- Middle School
Middle School Student Excellence Celebrated
This week, awards were presented to middle school students, honoring those who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, leadership, character, and commitment to academic excellence. The event celebrated young men who have distinguished themselves in various disciplines and areas of school life, from academics and the arts to citizenship and community service.
Students were also recognized for their exceptional performance in specific subjects such as science, math, languages, art, music, and public speaking. Leadership appointments to the McCallie Senate and membership in the Middle Men service organization were also announced, reflecting the school’s commitment to developing intellect and character.
McCallie celebrates all of this year’s award recipients and thanks them for their positive contributions to the school community.
John Strang Award – Drew Peterson
The John "Bud" Strang Award honors an 8th-grade student who shares Bud's sense of humor, generosity of spirit, and dedicated faith in God.
American Legion Citizenship Award – Niyam Tejani
Presented to the 8th-grade student who possesses the high qualities of courage, honor, and leadership.
DAR Youth Citizenship Award – AJ Gupta
This award is presented to an 8th-grade student who exemplifies honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism.
Distinguished Student Award – Praketh Bathi, Yahir Calmo Calmo, and Jack Sokohl
This award honors an 8th-grade student who has distinguished himself in his classes for his exemplary work ethic. It is not necessarily a reflection of high grades, but of those qualities that enhance learning for the student, his teacher, and his classmates. This award is chosen by the faculty.
T.E.P. Woods Academic Medal of Excellence Awards:
6th Grade – Jeffrey Stubblefield
7th Grade – Everett Campbell
8th Grade – AJ Gupta and Niyam Tejani
This award is presented to the student in each middle school grade who achieves the highest cumulative grade point average for the year.
Senate Representatives:
2024-25 – Yahir Calmo Calmo, Thomas Dixon, AJ Gupta, and Hudson Monroe
2025-26 – Henry Caldwell, Alex Faler, William George, and Tuck Lehn
2025-26 Freshman Day Student Representative – AJ Gupta
A member of the Senate should be above reproach. He displays honesty and truthfulness in his lifestyle. His integrity should be a model for all to emulate. He speaks the truth with his heart and will not slander another with his mouth. His work ethic and demeanor will be an example for all to follow.
Physical Science Award – Nathan Schaefer
This award is presented to the 8th-grade student who demonstrates academic excellence and extraordinary interest in the 8th-grade science course.
Intro to Physics Award – AJ Gupta
This award is given to the student who consistently endeavors to strive for the highest level of achievement, shows a genuine interest in the area of physics, and has demonstrated an excellent understanding of the material.
Mathematical Achievement Award – William Arnold, Drew Peterson, and Niyam Tejani
The Mathematical Achievement Award is presented to those students who have demonstrated consistent mastery of mathematical topics as well as a general love of the subject.
English Award – AJ Gupta
This award is presented to the 8th-grade student whose work in the overall study of English has been outstanding. Not only has he excelled in the areas of grammar, vocabulary, and literature, but he has also evidenced a genuine talent and passion for the written word.
DAR History Award – Thomas Ireland
This award is presented to an outstanding history student who ranks in the top 5% of the 8th-grade history course.
Art II Award – Jack Deihl
This award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in Art II.
Drama Award for Best Actor – Thomas Dixon
The Drama Award is given to recognize the 8th-grade student showing potential and commitment in Theater Arts.
Music Awards:
Instrumentalist –Thomas Dixon
Guitarist – Deaglan Roach
Strings – Drew Felker
Choral – Cooper Brooks
Handbells – Sam Harris and Porter O’Shaughnessy
Public Speaking – Zeq Centurion
This award is presented to the student who has demonstrated teamwork and honorable character in the development of professional communication skills and creative improvisation.
Chinese Award – Eli McBryar
The Chinese award recognizes the student who has demonstrated great determination in learning the written and spoken language and has shown a tremendous improvement over the last two years of study.
Spanish 1B Award – Liam Tabibiazar
The recipient of this award demonstrates strikingly impressive skills in Spanish. Along with his strong work habits, his oral, aural, and written abilities are remarkable. He shows definite promise for gaining complete fluency in Spanish.
Latin Award – William Arnold
The Latin Award goes to the student with the highest average and who has demonstrated an enthusiasm for understanding the Classical world.
National Latin Exam Recognition:
Gold Summa Cum Laude – Findley Beasley
Silver Maxima Cum Laude – William Arnold
These students are recognized for scoring above a specified threshold for the Latin Exam.
2024-25 Middle Men – Praketh Bathi, Rhys Coleman, Thomas Dixon, Alex Faler, Drew Felker, Walker Gentry, Cole Griffin, AJ Gupta, Norris Jackson, Mihith Jannapureddy, Jude Kiswani, Hayes Naggar, Porter O'Shaughnessy, Tucker Posey, Niyam Tejani, Jack Tonahill, Lucas Tusa, Bo Valentine, and Hank Wingfield
The Middle Men is a group of young men committed to serving the school and local community by participating in various acts of service. We thank them for their important and positive contribution to McCallie Middle School and our community.
Faculty Recognition List – William Arnold, Rhys Coleman, AJ Gupta, Asher Kean, Milo Martin, Eli McBryar, Wylie Shumate, Tripp Stiles, Liam Tabibiazar, and Niyam Tejani
The Faculty Recognition List honors students who have distinguished themselves in their classes for their exemplary work ethic. Thank you for demonstrating ALL of the following qualities each semester of middle school: active involvement, significant investment of time and energy toward academic goals, enthusiasm about course material, eagerness to explore topics fully, initiative in expressing ideas and in seeking out the tacher’s assistance, reliability and resourcefulness in completing assignments, and punctuality.
Honor Roll List – Tarek Ankar-Burdette, Jacob Arehart, Praketh Bathi, Findley Beasley, Cooper Brooks, Hudson Brown, Noah Cockerham, Nico Devine, Thomas Dixon, Drew Felker, Beau Forrester, Walker Franklin, Keaton Fugate, Cole Griffin, Jackson Hardy, Sam Harris, Mihith Jannapureddy, Jude Kiswani, Kol Lea, Milo Martin, Eli McBryar, Asa Meehan, Hudson Monroe, Edison Olson, Matthew Price, Deaglan Roach, Evan Sanders, Jalen Scruggs, Tripp Stiles, Lucas Tusa, and Hank Wingfield
In recognition of consistent performance in achieving academic excellence during each semester of his middle school career. Very few men are able to set the priorities and maintain the diligence necessary to achieve a 3.5 GPA each semester in middle school.
Head of School List – William Arnold, Ayan Chakraborty, Rhys Coleman, AJ Gupta, Asher Kean, Porter O'Shaughnessy, Drew Peterson, Will Pratt, Wylie Shumate, Liam Tabibiazar, and Niyam Tejani
In recognition of consistent performance in achieving academic excellence during each semester of his middle school career. Very few men are able to set the priorities and maintain the diligence necessary to achieve all A’s each semester in middle school.
Click here to view more MS Awards Day photos.
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