By Marie Mulvenna

Conyers percussionist par excellence, Mike Cebulski will be happily doing “his thing” at both the famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and at the colorful Rose Bowl Parade held yearly in Pasadena. Calif.

Mike, a senior at Rockdale County High School,, and a member of St. Pius X parish in Conyers, in one of two Georgia students selected for the national All-American band. Mike’s reaction to the honor was, as his mother described, “complete shock.” He was unaware that his name had been entered into the national selection process and is now eagerly anticipating his visit to the New York parade.

Mike is percussion section leader in the school band, a member of the marching band, symphonic band, jazz ensemble and pep band. In addition to his musical involvement at the school, Mrs. Cebulski says Mike is “into everything.” She listed only a few of his activities which include the Beta Club, French Club and membership on the Student Council.

He somehow also finds time to play with the Emory wind ensemble and was recently accepted in the Rudimental Drum Corps. Mike’s been studying percussion for six years now and has set his sights on a future in music with definite plans to enter Georgia State this fall, majoring in percussion. He even has further sights set on obtaining his doctorate in the field as well.

When Mike flies back to Atlanta from his visit to New York, he will enjoy one day, and perhaps some leftover turkey, with his family and then will enplane for Chicago for a one-week stay, a prize he garnered recently in a 4-H contest, in which he entered in the natural category of percussion. Then in January it’s off again for California.

Mike has also won numerous awards at solo and ensemble festivals and each year has won a seat in the Georgia All-State Band, last year attaining the coveted first chair post at All-State. Mike’s band director at Rockdale County High School, Roland Mouchette, said, “He’s the finest musician I have ever had the pleasure to teach.”

One of eight children, Mike’s musical prowess seems to be contagious as his sister Mary is the organist each week at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hapeville.

Although the rest of the Cebulski family will not be flying to New York, nor Pasadena, with their son, they will certainly be joined by family and friends glued to the television set watching him in action.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Cebulski of Conyers, Mike is also the nephew of Monsignor Eusebius Beltran of St. Anthony’s and Father Joseph Beltran of Corpus Christi, Stone Mountain.