Malin Barber was six years old on September 11, 2001.  

She was at Victory Christian School when news of the terrorist attacks broke but recalls little about the day.

“I remember being in school, on this very hallway,” she said as she sat in a small blue chair in Melissa Craft’s kindergarten classroom at Victory.  “People started coming in and grabbing their children, so being a kid, I thought we were getting out of school early.  I didn’t realize people were jumping out of buildings on fire.”

Now a high school junior, Barber now sees the bigger picture.

“It’s surreal, the idea that someone from the outside could find its way in to attack this country, as strong and well-founded as it is.  It’s unbelievable, because this country is so great, but there is always somebody on the outside wanting to make greatness fall.”

As she spoke, Barber left her chair and began pacing the room.

“America is great, and when someone achieves greatness, there’s always someone thinking, ‘They don’t deserve to be that great,’” she said.  “So they work to sabotage them and make them less than what they are.  But 9/11 did not destroy us.  It was a day that has made us stronger.”

Barber resumed her seat with a smile and an apology for getting so wrapped up in her subject.  She then went on to explain why American history is her favorite subject, how she developed a strong sense of justice, and what she enjoys most about playing volleyball for Victory’s Lady Lions.

Learning from the past:  “My seventh and eighth grade history teacher is an inspiration to me.  Her teaching made it very interesting to learn.  I enjoy learning about the past and what we can do to change our mistakes.”

Her strong feelings against injustice:  “A lot of it has to do with my dad.  He’s been a leader, and his decisions and actions have rubbed off on his children.  He talks to me and my brother Payton as adults and makes sure we understand what’s going on around us.  When the second plane hit on 9/11, he knew right away it was a terrorist attack.  He is able to read situations well and has a good sense of character.  I’ve been blessed to be exposed to those traits.”

Her family:  Malin’s parents are Kinsman and Marie Barber.  She is the oldest of four children.  “It’s tough sometimes, but you have to set the example.  I’m blessed to be the volleyball captain this year, so I’m already used to the pressure of having to be a good example.”

For the Lady Lions:  Barber played middle hitter at the beginning of the season but has moved to the libero (defensive specialist) position.  “Being captain means being a leader and watching your character so that you’re a good example for others.  The team graduated six seniors last year, and those seniors setting a good example for me has made me become the volleyball player I am.  I want to carry on what they did for me.”

The sport’s greatest challenge:  “We’re having a bit of a rough season, so for me right now, one of the hardest things is coming off the court and still being able to hold my head high for the rest of the team.  It can be hard to let go of your mistakes, but you have to learn from them.  It can be hard to be positive, reinforce others, and keep going regardless of what the scoreboard says.  You’re not out of the game until the buzzer sounds.”

Her plans for the future:  “For a long time, I wanted to be an American history teacher and coach varsity volleyball.  I’d like to attend Troy University.”  She’s also interested in helping expand her mother’s needlepoint design business.

In her leisure time:  “I love to play tennis at the Ragland courts, and I’m involved with a lot of activities with youth groups at Hardin’s Chapel Church in Ragland.  I’m also big on nail designs, and I’m in love with Law & Order: SVU.  I thought about being a detective because of that show.”

How she describes herself:  “Easy to talk to.  Trustworthy.  I want to be the kind of person people can come to and ask for advice or to pray with them.”

One item she always has with her:  “My purity ring.”

If stranded on a desert island with one meal, book, and CD:  “I would want my momma’s lasagna.  If I couldn’t have that, it would be Progresso chicken potpie soup.  For the book, I am a huge hopeless romantic, and I’ve read a bazillion old novels from the 1800s and early 1900s, so I’d probably want one of those.  The CD would be Jason Aldean or anything country.”

Her favorite guilty pleasure:  “Walmart brand chocolate chip cookies.  If I have any fat on me, it’s all cookies.”