O’Neal Middle School Honors Character, Commitment, and Excellence at 2025 Awards Ceremony
The 2025 Middle School Awards Ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 20th, and was presided over by Head of Middle School Elizabeth Sager. The event recognized not only academic achievement but also the character, creativity, and commitment that define what it means to be a Falcon.
The ceremony opened with a powerful reminder: “Success isn’t only measured in grades or accolades. It’s found in every effort you put in, the character you show, and the way you treat each other.” At O’Neal, character counts—and this year, students demonstrated the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
Students were first recognized for their participation in a wide range of school activities, including:
- Science Olympiad
- Battle of the Books
- Student Life Committees
- School Performances (The Little Mermaid)
- Athletics
A special moment was reserved for two students who have been part of the O’Neal family since Pre-K. These students have grown up on O’Neal’s campus, embodying its values and traditions for 11 years. Congratulations to Brennen Ducker and Timmy Hu.
Departmental awards were presented to students who demonstrated exceptional growth, curiosity, and dedication:
- World Language: Jack Browning
- Performing Arts: Adalyn Pohlmeyer
- Science: Dahlia Cloninger
- History: Neelix McLaurin
- English: Katarina Davis
- Math: Liam Enslin
- Head of School Gallery Art: Marley Pace
Jack Browning was recognized as receiving the prestigious Helen B. Holmberg Scholarship, which covers 75% of annual tuition for all four years of attending The O’Neal Upper School.
O’Neal Citizenship Awards recognize students who consistently show kindness, responsibility, and respect:
- 5th Grade: Collin Ames
- 6th Grade: Emma Garrison
- 7th Grade: Abigail Schupp
- 8th Grade: Marley Pace
The O’Neal Award is presented to students who embody integrity, leadership, service, and academic excellence:
- 5th Grade: Emma Ayers
- 6th Grade: Rafe Hardee
- 7th Grade: Lainey Murphy
- 8th Grade: Natalia Henderson
The J. Gardiner Dodd Award was presented to Joelle Cole for demonstrating perseverance and academic growth.
The James R. Miles Award was presented to Keelie Bosworth for demonstrating unselfishness, enthusiasm, and school spirit.
As the ceremony concluded, students were reminded that their growth, effort, and spirit are what truly define success. “To our Falcons—continue soaring. Keep building the strong foundation of character and courage that you’ve started to develop this year. We are proud of each and every one of you.”
The O'Neal School
The O'Neal School admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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