Mattyson Hall is a 17- year-old junior who home schools using the Christian based Monarch on-line program. She can be found most weekday mornings at Mendenhall Public Library completing her lessons before noon. Then Hall heads to the Simpson County Technical Center for her class in health sciences.
Sounds somewhat typical of a high school junior, but Hall is anything but typical. She is pragmatic, compassionate, empathetic, smart, funny and wise beyond her years. And she is the first to tell you she is the way she is because of the life experiences she has been dealt.
Her family story is quite unique and a bit confusing. “I was adopted when I was 8 by my aunt. My parents got divorced. My dad gave his rights up,” Hall began. Her aunt Jennifer and Hall’s mother were from different families but adopted together by Hall’s grandparents. Hall’s biological parents were drug addicts.
Mattyson was born and raised in Oklahoma but relocated to Simpson County after her mother married Mendenhall native William Hall, Jr. Known as JR, he adopted Mattyson in February 2021.
Hall is a young woman with a plan. Her long term desire has always been the medical field. Now she has narrowed that down to pediatric nursing. “I love helping people.” Hall is aiming for dual enrollment at Co-Lin Simpson Center during her senior year. From there her dream is obtaining a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Hall also wants a challenging field where she continues learning. “If I’m not passionate about it I won’t want to do it,” she said.
Hall loves the flexibility of the home school environment but misses social interaction. “I want to go to college because of the social setting. I haven’t had that and I miss it.” Her only social involvement is at church, the library, and her health sciences class.
Currently she has all A’s including a 99 in health sciences. It is a two year program and the second year requires a selection process as only 15 students may participate. At this point, 25-30 are in the program.
In addition Hall works at Sticky Lips Shaved Ice stands in Magee and Mendenhall. When she is not in school or working she is at home helping on the family farm. The Hall family has three dogs and three cats as well as chickens and several pigs. Hall has her own bull too – Cooper – that she has raised since he was a baby calf. She loves him but now that he’s gotten to be a year old Hall stated, “He needs a girlfriend. He just wants to be loved and I did that; I created the monster that is friendly.” She says his “play” now has become head butts resulting in painful bruising.
With the addition of a greenhouse Mattyson and Mom have started the summer gardening process with seedlings including typical southern fare like tomatoes, squash and bell peppers but also ginger, broccoli and brussel sprouts along with herbs.
With such a busy schedule Mattyson does not have much time for hobbies. She does enjoy cooking, baking, traveling and writing poems and songs. She plays basketball for Mt. Zion Christian Academy – “I love basketball; it’s my favorite!” In addition Hall loves traveling and hopes to visit England one day.
She speaks warmly of her relationship with her mother; she is Hall’s best friend and encourager. “I think the world of my mom. She’s been through a lot. She’s helped me become who I am now.”
Dad works for a towing company. Hall also enjoys a great relationship with him and enjoys accompanying him on his calls, not just for the company but to help in whatever way JR needs.
Hall’syounger brother was adopted several years ago. While they have been in contact, due to illness on the part of his parents that contact has decreased. “I understand. I believe I’ll get my time to talk to him when it’s right,” she explained.
Mattyson wants marriage and children some day, hoping for at least one biological child but planning to adopt as well. She knows that path and what it is like to be in that situation.
“I always try to tell people I could sit and take pity on my past experiences but I know that there are children and people who have had it worse than me. So I try to make the best out of it. If it wasn’t for everything I’ve been through I wouldn’t be who I am.”
