TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – For 32 weeks this school year, we’ve shared some of the best and brightest senior student athletes across the Big Bend and South Georgia. Wednesday night, 34 Scholar Athletes, representing 20 different high schools from 12 counties were recognized at our Scholar Athlete banquet, and two received the ultimate honor, Scholar Athlete of the Year.
“This event was absolutely amazing and to hear my name called is such an honor,” said Amanda Thompson, our female Scholar Athlete of the Year winner. Walker Elrod took home the honor for the boys.
“I’m excited to get this opportunity,” he said. “I think it’s a great think what you do and what the people that sponsor you do. I think it’s awesome.”
Thompson is a softball player from St. John Paul II, who graduates as Valedictorian with a 4.39 GPA. She’s headed to Harvard to play for the Crimson.
“Even though it might sound intimidating to be Valedictorian, to go to an Ivy league schools, to have an 4.0+ GPA, it might seem initimidating and it might seem hard, but you can do hard things.”
Elrod is a seven-time cross country and track state champion from Grace Christian. He graduates Valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA and will run for the Air Force Academy, Grace’s first ever Division I signee.
“Everyone can be the conquerer of their own world,” he said. “Everyone can do anything they want to as long as you put your mind to it. All you have to do is take that first step. You can accomplish anything you want to. The only one preventing you from doing that is yourself.”
Each received a $1000 scholarship from Blue Coast Federal Credit Union.
“Girl this is going to buy my dorm stuff, this is going to buy my books, all that,” laughed Thompson.
“Any service academy is full scholarship, so I don’t have to pay for anything,” said Elrod. “Probably something golf related or running shoes.”
The average GPA for our Scholar Athletes this year was a 4.09.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.