BOSTON CELTICS: Malden’s Maximus Angel is ‘A Hero Among Us’

Linden STEAM Academy first-grader honored for quick action to help stricken teacher

By Steve Freker

Now, even the Boston Celtics and their fans know all about Malden’s hero first-grader Maximus Angel.

Maximus was sitting in his first-grade class when his teacher, Linden School educator Jessica Muolo, passed out and fell to the floor. Fortunately for Muolo, who is pregnant, her own “guardian” Angel – Maximus – did not even think twice. The seven-year-old Malden first-grader turned local superhero in an instant. As one of an entire group of young students looking on, he sprang into action. He immediately went for help for the stricken Muolo – but not before he grabbed the nurse’s office pass sitting on her desk!

Muolo was able to be revived by school and outside personnel and all reports are that she and her baby are doing fine.

“All I said was come quick and explained to her what was going on but she came quick. I said our teacher fainted,” Maximus told reporters in an online report.

The Linden School seven-year-old said his actions were something he learned at home. “My dad helped me because he taught me to help others and if I didn’t then I knew that that could’ve ended worse than it happened,” Maximus said.

Maximus was honored by Superintendent Dr. Ligia Noriega-Murphy and the Malden School Committee earlier this spring. On May 1, Maximus was center stage at TD Garden – standing right on the Leprechaun! – when he received the “Hero Among Us” award before the Celtics’ home playoff game against Miami. A citation presented to Maximus read: “For remaining composed in an emergency situation and for his life-saving actions, 7-year-old Max Angel of Malden, Massachusetts was honored as a Hero Among Us at the Celtics playoff home game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.”

According to the Boston Celtics, since its establishment in 1997 by the Boston Celtics, “The Heroes Among Us has recognized outstanding individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to their communities. The award is presented every home game and pays tribute to the heroic achievements of these outstanding citizens.”