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What young baseball loving boy doesn’t want to grow up to be a “big time” player…and usually a pitcher? Matthew Harrison, a recent graduate of Simpson Academy…like every “male” member of his family, had the dream.
Matthew is a special young man…a teenager with a heart and love for others…a teenager who works hard at anything he does…a teenager who is seeing part of his dream come true.
Matthew signed with Meridian Community College after months of wrestling with the question of where to play ball. “I had been praying really hard about it (where to play) and when I went on a visit the Lord really showed me that Meridian was the place to go. The coaches did an unbelievable job of recruiting and couldn’t have been nicer to me or my family,” Matthew recently shared with me.
Matthew comes from a baseball family. His father, Mack Harrison, played baseball at Watkins High School in Laurel where he was drafted in the 6th round (138th overall) by the Oakland Athletics. His brother, Michael, played two years at Homes and then signed to play at Arkansas Monticello (he will begin in the fall) but is currently playing in a league in Canada.
Baseball is not Matthew’s only talent. He was a member of the National Honors Society, a Mississippi Scholar, made the Head Masters list all four nine weeks. Graduated with High Honors. Awarded first in English IV, 3rd in Chemistry II and was selected to Simpson Academy’s Hall of Fame.
Matt’s classmates selected him in 2015 & 2016 as Most Spiritual Minded and 2015 & 2016 Class Favorite. He was awarded the Citizenship Award in 2015 & 2016. 
Out of the classroom and on the field, Matthew received numerous sports awards: Game Changer Award, Pitching Excellence Award, MAIS Fab 15 in baseball, Top Players to Watch, First Team All-District, and District MVP. Matt was selected to play in the MAIS All Star game where he was named the MVP.
Matthew’s dad (Mack) and mother (Jaynie) are proud of their sons and daughters! Matthew has 4 sister: Britney, Adrienne, Laura, and Rebecca……along with brother Michael…Matt’s family is composed of 8 people!…and let me tell you something…every one of them are fine as Matthew.
Getting to know Matthew has been a privilege and blessing. Matthew came into my life about 3 1/2 years ago by way of Brandon Johnston. Brandon had recruited Michael and Matthew to assist with a project at my house. I realized then, I had met two boys who loved the Lord, their family, their church, and their friends.
Matthew and I have remained friends. I’ll get a text saying “thinking about you…and praying.” One afternoon late I was sitting at my desk and in strolls Matthew already suited in his SCA uniform. I had no idea why he had stopped by. He told me the Lord had placed me on his mind and he just wanted to check on me and tell me he loved me. Well, ya’ll can imagine the tears that followed after he left…I was touched beyond belief. One day, I texted and asked if he could help me with one of my projects…his answer “Lord willing, I will be there.”
Lord willing, Matthew Harrison will live his life touching others…not only on a baseball field, a classroom, but in life. Thank you for your blessings, Matthew. I will always be proud of you!
