Crothersville High School senior Derrick Maxie has a dream. He wants to open a theater in Jackson County that serves food while customers watch movies.

But first, Maxie said he needs to focus on graduation and college.

For the past four years, Maxie has supported his high school in countless ways.

He has served as the school’s mascot, the Crothersville Tiger, at sporting events and other school activities as a way to help motivate students and fans.

“I never thought a guy like myself would get a chance to do it,” Maxie said of the experience. “I was certain it would be a girl from the cheerleading team who would do it.”

Maxie said he wanted to be the school’s mascot after he saw the costume in junior high, but the idea of trying out was a little intimidating, so he waited.

“I was quite nervous, but I said when I got bigger, I would do it,” he said.

True to his word, after using his freshman year to study the cheers, Maxie tried out and ultimately got the position.

He also has served as manager of the volleyball and boys and girls track and field teams, helping them in numerous ways, from providing support to serving as a timer to making sure equipment was ready for use.

“Really, all I can say is I enjoy being there for the team and supporting them. I cheer them up if they’re down. They’re all winners to me,” Maxie said of his role on the teams.

Maxie also was a member of the school’s bowling team. He said he enjoyed the pace of the sport, where his only opponent was himself.

Although his personal high score was 185 in competition, he did roll a 200 in practice once, he said. He hopes bowling continues to be a sport offered at Crothersville.

Maxie has been involved in FFA, Science Club, student council, National Honor Society, Academic Super Bowl and Pep Club and was on the yearbook staff for one year.

Thinking and talking about his future is exciting, he said.

He plans to use his strengths in math at Indiana University Southeast this fall, where he wants to major in business management. His ultimate goal is to own a business.

“I want to make a movie theater restaurant in Jackson County,” Maxie said. “I saw one and really liked the idea.”

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Name: Derrick Maxie

Hometown: Crothersville

School: Crothersville High School

School activities: FFA, Science Club, student council, National Honor Society, Academic Super Bowl, Pep Club, track and field manager, volleyball manager, school mascot, yearbook staff, bowling team

Future plans: Attend Indiana University Southeast and major in business management

Family: Parents, Dennis Maxie and Linda Begley; siblings, Dillon Maxie and Denise Maxie

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What: Crothersville High School graduation

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Crothersville High School gymnasium, 109 N. Preston St., Crothersville

Who: 28 seniors will graduate

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