Celebrating Academic Excellence, Service, and Leadership: Heathwood Hall’s 2025 Underclassmen Awards Day
On a bright and hopeful morning, the community gathered for an occasion that was anything but ordinary. With parents, faculty, and students assembled, this year’s Underclassmen Awards Day set a high standard—not only for academic achievement, but also for leadership, character, and service.
A Morning of Meaningful Recognition
Upper School Head Dr. George Scouten opened the ceremony with a message that echoed the values at the core of the Heathwood Hall experience: “Today is not just about the awards,” he said, “but about recognizing excellence, celebrating our shared values, and inspiring future achievement.”
From that opening note, the ceremony flowed with heartfelt tributes to students who exemplified the best of Heathwood’s mission.
Celebrating Academic Excellence: Cum Laude Society
Dr. Elisha Sircy began by inducting new members into the prestigious Cum Laude Society, which honors students for academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and rigorous scholarship. This year’s inductees included:
Thompson Adams, Anna Alan, Coles Brown, Carolina Duarte-See, Savannah Gross, Jay Nelson, and Henri Richards.
Honoring Commitment to Service
Elise Hagstette presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award, recognizing students who contributed over 100 hours of community service in the past year. These students exemplified what it means to give back:
9th Grade: Evy Engh, Sam Florence, Maire Hanna, Kasey Quinn, Raye Beth Richardson
10th Grade: Annabelle Brock, Ouita Elliott, Philip Ervin, Catherine Jowers, Annie Liu, Elliott Murphy, and Logan Wells
11th Grade: Thompson Adams, Anna Alan, Ginger Barker, John Florence, Nadia Howard, Jay Nelson, Thomas Scurry, Walt Suber, Scott Thomas, and Reston Wood
A Changing of the Guard: Student Council Induction
In a touching moment of transition, outgoing Student Council President Sellers McGee welcomed his successor, James Richardson, with words of admiration and confidence. James accepted the Oath of Office and introduced next year’s Executive Council:
- Vice President: Henry Morris
- Secretary: Anna Alan
- Treasurer: Pierce Hutchinson
- Commissioner of Student Activities: Mady Rutter
J. Robert Shirley Awards: Honoring Determination
Presented by Sally Plowden, the J. Robert Shirley Award recognizes students in each grade who exemplify perseverance and dedication to classroom excellence:
- 9th Grade: Evy Engh
- 10th Grade: Bonnie Pope
- 11th Grade: Grace Tuller
College Book Awards: Recognizing Rising Seniors
A series of esteemed colleges honored students for intellectual promise, leadership, and character. These awards serve as both recognition and encouragement as students prepare for their final year at Heathwood.
- Yale University Book Award – Jay Nelson
- United States Military Academy–West Point Leadership Award – Frances Laughlin
- Washington & Lee University Book Award – Coles Brown
- University of South Carolina Honors College Book Award – Anna Alan
- Smith College Book Award – Savannah Gross
- St. John’s College Book Award – Henri Richards
- Rensselaer Medal (Scholarship Award) – Thompson Adams
Each student was introduced by a representative of their respective sponsoring institution or alumni group, who highlighted the unique blend of scholarship, service, and character embodied by each recipient.
Looking Ahead With Purpose
As the students returned to their seats and the ceremony came to a close, the message of the morning lingered in the air: Heathwood Hall is a place where effort is honored, service is celebrated, and leadership is nurtured. Whether recognized on stage or simply inspired from the audience, every student walked away reminded of the values that define their school—and the promise of what lies ahead.
Congratulations to all the 2024/25 award recipients—and to the entire Heathwood Hall community—for a year of growth, service, and academic excellence.
To view more photo, click here.