THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 3, 2020 Page 15 MISSION | FROM PAGE 1 for those already relegated to a remote learning menu for their initial foray into the collegiate world. Those heading into the working world could not be faulted for wrestling with anxiety whether a job awaits them or will even last due to the economic chaos borne by COVID-19. There are exceptions, however. For Malden High School senior Ezra Kruckenberg, one of the top students in the Class of 2020, his future path is crystal clear. It could also be considered another slice of Malden history. Two-year religious service mission part of his BYU acceptance For what could likely be a first for a Malden High soonto-be graduate, Kruckenberg will begin his college years by embarking on a two-year religious service mission this fall. On October 6, the MHS senior will leave the country and head to Puerto Rico. Serving two years on a mission is part of his acceptance as a student at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Kruckenberg was accepted at BYU in February. He made his final decision to commit to attend BYU, and accept the mission, after weighing financial packages from several other colleges and universities, most in New England. When you consider the details of his commitment to the service mission, it is easy to determine that it has been the most compelling decision of his life. In Puerto Rico, he will serve as an assistant to a congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a variety of service-based activities. As part of his mission, Kruckenberg will begin his service within The Puerto Rico Mission, which includes the U.S. territory of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and several other Caribbean islands. At latest count, there were 39 congregations in the Puerto Rican Mission, with just under 24,000 church members. He will not be back home for two years To understand the scope of his commitment, it is a step few 18 year olds right out high school have taken. Once the mission begins on Kruckenberg an accomplished student-athlete Kruckenberg is also an accomplished student-athlete, performing at a high level in two varsity sports, as a high jumper and sprinter for the indoor track team and as a southpaw pitcher and first baseman for Malden High baseball. He would have been the ace hurler for the Tornado squad this past spring, has the pandemic not wiped out the high school spring sports season. "Ezra (Kruckenberg) is the perfect example of what we seek in a Malden High student-athlete," Malden Public Schools Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Health Charlie Conefrey said. "He is a top-notch competitor on both the classroom and in two major sports. On top of that, Ezra is a perfect gentleman and a credit to his school, family and his church." Conefrey recently presentACE PITCHER— Ezra Kruckenberg would have been an ace pitcher of the Malden High School Baseball Team is the season had not been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Steve Freker Photo) October 6, Kruckenberg will neither return home for the full two years, nor have any contact whatsoever with his family or anyone else associated with his home. "Once on my mission, I will not have any direct contact from friends, family, or anyone that I know from home," Kruckenberg explained. "My mission will be 24 months or two full years. During that time, I will be within the boundaries of the mission constantly, though not in the same place for two years. I will periodically move, possibly being placed on any area on the island or even on a small island close by." Kruckenberg said once he made his decision, he realized it was a personal one, and involved a great sacrifice, particularly leaving his close-knit family for two years. "The mission is special to me, specifically because I know that I'm choosing to leave everything I know behind and dedicate two years of my life to God and his work," he said. Will be a member of the BYU Class of 2026 BYU students have some leeway in their decision, in that they can choose to delay the service mission to their third year of college. Kruckenberg decided to go on his two-year mission right away."I will be a member of the Class of 2026 and will be starting classes at BYU in the fall of 2022." While Kruckenberg is headed for an entirely single-minded path when he begins his service mission, it will be a big change for a high school senior who could be considered a bit of a Renaissance Man at Malden High. Ranked in the top 10 of his senior class, Kruckenberg is the President of the National Honor Society, first selected for NHS as a sophomore. He has consistently taken Advanced Placement classes throughout his high school years and carries a grade point average of 4.7 on a 4.0 scale.That's way above "all A's," for the uninitiated. In addition to his academic exploits, Kruckenberg is also very close to attaining the highest rank available in the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout. The pandemic slowed his ascent, but the MHS senior is hopeful he will get there before the year is out. ed Kruckenberg with the $500 Bob Rotondi Scholarship, which goes to a top student-athlete who played in the Malden Babe Ruth League. Kruckenberg played on the title-winning Pilots team in 2018. Starting in October, Kruckenberg's tasks will still be varied, but with one singular goal in mind, spreading the word of God on behalf of his church. "This will include preaching, attending church meetings, teaching new members, and helping to baptize new members," Kruckenberg explained."There will be a good amount of service, either in the form of physical assistance or planning and leading church events." He added, "I will also be in assistance to any who are interested in learning more about the Church or people who are in the process of converting." Graduation Day awaits on August 3 Before heading off to his two-year mission, Kruckenberg will be able to savor one reclaimed vestige of the Class of 2020's traditions, as plans are in place for an in-person, outdoor Graduation Day at Macdonald Stadium in Malden, on Monday, August 3 at 6:00 p.m. with physical distancing and restricted attendance. Kruckenberg said he is looking forward to the big day —even more so, considering where he is headed next. "It will be great to be able to celebrate my senior year with my family and friends," Kruckenberg said, "and also will give me a chance to say goodbye to some people I will not see for a while. "But I'm ready, I am looking forward to my mission as well," the MHS senior said. SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT— Malden High senior Ezra Kruckenberg receiving the Bob Rotondi Scholarship during a recent studentathlete scholarship award ceremony by the Golden Tornado Club and Director of Athletics Charlie Conefrey. (Steve Freker Photo)
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