As a young student at Cardinal Shehan School over ten years ago, Michael Bell was awarded his first PIE Scholarship. The scholarship covered less than 20% of the tuition cost at the time, but it was certainly a difference-making amount. In a PIE video produced four years ago, Michael spoke briefly about the moment he became a PIE Scholar.
“At a time when my family could not fully afford my Catholic education, amazing people like you invested their hard-earned money into me so I could continue my education in a Catholic environment,” he shared.
Knowing that he had the support of not just his family and friends, but also a broader, caring community, Michael was fully motivated to do his best. This included a growing desire to give back.
As a middle schooler at 
Cardinal Shehan, Michael was always willing to help promote PIE. On one occasion, he and his mother accompanied the PIE team to Constellation offices in Baltimore for a ‘Lunch-and-Learn’ about PIE. Michael was a highlight, speaking with passion and clarity about his education at Cardinal Shehan, his dreams for the future, and how being a PIE Scholar supported both.
In the spring of 2020, Michael graduated from Cardinal Shehan and was accepted into Calvert Hall College High School. While there, he tried out for and made the football team, and his natural skill at communication and public speaking led to him becoming the voice of Calvert Hall. Over a couple of years, Michael’s voice could be heard on radio and other commercial platforms promoting the high school.
During his time at Calvert Hall, Michael excelled on the football field and in the classroom. A consistent honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society, Michael was named a Scholar-Athlete by the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Foundation this spring. As he completed his high school tenure, his final accolade when graduating a few weeks ago was being named his class’s salutatorian.
“I am a student-athlete, and I have always taken pride in achieving greatness on and off the field,” Michael shared with us.
When asked about one key lesson that he has learned from his 15 years of Catholic education, Michael shared, “We are called by God to be servant leaders. The most effective way to serve others is through leadership and sacrifice.”
Michael is bringing this lesson, and many others, with him to college this fall. He will be attending Howard University where he will play football and study journalism.
At that Constellation ‘Lunch-and-Learn’ years ago, Michael spoke about his dream of playing in the NFL, a goal he continues to pursue with dedication and pas
sion. But what of his passion for communications and public speaking? “I plan on being an NFL sports analyst after my NFL career,” Michael said. Considering Michael’s track record, we won’t be betting against him!
At the end of the PIE video Michael appeared in four years ago, he said, “When you invest in PIE, you are not just investing in a student, but a truly bright future.”
And a bright future is something Michael surely has.