Class of ’25s Most Valuable Eagle

Most Valuable Eagle: an annual award at Godwin High School where staff and students vote for a student figure of the current senior class who they believe has shown overall kindness, leadership, and a strong work ethic throughout their years attending this school. 

For the class of 2025, the student who consistently displayed these personable characteristics was Davis Hollister: SCA Council member and marching band drum major. Hollister was among four other candidates for the MVE award: Roman Bernard, Ella Grace Barbier, Molly Chapman, and Lev Nagel- who have all also shown such qualities, but through Hollister’s great Godwin pride and involvement in the school’s activities, he’s been conferred this honorable award.

“Hard-working, dedicated, and committed” are the words Derek Ramsey, Godwin Band Director, expressed about Hollister’s notable qualities. Hollister was one of two people, the other being senior Bridget Flynn, who earned the drum major position for the Godwin Marching Band. 

Throughout Hollister’s involvement in the Godwin band, he gained a good relationship with Ramsey and has shown clear signs of confidence and capability. To get to a position such as drum major takes the qualities of a leader, and from the words of Ramsey, “he demonstrated his ability to be a leader without a formal position, and then when he came into the role he had the confidence and poise and abilities to be an [good] influence on those around him.” 

Christine Fields, Hollister’s previous AP Language and Composition teacher, gave positive remarks on Hollister’s impact on those around him. “[During class conversations,] sometimes you get crickets in response. Davis would often fill the void and give his comment, or his feedback, or ask important questions, so he was always helping to progress the conversation in the classroom.” 

Davis Hollister’s mother, Amy Hollister, reached out and gave her perspective as Davis Hollister’s caregiver, expressing how he possessed and displayed the characteristics held by the Most Valuable Eagle. 

A role in SCA, theater performances, and marching band have all brought heavy responsibilities and demanded resolute effort, but according to Amy Hollister, he has always enjoyed and excelled in all of these extracurriculars. 

“Davis’ strong work ethic comes from his passion. He gets really excited about student government projects, and theater and band performances, and sets high standards of excellence for himself and others because he is so motivated by what he knows can be achieved by everyone giving their best”, said Amy Hollister. 

Davis Hollister’s personability and extrovertedness have also been a driving factor in his being awarded Most Valuable Eagle. His kindness and warmth were traits he carried growing up, and Amy Hollister explains this. 

“Since Davis was young, he’s had a positive way of engaging with others. He has a way of getting a laugh, making folks smile, brightening the room, and making people feel comfortable. He checks on those in need, he’ll write [an] encouraging note or give [an] unexpected gift.”

Hollister’s peers described him as “outgoing”, “welcoming”, and “congenial” when asked about him.

On stage as an actor, on the field as drum major, and in the classroom as a student, Davis Hollister has earned respect from staff and students alike as an honorable member of the Godwin Community. 

During convocation, when Hollister was announced as the Most Valuable Eagle, the first thanks given by him was to his peers. “To everyone who said hi to me in the hallways … Thank you.  It means the world to me.”