COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - From Bull Street to Rockefeller Plaza, WIS alum Craig Melvin made his anchor debut on the ‘Today’ show Monday morning.

Melvin’s family members, former teachers and colleagues all came together at Columbia High School to surprise him with a celebration fit for a hometown hero.

It’s safe to say Craig was shocked.

Standing right beside WIS’ very own Rick Henry was Melvin’s middle school principal, Dr. Carlos Smith.

“When he was a student he was an exceptional student,” Smith said. “Typical middle school student — a lot of energy. But, if I had a word to describe him it was precocious. He seemed mature beyond his years in certain aspects of school life.”

Melvin’s high school guidance counselor, Sandra Carroll, said she remembered first talking with Craig about his career goals.

“He was gonna look at a major that was going to take him into politics and then he said if I don’t do that, then I want to do something in television,” Carroll said.

Now, Melvin is in one of the most coveted roles in television news.

But, as Craig says — it would’ve never been possible without the support of his hometown.

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