Darlington School honored the eighth-grade class on Thursday, May 14, at the Final Assembly in the Johnson-Drummond Amphitheater at Thatcher Hall.
Eighth-graders Carolyn Nida and Jack Eady, both of Rome, received the James Ross McCain Award, the most prestigious award given at the Middle School. Recipients have demonstrated outstanding leadership ability in all areas of school life, but most importantly in the areas of academic, social, physical and spiritual leadership. These students best exemplify the characteristics of honor, independence and integrity, which are fundamentally essential qualities of leadership.
Eighth-graders Ashley Hankinson of Kingston, Ga., and Gibson Hicks of Cave Spring, Ga., received the M. Hugh Merson Memorial Award, given to two students whose pursuit of excellence in all areas of school life best serves as an example to his or her fellow students, and who best represents the virtues of character, which Mr. Hugh Merson sought to instill in his pupils.
Eighth-grader Tommy Atha of Rome received the Robert Walther Jr. Memorial Award, given to a student who has exhibited the strongest degree of concern and respect for his fellow students, and has rendered unselfish service to the School.
Eighth-grader Grace Lester of Rome received the Mary Alice Babcock Memorial Award, given to a student who has demonstrated a compassionate and caring attitude to fellow students, who is helpful, friendly, and thoughtful, and who generally places the welfare of others above his/her own.
Eighth-grader Morgan Ivester of Rome received the Huffman Family Scholarship, established by William M. Huffman Jr. (’67) in honor of William M. Huffman Sr. (’40) and awarded to a rising ninth-grade student who exemplifies academic excellence, character and devotion to the School.
Eighth-grader Rhett McDurmon of Rome received the Raymond Nora Memorial Award, given to football player who best exemplifies leadership, spirit and cooperation.
Eighth-grader Jonathan Pieroni of Rome received the DAR Good Citizenship Medal, given to a student who has exhibited honor, service, leadership, courage and patriotism.
Eighth-graders Annabelle Braden of Silver Creek, Ga., and JD Hull of Rome, received the John W. Maddox Athletic Achievement Award, given to the best all-round athlete.
Eighth-grader Trey Yunger of Cartersville, Ga., received the 8th Grade Citizenship Award, sponsored by TIGER Pride and given by grade level to students who have proved to be an overall friend to the School and its students by loyalty, kindness, attendance, allegiance and other good citizen attitudes.
The following fine arts achievement awards were also given:
Eighth-graders Ashley Hankinson of Kingston, Ga., and Morgan Ivester of Rome, received the Two Years of Drama Award.
Eighth-grader Zuker Campbell of Cedartown, Ga., and Jiniya Trammell of Rome, received the
Middle School Chorus Award.
Eighth-graders Maggie Inman of Rome and Raechel Irby of Acworth, Ga., received the Honor Choir Director's Award.
Eighth-graders Zoe Houser and Riya Patel, both of Rome, received the Honor Choir Musicianship Award.
The following eighth-graders received Art Awards: Hallie Howard and Trey Yunger, both of Cartersville, Ga.; Hayden Baldwin of Centre, Ala.; Anna Kate Cash, Morgan Ivester and Kathryne Ledbetter, all of Rome; and Emily Brandon of Taylorsville, Ga.
