Centralia native and educator Dr. Tron Young provided a message to the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce at their 99th Annual Meeting Wednesday night on the need to become involved with today’s students and future leaders.
After graduating from Centralia High School and SIU-Carbondale, Young began his career as a Centralia Junior High Teacher. He is now Principal at Arthur Middle School in O’Fallon and the winner of multiple education awards including 2020 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year.
“Very proud of my hometown. I’m proud of the opportunities that my hometown afforded me. Growing up did not understand or recognize it. As an adult, I appreciate it.”
Young asked the crowd at the Centralia American Legion to ‘check your heart’ multiple times in trying to convince them to also give back.
“I came back because I was invested in as a kid and I wanted to give back. Imagine if every business person chose a junior or senior in high school and invested in them. Even if you had 50% of those kids come back, that’s an investment in the community. I see several that have done that which is amazing.”
In addition to being mentors, Young suggested being a reading buddy, adopting a school to help them with needs, attending an athletic event to show appropriate behavior, helping with a school fundraiser, or taking a young person to an event such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to show them activities to become involved to improve the community.
Young received a standing ovation at the close of his presentation.
