Hoquiam Lions Club celebrated quite a lot on Tuesday, including two of Hoquiam High School’s bright young stars.

Hoquiam High School Principal Brock Maxfield looked proud as he stood up with Hoquiam High School’s Lions Club Students of the Month award recipients for March 2023 — seniors Carron Blood and Alejandro Atwell.

Each month there is a student of the month — one for girls and one for boys — and while grade point average is included, character is important, as well.

Maxfield, in addition to talking of the potential for each student, highlighted one of Blood’s noteworthy skills as a girls’ fastpitch softball hitter.

“If you have ever see her hit the ball … she crushes it,” said Maxfield, who added he wouldn’t want to be fielding at third base if Blood came up to bat.

Outside of Blood’s ability to slam softballs, she does other things, including: cooking lunch for the Hoquam Lions Club and working at Chenois Creek Horse Rentals. Blood also enjoys the art of photography and shopping.

“I like to shop for shoes, and clothes,” Blood said to the room of at least 100 attendees.

Blood plans on attending Grays Harbor College, where she aims to play on the softball team. Her academic plans include majoring in business and then pursuing a job in human resources, but she might also pursue a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school.

Atwell said his favorite subject is history.

“It’s interesting to learn about past events,” Atwell told his principal and the crowd, which included Rudy Spanich, who was celebrating his 100th birthday and 65 years as a Hoquiam Lion.

Atwell said he likes to cook burgers, play and watch sports, brewing coffee and woodworking. He also likes to camp and paddleboard near Randle.

Atwell admitted he’s not too sure about his future plans, but said he’d like to either attend Grays Harbor College, or pursue a trade.

Maxfield championed his two star students.

“They’re a great group of kids,” Maxfield said.

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.