I’ve been a fairly involved family member in Malcolm’s life, and have hired him as an extra employee on some recent occasions to help me with finish carpentry projects I was hired to do. He is fun to be around, extremely dependable, and good with his hands. He thinks on his feet. I trust he will do what he says he will do. He’s got a subtle sense of humor, and a deep compassion for others.

He’s young, and still learning how to manage this aspect of adult life, but I see him learning and adapting and growing every time we interact, which is often.

Malcolm and I worked together a bit on his personal project last year for his school—he designed and built his own skis. I’m an artist, and he asked for my help doing sketches for his designs for the artwork on the skis. I helped guide him to implement his designs. He was committed to making the whole thing himself. He did a ton of research about sizes of bodies and shapes of skis; what’s best appropriate, etc. I appreciate this about him a lot—he knows how and when to ask for help, but has the drive to see a thing through himself. I see this carried out in many ways across his life as he is growing up.

I see Malcolm as an impressive young person who is confident enough to know and respect his talents, and humble enough to recognize where he can grow. He wants to do well, and is willing to take a note.

Malcolm is still becoming himself, as all teenagers his age are. I see him as adaptable, empathetic, and kind. He’s extremely good at verbalizing in a teaching capacity—I have learned so much from him already!

I believe his brother is also applying. This may or may not be a concern for you, but I do want to share that while they are very much their own people, they do also operate very well together, as a team.