Five of Savannah’s elite 8th grade student-athletes were honored on Thursday morning at Forsyth Park. The DeWitt Award, presented by the Exchange Club of Savannah, annually celebrates the area’s top eighth graders by tabbing students who excel in academics, community service and athletics.
It’s the fourth year of the award, which is named for its founder, Savannah native David DeWitt. DeWitt and others awarded the five winners this year at a ceremony held in Forsyth.
The five winners this year are: Amani Washington (Female Public School Athlete – Georgetown), Sebastian Garcia (Male Public School Athlete – STEM Academy), Talia Johnson (Female Private School Athlete – Calvary Day), Stephen Cannon (Male Private School Athlete – Savannah Country Day) and Asher Herrin (Male Private School Athlete – Hancock Day School).
Photo (l-r): Sebastian Garcia (Male Public School Athlete – STEM Academy), Amani Washington (Female Public School Athlete – Georgetown), Asher Herrin (Male Private School Athlete – Hancock Day School), Talia Johnson (Female Private School Athlete – Calvary Day), and Stephen Cannon (Male Private School Athlete – Savannah Country Day)
Nominees for the award are submitted by area athletic directors and coaches, and a candidate pool of student-athletes excelling in each category (Academics, Community Involvement, Athletics) is collected and narrowed down to five winners.
For information on the DeWitt Award, including its history, previous winners, criteria for judging and more, visit www.savathleteofyear.com.
Photo (l-r): Asher Herrin, David DeWitt, Stephen Cannon
2022 DEWITT AWARD WINNERS
ASHER HERRIN – HANCOCK DAY – MALE PRIVATE SCHOOL ATHLETE
ACADEMICS: 4.0 GPA
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Volunteers with PACK, helping with childhood hunger, working with kids at a camp at his church and helping at Top Soccer giving lessons to kids in need.
ATHLETICS: In football, Asher played wingback and cornerback and had eight touchdowns … In basketball, he averaged 14 points, four assists, eight rebounds and two steals … In golf, shot 39 in nine hole match play as No. 2 seed in SPAL championships … Plays soccer for MLS Next at Tormenta FC and led HDS soccer team to an undefeated 8-0 regular season and runner-up tournament finish.
QUOTE: “Asher is unselfish to a fault. Asher elevates the play & spirits of not only his teammates but his coaches as well.”
STEPHEN CANNON – SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY – MALE PRIVATE SCHOOL ATHLETE
ACADEMICS: 88.4 GPA
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Volunteer coach at Jenkins Athletic Club and Second Harvest Food Bank
ATHLETICS: Quarterback for back-to-back SPAL championship football team. Threw 14 touchdown passes. Team captain of the SCDS championship basketball team and received the "Hornet Award" … In track, won the 800m and set a school record with a time of 2:23.09. Finished third in the 400m (57.16) and second in the long jump (17'11").
QUOTE: “Stephen is a humble servant-leader with a relentless work ethic.”
SEBASTIAN GARCIA – STEM ACADEMY – MALE PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETE
ACADEMICS: 83.0 GPA (while taking 4 high school classes)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Volunteers with his church, spending time serving children.
ATHLETICS: Led his cross country team to a second place finish in the City Championship … Led the STEM basketball team in steals and rebounds and was the team's best defender … Led his team to a city soccer championship and was named the league MVP.
QUOTE: "Sebastian is a perfect example of a leader through his actions and deeds."
TALIA JOHNSON – CALVARY DAY – FEMALE PRIVATE SCHOOL ATHLETE
ACADEMICS: B Average
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Works with her club volleyball team, putting on clinics with younger kids. Volunteers in her neighborhood serving older residents.
ATHLETICS: Volleyball team leader in kills … As only an eighth grader, she was the leading rebounder on the CDS junior varsity basketball team which finished the season with a 12-0 record … She was a member of the winning 4x400 relay team at the track finals and also finished second as a member of the 4x100 relay and long jump teams.
QUOTE: “She is the type of kid who lights up the room with her smile and every response is ‘yes, sir’ or ‘no, sir’. She will do anything a coach asks, and is someone who leads quietly. A good student who is always doing what she should and is on the right track. Very conscientious and wants to succeed.”
AMANI WASHINGTON – GEORGETOWN – FEMALE PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETE
ACADEMICS: 93 GPA. Honor Roll student while taking 9th grade honors English & Algebra.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Volunteered with "Read Across America" & "Jump Rope For Heart.” She serves in her church as well.
ATHLETICS: Starter and captain for the volleyball, basketball and soccer teams at Georgetown K-8 … She was selected to the SCCPSS All-Star basketball team … She only allowed five goals in soccer as the goalkeeper all season.
QUOTE: “Amani is a leader on and off the field. She is respectful, responsible and caring of her teammates. Amani is a role model to our 6th and 7th grade athletes."
Photos - Bunny in the City (Bunny Ware)
FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
