Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Autaugaville graduate Makasiah Burns made a big impact on her community during her high school career. She could make an even bigger impact in the years to come. Burns plans to major in Psychology at the University of Alabama Birmingham and strives to become a Child Psychologist so that she can give back to the community. Burns realizes the need, and the lack, of mental health professionals for kids in this community and wants to help in this important area.
Burns has big plans for her future, and her community. Her high school career has proven that she will be up to the challenge. She has excelled both athletically and academically.
In the classroom, Burns maintained a 4.32 grade point average and was a part of the gifted program. She was valedictorian of her graduating class and received over $300,000 in scholarship money. She also was the president of a mentoring group called R.O.S.E.S.
Athletically, Burns played multiple sports. She was Class 1A Area 5 Most Valuable Player once in volleyball and once in basketball. In her senior basketball season, Burns scored 28 points per game and averaged 8 rebounds and 3 assists. She led the Eagles to the 2nd round of the Class 1A Playoffs, and she was named Class 1A 3rd Team All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. She was the first Autaugaville player to be selected to an All-State roster in more than 20 years.
Burns started playing basketball in 6th grade behind support from her older sister, and her mother, Lakesia Howard, who played for the Eagles state championship team in 2000. “My mother was able to make history, and I wanted to continue her legacy,” Burns said.
Burns’ 28 points per game her senior year were the most of any basketball player in Autauga County. She recognized some of the vital details that led to her offensive prowess.
“Being so successful offensively didn’t always come easy. Bigger and slower people are always guarding me because of my size. This allowed me to blow by most of my defenders because they are not expecting me to have guard-like skills. Being able to stay calm in situations most people would be stressed in and block the crowd out has been a part of my game I developed, and it has done me good. I had the mindset that nobody could guard me no matter who they were. This competitive mindset helped me play every game to the best of my ability no matter the outcome.”
As with most basketball players, Burns gets a big thrill from watching the ball go through the net. “Being humble will always be something I take so much pride in, but letting out a loud yell after a tough basket is a feeling of excitement and relief. Playing through adversity and all the negative words from the crowd strengthened my mental growth!”
Burns is very thankful for the coaches, teammates, and community for the support they showed during her high school career. “Coach Jackson, thank you for always believing in me. To my teammates, thank you all for standing behind me no matter what! Be better than me! You all will always be the best part of my high school career. Last but not least to the fans, there is no more Number 20 Big Kay to yell for, but we got some even better! Mark my words!”
In addition to pursuing a degree in Psychology, Burns also plans to continue her basketball career as a walk-on at UAB.
