Charlie Marello is Okaloosa County’s Principal of the year for 2023. 

Marello is a Niceville Native and a Niceville High School Alum.

“This gentleman embodies energy, enthusiasm,” Said Superintendent Marcus Chambers, “He’s someone who absolutely cares about the students at the school – to the point where – when you walk down the halls [with him] he knows the students by name.”

“If there’s four nighttime events, you might see him at four nighttime events,” Chambers added about the Eagle Principal. 

Marello started by thanking his wife, Allison, who was a teacher at Niceville High School until he became the principal. “She taught for 18 years in room 622 at Niceville High School,” Marello recounted, “and then, I got promoted and wrecked all of that!” he said with a laugh. “I will always appreciate that sacrifice she made so that I could be the Head Eagle.”

Marello also thanked his administrative team at NHS and his principal buddies. “I don’t always have the answers,” Marello continued, “most days, I don’t have any. But, I have a lot of people I can call on to talk with and get through things.”

Finally, he thanked Superintendent Chambers for bringing him back from Walton County to serve at Niceville High School. Then Assistant Superintendent Chambers recruited Marello to return from Emerald Coast Middle School in Walton County to rule the roost at Niceville High School. 

More About Charlie Marello

Charlie Marello graduated from Niceville High School before attending Okaloosa-Walton Community College (now Northwest Florida State College) and the University of West Florida. 

Every school Marello has led earned an A rating from the Florida Department of Education every year he has been in charge.