VIDALIA — Surprised isn’t the word Deondrais Boxley uses to describe his reaction after receiving the Sidney A. Murray Good Citizenship Award.

The Vidalia Junior High School sixth-grade student won the award twice already — once in first grade and again in fifth grade.

“I was more excited than surprised,” Boxley said. “Since I got it last year, and I’ve been trying my best in school, I kind of knew I might get it again.”

The annual award is based on good citizenship and given to students in each grade level at each school throughout the year.

Teachers recommend students for the award based on good behavior and grades in the classroom.

Boxley said earlier this month he and two other students were called into the office one morning and told to go wait outside the school.

“We walked out to the billboard in front of the school and at first didn’t even notice that our names were on it,” Boxley said. “One of the teachers said something, and we looked up and saw our names on the billboard.

“We were all very excited.”

Boxley was also recognized at the Concordia Parish School Board’s November meeting and presented with a certificate.

As Boxley walked to greet Superintendent Paul Nelson, the 11-year-old student had an entire speech prepared basing his experience off what happened last year.

“Last year, they called you up, gave you the certificate and asked if you wanted to say anything,” Boxley said. “I didn’t say anything last year, so I really wanted to say something this time.

“But when I got up there, they never asked me, so I didn’t get to say anything.”

Boxley said he was going to thank Jesus and his family for making him who he is today and his teachers for picking him to receive the award.

“All the credit goes to God and my family,” Boxley said. “They’re the reason for all of this.”

When he’s not being recognized for his good behavior, Boxley said he works hard in his favorite subject — math.

“I really enjoying learning all the different problems and everything,” he said. “I just started liking it recently, but I’m not sure if I’ll do something with it.

“I want to go to college to become a doctor or a lawyer.”

Boxley is also a member of 4-H and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Boxley is the son of Delisha Boxley and Chavo Thomas and is the grandson of Lucille and Charles Boxley all of Vidalia.