Viking of the Week: Maceo Watkins, ’26

Viking of the Week: Maceo Watkins ’26

Maceo Watkins ’26 leads with quiet confidence—in the classroom, on the football field, and among his peers—and embodies the remarkable growth a Central student can achieve. Faculty members consistently speak of the maturity and development Maceo has shown from freshman to senior year, not only in their classrooms, but also in the way he interacts with adults and peers and approaches his responsibilities on the field. Over time, he has become a leader to many of our younger students, who genuinely look up to him.

In the classroom, Maceo speaks thoughtfully and from the heart. He embraces the challenge of looking deeply at controversial or complex topics and encourages his peers to do the same. When he is passionate about something, he expresses himself openly and invites others to share their perspectives; even those that differ from his own. While he pushes himself academically, he also lets his personal interests shape his learning. After discovering a love for art as a freshman, Maceo continued to take electives that allowed him to grow his skills and pursue what brings him joy. His positivity and encouragement uplift his classmates during class, and his artwork is often displayed on the fourth floor for everyone to admire.

Maceo greets faculty and classmates alike with warmth and sincerity and is almost always seen with a smile on his face. His teachers describe him as a “charismatic, very kind, and warm-hearted young man who genuinely cares about others.” As a member of the football team, he faces each week’s challenges with dedication and perseverance. Coaches have helped him recognize his importance to the team, encouraging him to grow not only as a player, but also as a confident and positive leader.

We are incredibly proud of the progress, maturity, and growth Maceo has shown over the past four years. For these reasons, we recognize Maceo Watkins ’26 as this week’s Viking of the Week and cannot wait to see where his journey takes him next.