Winners were recently named as the 2025 recipients of the ninth annual DeWitt Awards as the top public and private school 8th grade athletes in Chatham County.
David DeWitt started the awards, which are presented by the the Exchange Club of Savannah.
Eighth-grade student athletes are nominated by their coaches, principals and athletic directors based on athletic and academic achievements, sportsmanship and community service.
The winners this year are Sutton Meece of the Garrison School for the Arts, Saige Walker of Calvary Day, Ba’Nari Mells of Oglethorpe Charter School, Malachi Golden-Reedy of Oglethorpe Charter School, Matt Gibson of Calvary Day and Kyree Richards of Saint James Catholic School.
Here’s a look at the 2025 DeWitt Award winners.
Public School Female Athlete
Sutton Meece, Garrision School for the Arts
Meece carried a 97.8 GPA and was Garrison’s first five-sport athlete, athletic director Jamie Salas said. She was a standout in cross country, where she was a top-five finisher in all her races, while helping lead her team to a third place finish at state.
In volleyball, she was a team captain as a setter who set a school record with 64 assists, while leading her squad to a second place finish in the city. She was the second leading scorer on the basketball team that won a city title, and also helped lead the soccer team to a city championship, while competing on the track team in the high jump and 4×400 relay team.
She had the lead role in two school plays and is volunteer with the Humane Society, The Savannah Children’s Theatre and with Book Buddy, an organization that helps elementary school students who struggle with reading.
Meece will attend Savannah Arts next year.
Private School Female Athlete
Saige Walker, Calvary Day School
Walker was excellent in the classroom with a 93% GPA and completed her community service hours at Calvary Day.
She was a standout in flag football as a quarterback, receiver, running back and safety, and is also a star on the basketball court as she played on Calvary Day’s high school junior varsity squad as an eighth grader, making an impressive with her defense and scoring ability.
In track and field, she won SPAL titles in the 100 meters, 200 meters, standing long jump and 100 meter relay.
She is headed to Hebron School.
Public School Male Athletes
Ba’Nari Mells, Oglethorpe Charter School
Mells volunteers with youth basketball and football leagues and carried a 80% GPA.
In football, he was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year as a quarterback for a team that went undefeated and won the City Championship. He was also a standout as a linebacker and safety.
He was the point guard who led the undefeated City Championship squad with assists and steals. He was the tournament MVP and also won MVP honors at the Middle School All-Star game.
He was also a member of the soccer team. Mells will attend Jenkins in the fall.
Malachi Golden-Reedy, Oglethorpe Charter School
Golden-Reedy was a star receiver and cornerback for the undefeated football team known for his highlight reel type plays. He had a big interception in the title game.
In basketball, he was the leading scorer and rebounder on the team that was also undefeated on its way to the City Championship. He played in the 8th Grade All-Star Showcase and was one of the MVPs in the championship game.
He carries a GPA of 89%, plays piano at his church and volunteers to help kids at basketball events and at dances with his church. Golden-Reedy is set to attend Calvary Day in the fall.
Private School Male Athletes
Matt Gibson, Calvary Day School
Gibson carried a 98% GPA and earned Student of the Month honors. He also volunteers with teachers and at the concession stand at Calvary sporting events.
In football, he helped lead the Cavaliers to an SPAL championship as he led the squad with 1,544 all-purpose yards, 22 touchdowns and 27 tackles.
He was also a standout on the Calvary Day junior varsity basketball and baseball teams. He will continue on as a freshman at Calvary in the fall.
Kyree Richards, Saint James School
Richards broke his collarbone in football, but scored had five touchdowns in just two games, including a kickoff return for a score.
In basketball he led his team in scoring and steals in three undefeated championship seasons.
In track and field, who won an SPAL title in the long jump and in the high jump with a mark of 5-feet-2 inches.
He volunteers at the Windsor Forest Community Center supporting local events and assisting with yard upkeep.
Richards maintained a ‘B’ average in the classroom and will attend Benedictine in the fall.
2025 DeWitt Award Nominees
Blessed Sacrament — Winnie Estabrook, Liv McNamara, Emily Whittle
Calvary Day — Ansley McIntosh
Coastal Middle School — Thomas Giovannini and Elise Anthony
Georgetown — Sariah Walden
Hancock Day School — Gage Hart, Nicholas Nowell, Nora Phillips
Oglethorpe Charter School — Olivia Blakey
St. James — Brylee Bridges
Savannah Country Day — Virginia Carroll, Lydia Harlander, Jackson Skinner, Zane Hemberg, Owen Edwards, Audrey Nicholson
Savannah Christian — Aidan Darling, Jane Ringham
Savannah Classical Academy — Gerald Pineda-Meave
Stem Academy at Bartlett — Vivian McRae-Fuquay, Demari Perry, Reginald Curry
Tybee Maritime Academy — Callen Ingram, Shelby Thompson, Ty Robertson
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: DeWitt Award winners as top Savannah 8th grade athletes are announced