Before their track meet on Tuesday, members of the Marlboro County High School track and field team released white balloons in honor of their teammate, Precious Le’Nique McLain, who died in a car crash on March 15.
Students had made and signed a banner for McLain along with wearing t-shirts with her picture on them.
Assistant Principal Keydareon Graham spoke on behalf of the administration during the tribute and stated he understood what they were feeling. “As we run today, we run for Precious,” he said. “As we jump today, we jump for Precious.”
He told them they dedicated the entire season to McLain.
“When you feel yourself getting upset, think about what she would want you to do,” he said. “We have to strive hard on and off the field.”
In an interview with the Herald-Advocate, Graham said students and staff were still trying to make sense of the loss.
He added every day school officials are making sure students and staff are supported with in-house counselors and in-district support for students and staff. McLain ran track, played in the band, and was a cheerleader.
“Precious was your ideal student,” Graham said. “It was never a dull moment or a sad moment. She always carried herself in a positive way. She would always have a way to make you smile and turn your day for the good. She was the example of what it meant to have that ‘Bulldog pride and Bulldog tenacity.”
Girls Track and Field Coach Brittany Brown agreed and said McLain was hardworking and very competitive.
“But in a good way,” Brown said. “She liked to push people to be better. She was one of our top fastest girls. It is going to be hard without her, but we are going to make sure the season is for her.”
Brown added that McLain was always very encouraging to her teammates on and off the field.
“She was encouraging everyone to be better and to keep their grades up so they could run and participate.”
In track she ran the 4X1 relay, 4X4 relay, 100 and 200 meter dash.