Bodell, Harrison, and Gammel named Rotary Students of the Quarter
THOMASVILLE — The Rotary Club of Thomasville recognized its Students of the Quarter on Thursday afternoon, presenting Ava Bodell of Brookwood, Kinley Harrison of Scholars Academy, and Julianna Gammel with a certificate, allowing them to share information about their future ambitions with the club.
A Senior at Brookwood, Bodell’s high school experience has been shaped by her community and service leadership.
“When I moved from a cosmopolitan, northern city to a small, southern town, I didn’t yet understand how familiarity could create community or how service could be woven into everyday life,” she said.
Bodell said she quickly learned through volunteerism and athletics how impactful a community could be.
“On the field, when I play softball, I’ve grown up seeing familiar faces, whether it’s coaches, family, friends, or teachers; each and every one are part of a community that shows up,” she said. “I’ve experienced that same spirit throughout my time in Thomasville.”
Bodell found that whether she was participating in Brookwood’s 9/11 run alongside the local fire department or just engaging in her everyday routine at school, church, and youth group, it was not about recognition; it was more about being present for others and staying connected.
Beyond softball, Bodell is active on the basketball court, where the Lady Warriors host a food drive.
Bodell explained to the club that it is one of her favorite activities the team partakes in, as she gets to travel to other local schools and engage with those in need while helping her community.
However, she is most appreciative to her school for challenging her academically, personally, and through athletics.
“Whether it’s going outside during class and becoming immersed in the lesson through a different lens or having teachers who genuinely care about you and are always there to help,” Bodell said Brookwood has given her every opportunity to be successful.
She also thanked her parents for their endless support.
As she prepares for her next chapter, Bodell said she would like to pursue marine forensics to better understand and protect marine life.
With a rousing round of applause, Scholars Academy’s Harrison introduced herself.
A Senior at Scholars Academy, Harrison is the reigning Miss Thomasville.
Before her crowning, she was Miss Thomasville’s Teen 2025 and Miss Thomasville’s Teen 1st runner-up in 2024.
“With that platform and that opportunity, I’ve been very blessed to instill leadership skills and personal skills in the child’s mind,” Harrison said.
In her spare time, she is a cheerleader for the Bulldogs and also pursues dance at South Georgia Ballet, where she received a scholarship and has been studying since the first grade.
While at SGB, Harrison has had the opportunity to assist in one of its programs, Special Steps, a dance program for special needs students.
“That kind of gave me a different perspective on life,” Harrison said. “We don’t understand how grateful we are to be given opportunities to move in different ways.”
Harrison thanked the Club for allowing her to share a little about herself before turning over the podium to Gammel.
A Senior at TCCHS, Gammel has also been shaped by her athletic endeavors and extracurricular activities.
Throughout high school, Gammel has been involved in Key Club and FBLA, while participating in cross-country, track, and swim.
“This has given me invaluable experiences, and on top of this, I’ve accumulated 160 service hours,” she said.
During her service, Gammel was involved in Camp Arrow, a week-long summer camp for children with special needs, as a camp counselor.
“From learning how to fish to getting dressed up for their first dance, I really learned the importance of personal connection and open-mindedness,” she said. “I love seeing them in the community and can’t wait for next year.
Gammel has also participated in Vashti’s Youth Advisory Council, where she’s collaborated with others to plan events for the community.
When not helping there, Gammel can be found assisting at the local and state level with the Latin Club, putting together care packages for brain trauma patients at Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
This summer, Gammel had the opportunity to travel to Colorado for a week and assist researchers in a biological lab, before later attending the DNR’s career academy, where she explored career options through the Department of Natural Resources.
“Both of these were very formative experiences for me and showed me the career path I want to build,” Gammel said.
She concluded by sharing with the club that she plans to attend Coastal College of Georgia next to study wildlife biology and sustainability, where she can educate others on the importance of conservation.
Rotary congratulated all of the students, wishing them well on their future endeavors, before presenting them with their certificates.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.