Student Spotlight: Dylan Hixson – Soddy Daisy High School
May 22, 2026—For Dylan Hixson, high school has been about finding where he belongs, staying close to family, and doing what he loves most.
Dylan is a senior at Soddy Daisy High School, but this year looked a little different than he expected. Before moving to Tennessee, Dylan lived in Oxford, Michigan, where he spent most of his school years surrounded by close friends and family. Moving during his senior year was not easy, especially because it meant leaving behind familiar faces and memories.
“It was a tough decision to make,” Dylan said.
The move happened after his twin brother received a baseball offer from Chattanooga State Community College and his dad accepted a new job. When given the choice to stay in Michigan or move with his brother, Dylan knew what mattered most.
“I want to be with my brother because he’s my twin and he will always be my twin forever,” he shared.
Even though Dylan is grateful for the opportunities he has found at Soddy Daisy, he still misses being in school with his twin brother every day. One of the high school memories he wishes he could relive most is dancing with his brother at prom and simply sharing school experiences together.
“I just wish I was with my brother in the same school,” Dylan said.
While the transition was difficult at first, Dylan quickly found support and friendship at Soddy Daisy High School.
“Everybody’s just so nice,” he said. “I feel loved here.”
One thing that has made Dylan’s senior year especially meaningful is his role as a bat boy for the school’s baseball team. What started as a simple interest has become something much bigger. Dylan first became interested in being a bat boy after he stopped playing baseball because of a heart condition that required him to get a pacemaker.
I saw a bat boy on YouTube one time and I was like, you know what? Maybe this will be good for me to try out.
Now, being part of the team is one of the highlights of his life.
“That’s a job I really love,” Dylan said. “It makes me very happy.”
Dylan takes pride in working hard for the team and supporting the players from the dugout. He says Coach Hitch (Brian Hitchcox) has encouraged him throughout the year and helped him feel valued.
“He always tells me that I work really hard at my job,” Dylan shared. “I remember him telling me once that I was an MVP.”
For Dylan, being a bat boy is more than just helping during games. It is something he hopes to continue long after graduation. After high school, he plans to attend Project SEARCH at Erlanger before continuing on to the Tiger Access program at Chattanooga State. Even though he is still exploring future career options, one dream has stayed the same.
“My passion right now is just doing what I love, picking up the bats,” Dylan said. “My plan is to continue that and build a career out of it.”
One of his biggest goals is to someday work as a bat boy for the Chattanooga Lookouts and maybe even beyond that with the Detroit Tigers.
“It would be really cool to be a bat boy for the Tigers,” he said. “That would be the coolest thing ever.”
On tough days, he likes to play video games and watch TV to unwind. He also reminds himself to focus on what’s exciting and what he’s most looking forward to in the future. Through every challenge and change, Dylan says one thing matters most to him. He wants people to see him as someone who cares about others.
“I just want people to look at me and think that I’m a really good person,” he said. “I just want to be recognized as a good person.”
As Dylan prepares for graduation, he says he will miss the friendships, football games, baseball memories, and the feeling of being part of something special at Soddy Daisy High School. His advice to younger students is simple.
“Just be confident,” he said. “Try your best to make new friends, and everything will be fine.”
Dylan’s story is a reminder that kindness, hard work, and passion can leave a lasting impact. No matter where life takes him next, he hopes to continue bringing joy and encouragement to the people around him. Whether he is cheering on a team from the dugout or chasing his dream of becoming a professional bat boy, Dylan is proving that the roles behind the scenes can still inspire everyone around them.
