News 13 awards Scholar Athletes of the Year
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — After another school year of honoring standout student-athletes across the Panhandle, WMBB News 13 has named its 2024-2025 Scholar Athletes of the Year.
This year's Scholar Athletes of the Year are Gillian Peaden of North Bay Haven Charter Academy and Jackson Welch of Malone High School.
As part of the annual honor, both Peaden and Welch received a $1,000 scholarship courtesy of the attorneys of Perry & Young P.A. and WMBB News 13.
Both seniors were recognized not only for their excellence in sports but also for their academic achievements and leadership on campus.
Peaden was a leader on North Bay Haven's girls weightlifting team, helping the Buccaneers become one of the top programs in the region. She finished her senior season as a state champion, capping off a decorated high school career.
In the classroom, Peaden maintained high academic standards, earning admission to the University of Florida. However, she plans to begin her college journey locally at Gulf Coast State College while continuing to compete in weightlifting at the national level.
'There were times when I was supposed to work out and I just told Paille, 'Hey, I really need to study,'' Peaden said. 'I had gym third period and a test fourth period. I'd reschedule my workout, but my grades had to come first.'
Welch, the valedictorian of Malone High School, has been a four-year starter on the Tigers boys basketball team and is regarded as one of the top three-point shooters in the Southeast. This fall, he'll join the Chipola College men's basketball program as a preferred walk-on.
Welch said staying disciplined on both ends, academics and athletics, has always been his approach.
'A lot of times guys just want to focus on their sport,' Welch said. 'But to be a true scholar-athlete, you need to put equal time into your studies. It's just as important.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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News 13 awards Scholar Athletes of the Year
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