Smithfield Selma High football standout Tion Mickens has been selected to play in the East West All-Star Game. Mickens, who is a graduate in the Class of 2018, is the first SSS Spartan to play in the East West game since 1989.
Tion is slated to start as a slot receiver in the game. He has signed to play football at Livingstone College this Fall.
“Tion is an amazing young man. He is a true representation of hard work and sticking to your grind can afford you,” said SSS Football Coach Mike Parrish. “The SSS family is extremely proud of this young man and he is the epitome of what high school athletics are all about. He was not handed anything and has busted his tail his entire life and it’s finally reaping the Harvest.”
Tion has always been active in the local community. While at SSS he spoke to elementary schools classrooms, helped tutor elementary students and even served as a big brother to Coach Parrish’s 11 year-old son who has Down Syndrome.
SSS Principal David Allen said, “We are extremely proud of all of Tion’s hard work on and off the field. He is a role model for our school and represents the kind of graduate that the SSStrong feeder pattern of schools embodies.”
“I think the entire community should be proud of him and he is the perfect example that your environment does not define you, you define your environment! The SSS community, coaching staff, athletics department, and the football program are extremely proud of Tion,” Coach Parrish said. Coach Parrish’s wife, Renee “Momma” Parrish added, “Our family loves you and are so proud of your efforts and determination. Congratulations son you made it!”
The East West All-Star Football Game will be played tonight (Wednesday) at 8:00pm at Jamieson Stadium in Greensboro, NC.
