Cadence Aaron and Bradley Hudgens have been selected by the Class of 2025 as the commencement speakers for Sycamore High School.
Aaron was a member of the National Honor Society and the recipient of the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence in 2021.
A member of the 30+ ACT Club, he will graduate summa cum laude. He has earned 30 college credits through the dual enrollment program at Austin Peay State University during his time at SHS.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Aaron was a dedicated member of the SHS football team for three years and gave back to the community by volunteering at youth football camps. He also achieved multiple national records in weightlifting competitions.
While at SHS, he contributed to the yearbook staff and actively participated in the Pep Club, further enriching the school community.
Aaron will continue his academic journey at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he plans to study criminal justice with a concentration in law. He aspires to make the world a safer place by practicing law or pursuing a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
During his time at SHS, Hudgens was involved in academic, athletic, leadership, and musical endeavors.
He was named "Most Likely to Succeed" as a senior superlative, served as vice-president of Student Council as a freshman, was a two-year member of the War Eagle Marching Band and Lee University Honor band and a four-year member of the War Eagles baseball team. He was named Co-Player of the Year for the 2025 11-AAA All-District Team as a shortstop.
Hudgens was also a member of the National Honor Society, maintained a 4.0 GPA, and earned his picture on the ACT 30+ wall at SHS for three consecutive years.
Additionally, Hudgens attended Friendship Free Will Baptist Church, where he was an active member of the youth group participating in local community service projects and summer mission trips while also serving the congregation as a junior usher and giving announcements on Sunday mornings.
Hudgens will graduate summa cum laude with an associate's degree from Austin Peay State University on May 9 - two weeks before his high school graduation from SHS.
He plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he has been named a Volunteer Scholar, and has received other academic scholarships. Upon the completion of his bachelor's degree in psychology, Hudgens will pursue law school at UTK in the fall of 2027.
The SHS graduation is Friday, May 23 at 1 p.m. at Austin Peay State University’s Dunn Center.