREMENT PLANNING • ELDER LAW 369 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 (617)381-9600 JOSEPH D. CATALDO, CPA, CFP, MST, ESQUIRE. AICPA Personal Financial Specialist Designee Malden’s Witche Exilhomme is shown at an appreciation gathering held at Malden High School in recognition of his Black Excellence Award from the state legislature. major potential municipal partners as the Malden Senior Center, Malden Recreation Department and Malden Teen Enrichment Center (MTEC), as well as Housing Families Inc., Malden Overcoming Addiction (MOA) and the Bridge Recovery Center. In addition to trainings and information, Simonelli said, the plan is to coordinate singular events such as sports-related tournaments and also diverse events involving live music and other performances. “Kids, especially teens, love music, that’s a fact,” Simonelli said. “We want to reach them where they are at. We would also like to introduce our residents to sports they might not be familiar with in their original countries. Baseball, basketball and other sports. We plan on having instructional camps and special days. It’s all in there.” “If our residents do not know about the resources, programming and assistance they are able to access, they are going to know about it very soon with this project,” Simonelli said. “We are very excited about this and it will be available to anyone who wants help, information or just being part of something, or having something to do.” Councillor Simonelli said he plans on rolling out more definitive information on Malden Collaborative by early June, with some programming available as early as this summer. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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