Marcellus awarded march student of the month

By: Abby Ridgel, Contributing Writer

​Michael Marcellus, junior at Centralia High School (CHS), was awarded March student of the month. Dr. Matt Smith, CHS Principal, thought Marcellus would be a great candidate for this award because of his leadership and integrity displayed throughout the basketball season. 

At a recent basketball game, Principal, Dr. Matt Smith saw first hand Marcellus displaying these qualities. 

​“We have very high expectations for the behavior of our student section at home basketball games. Unlike many schools we play, CHS kids do not do things that reflect poorly on themselves like booing, yelling "airball" and the like. Each year it gets harder and harder to maintain our composure as opponents seem to get more and more obnoxious with time. Of course, each year we have new students or younger students who don't automatically understand this expectation and might try to push the limits on this. At a home basketball game this year, after a poor shot by an opponent, from across the gym I caught the faint sound of "airball" coming from our student section.  Before I could even get headed in that direction I caught a glimpse of Michael, from the front row of the student section, turned around pointing at and "strongly advising" a younger student that "we don't do that". All I had to do was give Michael a "thumbs up" from across the gym, he had the situation in hand. I appreciate him being such a great leader and a young man of high integrity,” said Smith. 


“When I received the student of the month I was shocked. I thought that if I would receive the award it would be because I opened a door for someone or I stayed and helped stack up chairs at the end of lunch. I would've never thought it would be for telling a student to not yell air ball. I believe the people that surround me and the teachers that teach me have a very big impact on me,” said Marcellus.


Marcellus is involved in football and baseball. Additionally, he is a FFA chapter officer, a member of Skrubs and Beta Chi Pi.