Sterling Ray Hudgins Jr. and Ella Bayleigh Ward will be the top graduates as they and their classmates receive diplomas on Saturday at Mathews High School’s 87th annual commencement exercises beginning at 10 a.m. in the Harry M. Ward Auditorium, with 68 MHS seniors expected to graduate. Hudgins, the son of Kathryn Tatterson and Sterling R. Hudgins, will be the class valedictorian, earning a 4.580 grade point average during his time at MHS. He will attend Columbia University in the fall. Ward, the daughter of Howard and Susan Ward, was just behind Hudgins academically, earning a 4.548 GPA. The class salutatorian will be attending Virginia Tech. The program will begin with the procession of the members of the Class of 2026 into the auditorium, with “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the MHS Symphonic Band, under the direction of Mark Givens. MHS principal Dr. Andrew Greve and senior class president Shelby Ray will welcome the assembled family and friends, and Superintendent of Schools ...