Student of the Week gets underway for the 2026-27 school year with students who accomplished something noteworthy during summer break.
There are 11 nominations that include music, theater, leadership, scouting,
agriculture and sports accomplishments.
Each week during the school year, we invite school officials to nominate students in categories that range from excellence in a specific subject to performance arts and more. Then you, the reader, get to vote for best of the best.
New polls launch on Mondays and close Thursdays with a winner declared by Friday.
Below are the nominations for this week and what was said about each student. Deadline to vote is 1 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27.
Lydia Pletincks, Siegel High
The senior was the head drum major at Atlanta CV (Corps Vets) and the youngest on the five-member team performing in Drum Corps International. Pletincks won a scholarship of $6,500 to go towards her next drum corps of choice for the 2027 DCI season.
"As a high school student, this is an incredible honor for her and not an easy feat," said Siegal High Director of Bands Katie Reed. Lydia is the drum major for the Siegel band. She is also in choir, wind ensemble and DECA.
Lane Ayars, Wilson Central High
Lane played summer baseball at the PBR Super Sophomore games at LakePoint near Atlanta, Georgia for Team Tennessee and threw a 13-strikeout no-hitter with pneumonia. He was named the fastest throwing left-handed pitcher in the country for class of 2029, hitting 92 miles per hour. He also hit a home run. During the school year, Ayers takes the most challenging classes and excels, his nominator said.
Wyatt Hughes, Oakland High
The school Future Farmers of America member spent his summer working on a goat project and was named premier exhibitor in the Commercial Doe Division. Wyatt was also second premier exhibitor in the Registered Doe Division and fourth in the "Skillathon."
Jordann McFadden, Gallatin High
The senior worked diligently this summer to complete all necessary requirements to attain her Eagle Scout appointment, something only 4% of all Scouts earn. Jordann also serves as the executive officer of the Gallatin High School Navy JROTC unit and ensures all operations run smoothly. Jordann is also ranked second among all young female archers in Tennessee.
Isaiah Eccles, Smith County High
The senior band captain and percussionist is also a theater arts student who performed with the Cumberland University Theater Arts Program. Eccles also earned the lead role in the Smith County theater production of "Beetlejuice," and is able to manage his schedule between both programs as an example of commitment to the fine arts.
Alex Grimes, Greenbrier High
Alex is described as passionate about creating a positive and engaging school culture through Renaissance leadership. This summer, she attended the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference in Orlando for a second time to learn innovative strategies for bringing Greenbrier High School's "All In" theme to life. While there, Alex joined other Greenbrier students to lead a breakout session designed to inspire and motivate student leaders from schools across North America.
Grimes "dedication, energy, and enthusiasm for strengthening school culture have made a lasting impact on our school community," Principal Katie Osborne said. Grimes leadership also is one of many reasons Greenbrier High was recognized as one of five Diamond Level Schools of Distinction Jostens Renaissance Schools in the world. Grimes was one of five students picked to attend a zoom call to discuss how Greenbrier High met all the criteria in its application.
Emily Hester, Portland High
The senior is an active member of 4-H and Future Farmers of America as well as a student-athlete. She served as the 2026 Sumner County 4-H June Dairy Month chairperson, traveling throughout the county to promote awareness of the dairy industry's importance to both our local community and public health. During June, Emily represented the dairy industry at community events, meetings, and daycare programs while also maintaining a strong social media presence that reached more than 55,000 individuals.
Emily is a third-generation dairy farmer. In addition to her June Dairy Month leadership, Emily serves as vice president of the Portland High School FFA chapter, is a 4-H teen leader, competes on the volleyball and flag football teams and is a manager for the football and basketball programs.
Laila Russell, Station Camp High
The senior is active with 4-H and FFA. She was recently selected as one of only six members of the Tennessee State Skillathon Team, which will represent Tennessee at the National 4-H Skillathon Contest in Louisville, Kentucky, in November. The competition tests participants' knowledge of the beef, sheep, swine, meat goat, and livestock industries through hands-on identification, written evaluations, and team-based problem-solving activities.
Laila has also attended Nationals representing Sumner County in both the horse bowl and the hippology contests, placing seventh in the nation. Laila is the Station Camp FFA chapter president and will represent Sumner County 4-H as the 2027 June Dairy Month chairperson.
Max Gregory, Green Hill High
Max was a state finalist in the Presidential 1776 Award for Civics Competition. Gregory studied rigorously leading up to the test, which was 650 questions and 90 minutes long. He finished in the top four in the state. Gregory also represented Green Hill at Boys State, held at Tennessee Tech over the summer.
Adaya Miles, Springfield High
Adaya attended the Mountaineer Cadet Officer Leadership School (MCOLS) at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, a rigorous, week-long leadership course attended by more than 250 JROTC cadets representing 25 schools. Adaya distinguished herself through her exemplary military bearing, discipline, and leadership skills. She was to serve as flight sergeant for a 30-cadet team, which ultimately earned Honor Flight recognition. In addition to this achievement, Adaya worked as a lifeguard at the local YMCA.
Darreian Groves, Cane Ridge High
Groves serves as a drum major and section leader for the Cane Ridge band. This summer, he demonstrated dedication, leadership and musicianship by supporting his fellow band members, helping lead rehearsals and setting a strong example of commitment and excellence throughout band camp and summer performances, Director of Bands Johnny Croft said.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Eleven nominated for Tennessean Student of the Week 2026-27 return. Vote here
