Southeast Lauderdale High School’s Ma’kiya Pickens will stay close to home following graduation after she announced plans to attend East Mississippi Community College in a signing ceremony Wednesday.

 

A member of the Tiger’s soccer team, Pickens will continue her athletic career with the Lions as she works towards a career as a family physician.

 

Southeast girls soccer coach Caesar Diaz said Pickens is a talented athlete and works hard to help her team succeed.

 

“What makes Ma’kiya so special is she’s just a complete athlete. You can tell her to play anywhere on the field and she’ll do it,” he said. “She’s a team player, which in soccer that is what you need. You need a team player who can be part of the team because soccer is a team sport.”

 

Pickens said she feels “confident and excited” about the next leg of her journey and looks forward to joining the Lions’ soccer team. To her teammates at Southeast Lauderdale, she said good luck during the upcoming soccer season.

 

“Thank you for always supporting me, and I wish you all the best for the upcoming season,” she said.