Andrew Peuster described how he has gone from childhood activity - building stuff out of Legos - to someday soon taking engineering classes and becoming a designer.

Peuster finishes his academic career as one of two valedictorians at Mexico High School, and he will be following his brother’s footsteps in achieving the honor. Claire Hudson is the other valedictorian, and Addison Paden is the salutatorian for the MHS class of 2025. 

A couple of days before graduation last week, Peuster and the other top students discussed their plans after high school, as well as their memories and favorite teachers and subjects. 

“It’s definitely really cool after seeing your brother do it two years ago,” Peuster said about Thomas, adding it’s a “great experience to be able to be up there and give some thoughts and advice to the graduating class.”

Peuster plans to attend Benedictine College and will study engineering physics while participating on the cross country and track and field teams. At MHS, he participated in cross country and track, Quiz Bowl, band and jazz band, among other activities. As far as a career goal, he would like to work in the aerospace industry. He said after finishes at Benedictine, he will seek a master’s degree. He is the son of Brian and Lillie Peuster.

Hudson will attend Kirkwood Community College, a two-year school, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and play basketball and will major in nursing. Besides basketball, she participated in, among other activities, soccer, tennis and student council at MHS. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree and then hopes to get into CRNA school. Her career goal is to become a CRNA. She is the daughter of Heath and Rebekah Hudson.

Hudson said it’s a big honor to stand in front of the class and provide advice and motivation.

“I think it shows all the hard work that we’ve put into school over the last four years and also shows the importance of not only being an athlete but a student athlete,” she said.

Paden, who will enter the Army National Guard and also attend Mizzou, participated in volleyball, wrestling, soccer and student council, among other activities, at MHS. She wants to become a nurse and perhaps become a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. She is the daughter of Eric and Kate Paden. She plans to become a combat medic, and she will come out of the Army training EMT certified. 

Paden said it's an honor to be a salutatorian and said that being a straight A student, one’s parents start expecting it from you “rather than it being, I don’t know, celebrated.” So she said it’s nice to be celebrated for this achievement.

The students discussed their favorite memories from high school, many of which revolved around sports, but Peuster pointed out Quiz Bowl accomplishments, including individual national, was one of the top memories for him.

“I didn’t expect that at all,” he said.

The students said their families have been influential in their academic success.

“They’ve always been number one in making sure I’m doing everything I need to be doing in being accomplished,” Peuster said, adding that he’s had a couple of coaches - Bucky Green and Lucas Breneman - who have been instrumental.

Hudson said her mother has always explained the importance of grades and encouraged her to do the best she can but also has never put too much pressure on her. Her mom’s career path also influenced Claire to want to pursue a career in medicine, as her mother is a physician assistant. Claire said her love for helping people and wanting to help people heal and seeing advances in the medical field and how much there is to learn all interest her.

“And I want to be able to give back to my community,” she said.

Paden said no one from her family ever pressured her in her academic career and her folks have alway been supportive. For her career in nursing, she wants a job that will challenge her consistently.

“I just want to challenge my mind at all times and keep me moving,” she said.

On another topic, students described their secret to success.

“I would definitely say being really efficient with your time, getting everything done on time,” Peuster said.

“Mine has definitely been time management,” Hudson said. “I’m a three-sport athlete, and so it’s normal every day after school I have practice from 3:15 to 5:30-6. So after you get home from practice, you don’t want to do homework, so using school time wisely has always been my thing since my freshman year. I don’t come home and do homework after practice, because my brain and body’s tired. I make sure to get all stuff done during school hours, if possible.”

Plus, she said her love for learning has been a great motivator.  

Paden said effort and prioritizing time are factors. 

“I generally believe anyone could get straight A’s as long as they put the effort in prioritizing (their) time,” she said, noting that she played three sports and there were times she had a job and she didn’t want to study for a test but knew it was important to make sure school is a priority.

Paden said she is excited about her future but she said she is sad about this chapter coming to an end. Hudson said she is “super thankful” for the community and the support and encouragement they have given her.

Peuster said Mexico will always be his hometown and he’ll have roots here and want to come back and visit and show support for those who have been in his life.