Four Inductees Announced to 2026 Edmonson Hall of Distinguished Alumni Class

Darrell Cassady, Travis Hudson, Alecia Webb-Edgington, Elzie Sanders, JR. to be Honored

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County Hall of Distinguished Alumni Committee has announced four inductees selected for the Class of 2026 which include Darrell Cassady, Travis Hudson, Alecia Webb-Edgington, and Vietnam war hero Elzie Sanders, JR.

Darrell Cassady, (yellow sign) with EC HODA Committee members.

Cassady, a 1966 graduate of Edmonson County High School and 1970 alumnus of Western Kentucky University, devoted his career to Edmonson County schools. Over 34 years, he taught at Kyrock Elementary and ECHS, led Brownsville Elementary as principal for 18 years, and held the role of Superintendent of Edmonson County Schools for 7 years.

Travis Hudson, (center) with EC HODA Committee members.

Travis Hudson, a 1988 graduate of Edmonson County High School, has become one of the most celebrated figures in Western Kentucky University athletics as the legendary head coach of the WKU women’s volleyball program. After graduating from WKU in 1994 with a degree in business management, Hudson embarked on a coaching career that would span more than three decades on The Hill. 

Elzie Sanders, Jr., (d.).

Elzie Sanders, Jr., (d.), a 1966 graduate of Edmonson County High School, was a farm boy from Noah Bledsoe Road in the Chalybeate Community whose life became defined by service and sacrifice. Just six months after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army, beginning a commitment that would mark the rest of his life. In April 1967, Sanders was deployed to Vietnam, where he served with courage and distinction. On November 12, 1967, during a search-and-destroy mission under intense enemy fire, he demonstrated extraordinary gallantry by leaving his position to aid wounded comrades after the senior medic was incapacitated. Though wounded himself, Sanders pressed on, administering lifesaving aid until he was mortally wounded in action. For his heroism, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and other honors, reflecting the highest traditions of military service.

Alecia Webb-Edgington (center) with EC HODA Committee members.

Alecia Webb-Edgington, a 1983 graduate of Edmonson County High School, made history as the first sworn female deputy at the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office. She joined Kentucky State Police Cadet Class #68, advancing through the ranks to retire as Major. Webb-Edgington went on to serve as the Executive Director of Homeland Security under Governor Ernie Fletcher. She subsequently represented the 63rd District as a State Representative and ran for the 4th Congressional District.

The four inductees in the 2026 Class were chosen from a pool of nominations submitted by members of the community. The committee took extensive measures to evaluate each nomination to ensure that those selected reflected the criteria set forth. These include:

• Individual must clearly demonstrate outstanding personal, civic, or professional achievements.
• Individual brings honor and recognition to the alma mater through his/her profession or service.
  
• Individual of strong personal character, moral conviction, and outstanding service/contributions.
  
• Individual having attended or graduated no less than fifteen years from date of consideration.
  
• Individual whose achievements in career, public service, and volunteer activities are worthy of recognition and have brought honor to the Edmonson County School District.
  

The 2026 ECHS Honorary Alumnus will also be announced at the event, but as has become tradition, recipients of that award are not revealed until the evening of the Induction Ceremony.

In a released statement, the committee said it works diligently to thoroughly evaluate all nominees to select an exceptional class for the prestigious honor of induction into the Edmonson County Hall of Distinguished Alumni and this year is no different. While the committee discussed many worthy names of individuals who deserve consideration, they stated they are limited to only evaluating those with complete nomination forms.

Consequently, if the community feels strongly that someone should be included, then the onus is on them to submit a complete and detailed nomination for that candidate that thoroughly describes their contributions to the community as well as their professional success. Once a nomination is submitted, it will remain in the pool for consideration for three years. As nominations rotate out of the pool, they may be nominated again.

"It is critical for the community to engage with the process by submitting nominations on behalf of worthy individuals," stated the committee.

There are ten members of the 2026 Edmonson County HODA Committee. They are responsible for selecting each year’s class, identifying sponsors, planning and executing the annual Induction Ceremony and Dinner, and ensuring that the program is held in high regard through a consistent and fair selection process. They meet throughout the year and bring unique perspectives through their different professional experiences, community engagement roles, and broad generational representation.

The 2026 Edmonson County HODA Committee members are:

• Andrea Brantley
  
• Jamie Carnes
  
• April Hennion
  
• Dion Houchins
  
• Amanda Lich, Chair
  
• Ronald Scott Lindsey
  
• Carol Stice
  
• Laura-Grace Vincent
  
• Johnny Webb
  
• Jonathan Williams