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:

President: Sloane Craven
Vice President: Laxmi Byrne
Secretary: Sunny Woods
8th Grade Reps: Blake Gross, Duncan Hicklin, Grace Moore, Elise Peek
7th Grade Reps: Elizabeth Ballew, Maggie Coggiola, Everett Martin, Penelope Morgan
6th Grade Reps: Matt Bedingfield, Robin Brown, Lily Dreissen, Gabriella Mixon, Reagan Rowley

A special thanks was extended to Dr. Rich Edwards, who advised the council with dedication and care.

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

5th: Magda Paluszkiewicz & William Harrison
6th: Emily Titus & Ryan Ye
7th: Patrick Horan & Carter Lindsay
8th: Cammie Jones & Sahana Motilalnehru

Chorus Awards

5th: Virginia Flowers & Daniel Potylicki-Favor
6th: Hudson Riddle & Ellie Dhar
7th: Avery Meekins & Maggie Coggiola
8th: Mayzie Winburn & Dylan Plyler

Drama Awards

5th: Stella Sofer & Holly Stone
6th: Annsley Ravenell & Davis Lunsford
7th: Virginia Jones & Nicholas Gatson
8th: Sally Smith & Larry Holmes

Visual Arts Awards

5th: Cadence Wells & Michael Hsu
6th: Cece Wu & Gus Winburn
7th: Margo Grigg & Samuel Grossman
8th: Lainie Lewis & Jude Ames

Digital Design Awards

7th: Mia Wheeler & Grant Slayton
8th: Joye Harari & Aidan Gatson

Academic Excellence and School Spirit

The SCISA George Grice Award was presented to outstanding 8th graders who excelled academically and demonstrated exceptional character:

Roan Cothran, Blake Gross, Luke Greer, Hayley Hicklin, Beatrice Jones, Cammie Jones, Josh Martin, Elsie Peek, Sunny Woods

Grade-level teams also recognized students who exemplified scholarship and spirit throughout the year:

5th Grade

Educator’s Award: Lukas Barry & Mary Bates Cooper
Spirit Award: Blake Brown & Holly Stone

6th Grade

Educator’s Award: Elleigh Quinn & James McVey
Spirit Award: Hudson Riddle & Mills Doty

7th Grade

Educator’s Award: Everett Martin & Emma Kates
Spirit Award: Laxmi Byrne & Landon Baker

8th Grade

Educator’s Award: Lainie Lewis & Aidan Gatson
Spirit Award: Sloane Craven & Christian Nelson

Special Awards Reflect Core Values
Several prestigious awards were presented to students who best embody Heathwood Hall’s values of perseverance, compassion, and community:

Sue Swick Humanitarian Award
Honoring empathy and a commitment to others:
Mia Wheeler & Nicholas Gatson

Bonnie Bruner Power of Perseverance Award
Recognizing resilience and determination:

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
Honoring kindness, integrity, and grace:
Mayzie Winburn & Tate Woods

Gratitude for Faculty and Farewells
The ceremony concluded with heartfelt tributes to three faculty members who are transitioning from the Middle School:

Susan MacRae, retiring after a distinguished career in science education
Chris McDuffie, shifting into a new role as Director of Extended Programs
Lesa Steedly, retiring after years of passionate teaching and student mentorship

Each was recognized for their lasting contributions to Heathwood and the lives of countless students.

A Message of Hope and Purpose

In her closing remarks, Assistant Head of School Suzanne Nagy reflected on the spirit of the day and shared a message on behalf of Head of School Chris Hinchey. She encouraged students to celebrate their achievements, recognize their growth, and continue becoming people of integrity and purpose.

“Find yourself. Improve yourself. Remember you are perfectly made just as you are… Be good people. Happy summer!”

For photos, please visit SmugMug.