St. James High School’s JROTC instructor brings home national honor

It was a big day for Col. Stephen Cellucci, JROTC instructor at St. James High School in Myrtle Beach.

Surrounded by more than 1,000 students in St. James’ gymnasium Friday, Cellucci was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Award, which is the third-highest honor within the Department of the Army Civilian Awards ranks.

“I’m just humbled,” Cellucci said.

At the end of his brief speech Friday, he needed a long, loud cheer from the crowd to express his gratitude to his JROTC students, past and present.

“And to have it done in front of all the students, you just can’t ask for anything better,” Cellucci said.

Cellucci beat out more than 4,000 other instructors this year for the award. His motivation to diversify St. James’ program and teach leadership skills to about 400 students yearly was what set him out from the other candidates, said Col. Matthew Ingram, with the 4th Brigade ROTC United States Army Cadet Command.

“Most importantly, he’s able to motivate his students to achieve success,” Ingram said. “To have that kind of a leader, mentor, and coach here in the school, that’s something.”

Ingram, along with officials from Horry County Schools and the Board of Education, attended to witness Cellucci’s honor. The award is based on several criteria such as leadership excellence, understanding of the curriculum and motivation, Ingram said.

It’s clear that the seventh-year St. James High instructor exemplifies all those criteria.

“He’s making a huge impact here, a huge difference, and it’s just heartwarming to see,” Ingram said.

Cellucci served 30 years in the Armored Cavalry for the U.S. Army and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom alongside many notable generals, including Gen. David Petraeus, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Cellucci grew up impoverished with six siblings, but wanted to find a way to attend college. He spent about $160 in college admission fees – to the chagrin of his father – and was finally offered a four-year Army scholarship. His first choice was West Point but, as an “alternative” on the list, he had to attend The Citadel in Charleston.

He reapplied to West Point while at The Citadel – and was accepted – but by then he’d fallen in love with the southern sun.

“I loved the south so much,” Cellucci said. “That’s why I’m here now.”

Cellucci has been the instructor for St. James’ JROTC program for seven years. His goal was and still is to bring as much diversity to the program as possible.

Cheerleaders, drama students, athletes and band members all participate in JROTC, which boasts 13 after-school activities for students. Cellucci tries to offer as many fun activities as possible to interest all types of personalities.

“You’ve got to bring diversity to the program, or else it’s not going to grow,” he said.

Medals, honors and awards aren’t the reasons Cellucci wakes up every morning and pushes St. James High School students to succeed; it’s all just a labor of love.

“I just hope I can bring to this program what it gave me,” he said.

This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "St. James High School’s JROTC instructor brings home national honor."