Middle School Honors Excellence, Character, and Leadership at 2025 Awards Ceremony
On the morning of May 16, 2025, the Heathwood Hall Middle School community gathered in the Athletic Center for one of the most meaningful events of the academic year: the annual Middle School Awards Ceremony. The event, filled with celebration, reflection, and pride, recognized the remarkable accomplishments of students throughout the 2024–2025 school year.
Following a warm welcome from Middle School Head Mr. Glenn DeLaney, the ceremony opened with an inspiring message: that while awards recognize past achievement, they also serve as a reminder of the work still ahead and the growth yet to come. An opening prayer from Reverend Christopher Johnson set a reflective tone, honoring not only the recipients but also the broader community that supports them.
Celebrating Student Leadership
The morning began with recognition of the 2024–2025 Middle School Leadership Council, a group of students who contributed meaningfully to campus life through event planning, announcements, and service.
| Position | Student(s) |
|---|---|
| President | Sloane Craven |
| Vice President | Laxmi Byrne |
| Secretary | Sunny Woods |
| 8th Grade Representatives | Blake Gross, Duncan Hicklin, Grace Moore, Elise Peek |
| 7th Grade Representatives | Elizabeth Ballew, Maggie Coggiola, Everett Martin, Penelope Morgan |
| 6th Grade Representatives | Matt Bedingfield, Robin Brown, Lily Dreissen, Gabriella Mixon, Reagan Rowley |
Excellence in the Arts
The arts have flourished at Heathwood this year, and several students were honored for their achievements in music, performance, visual arts, and digital design:
Band Awards
| Grade | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 5th | Magda Paluszkiewicz & William Harrison |
| 6th | Emily Titus & Ryan Ye |
| 7th | Patrick Horan & Carter Lindsay |
| 8th | Cammie Jones & Sahana Motilalnehru |
Chorus Awards
| Grade | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 5th | Virginia Flowers & Daniel Potylicki-Favor |
| 6th | Hudson Riddle & Ellie Dhar |
| 7th | Avery Meekins & Maggie Coggiola |
| 8th | Mayzie Winburn & Dylan Plyler |
Drama Awards
| Grade | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 5th | Stella Sofer & Holly Stone |
| 6th | Annsley Ravenell & Davis Lunsford |
| 7th | Virginia Jones & Nicholas Gatson |
| 8th | Sally Smith & Larry Holmes |
Visual Arts Awards
| Grade | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 5th | Cadence Wells & Michael Hsu |
| 6th | Cece Wu & Gus Winburn |
| 7th | Margo Grigg & Samuel Grossman |
| 8th | Lainie Lewis & Jude Ames |
Digital Design Awards
| Grade | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 7th | Mia Wheeler & Grant Slayton |
| 8th | Joye Harari & Aidan Gatson |
The Heathwood Hall Approach
Academic Excellence and School Spirit
SCISA George Grice Award
Recognizing 8th graders for academic excellence and exceptional character:
Roan Cothran, Blake Gross, Luke Greer, Hayley Hicklin, Beatrice Jones, Cammie Jones, Josh Martin, Elsie Peek, Sunny Woods
Grade-Level Awards
| Grade | Educator’s Award | Spirit Award |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Grade | Lukas Barry & Mary Bates Cooper | Blake Brown & Holly Stone |
| 6th Grade | Elleigh Quinn & James McVey | Hudson Riddle & Mills Doty |
| 7th Grade | Everett Martin & Emma Kates | Laxmi Byrne & Landon Baker |
| 8th Grade | Lainie Lewis & Aidan Gatson |
Sloane Craven & Christian Nelson |
Special Awards Reflect Core Values
Sue Swick Humanitarian Award:
Mia Wheeler & Nicholas Gatson — Honoring empathy and a commitment to others
Bonnie Bruner Power of Perseverance Award:
| Grade | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 5th Grade | Graelyn Novak & Townsend Prevost |
| 6th Grade | Eliza Ferguson & Thompson Kimbrough |
| 7th Grade | Alice Ballou & Sawyer Tevepaugh |
| 8th Grade | MacKenzie Wilson & Duncan Hicklin |
Robin B. McLeod Civility Award:
Mayzie Winburn & Tate Woods — Honoring kindness, integrity, and grace
Gratitude for Faculty and Farewells
We extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to three dedicated faculty members:
- Susan MacRae — Retiring after a distinguished career in science education
- Chris McDuffie — Transitioning to a new role as Director of Extended Programs
- Lesa Steedly — Retiring after years of passionate teaching and mentorship
Their legacy at Heathwood will remain in the hearts of students and colleagues alike.
A Message of Hope and Purpose
In her closing remarks, Assistant Head of School Suzanne Nagy shared words from Head of School Chris Hinchey:
“Find yourself. Improve yourself. Remember you are perfectly made just as you are…
Be good people. Happy summer!”