As Marilyn Monroe once stated, “Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.” Overcoming adversity in his life and learning from every experience, Marcus Pierre has become the senior, track star and role model whom people have grown to admire.
Pierre has participated in Palmetto’s track and field team for the past four years. Aside from the “filler” 4x 400-meter relay, 4x 800-meter relay, 800-meter, and high jump events that Coach Geimere Latimer enters him in, Pierre specializes in the 400-meter. He holds the school record of 49 seconds for the category. His goal illustrates his determination: Pierre yearns to break a 48 – or even better.
“I always loved running,” Pierre said. “I’ve just been doing it for as long as I can remember. I’m from the Islands where running is huge, so I’ve always just loved it.”
In the past, Pierre participated in a variety of sports, from football and basketball to cross country and soccer. He plans on playing soccer for the first time since seventh grade this season. But sports seem insignificant when compared to his triumph over adversity.
As a young kid, Pierre’s mother and father passed away. Coming from a poor background in Haiti, times became tougher than they already were.
“He’s a kid that came from a pretty rough background. He’s very morally sound, just an amazing kid,” Latimer said. “When you look at the percentages, he’s not supposed to be.”
Without anywhere else in Haiti to safely live, Pierre moved to South Florida and stayed with his older sister. Pierre sometimes feels like a burden; four younger kids live in the same house. He has, with immense appreciation, stayed with his sister for the past 10 years.
“I would honestly give up my life for that lady,” Pierre said. “She has been my life-line.”
Because of his life’s twists and turns, Pierre became independent. Hesitant to ask his sister for money, Pierre “got it himself.” He acquired a job at Sports Grill near Killian High School and has been working there for over a year.
Pierre’s situation has also given him the ability to think and act independently.
“I always try to be a role model,” Pierre said. “If people need advice, I try to help them out. If there is a fight, I get out of the way. I’m always trying to watch out for people.”
Students like senior Kacee Shumaker, Pierre’s girlfriend, admire him for everything he represents.
“He has a really great attitude. He’s overcome a lot in his life and follows through with every decision he makes,” Shumaker said. “He’s always there for me and I’m always there for him. I go to all of his games I can; I love supporting him.”
This “support,” whether it comes from his girlfriend or the sight of other families, invigorates Pierre. It reminds him of what “family” really means.
“I watch so many people whose mom and dad show up to games, and it’s like a home crowd,” Pierre said. “If your parents take the time to come watch you, you think ‘wow, my parents, people who love me, came here to watch me.’ And that support, it’s a great feeling.”
Understanding and relatable, Pierre has drawn attention to himself and his friend, sophomore Wendell Dunn. Pierre and Dunn created what they call “the group.” They try helping other students choose a better path for themselves.
“We try to have fun and make sure that people learn more about being spiritually connected and how to stay spiritually connected,” Dunn said.
The meetings take place once a week on Thursdays after school in the football locker room. More than 15 students attend the weekly track meetings, some of whom bring their friends.
Between his track and field commitment and his extracurricular dedication, Pierre has defined morals and opinions shaped by the rollercoaster of events that have occurred in his life.
“Do good things fall apart so that better things can fall together? I think so,” Pierre said. “Sometimes the good things in our eyes might not be the best things for ourselves.”
