LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2025) — Two student representatives have been selected to speak during the University of Kentucky’s December 2025 Commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 19, at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. The student speakers are Brysen Honeycutt and RaShaun West.  Brysen Ho neycutt Honeycutt, a native of Pine Top, Kentucky, is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering and is a member of the Lewis Honors College. He was selected to deliver the student address at the 10 a.m. ceremony, an opportunity he saw as a way to honor not just individual achievement, but the collective effort behind it. “This moment represents more than just the completion of our studies,” Honeycutt said. “This is the culmination of years of hard work, challenges, growth and discovery, and I wanted to honor the people I’ve shared this journey with — to celebrate not just individual success, but the support that brought us all here.” In his remarks, Honeycutt hopes his classmates reflect on the resilience they’ve built along the way and the people who helped them reach this milestone. “Resilience is not something you are born with; it’s something you build as you overcome the challenges life puts in your path,” he said. “None of us have gotten here alone, and I hope graduates leave believing that our struggles have prepared us, not limited us.” Honeycutt credits his time at UK with equipping him for the next chapter, both professionally and personally. Rigorous coursework strengthened his problem-solving skills, and leadership opportunities taught him how to collaborate, communicate and take initiative. Experiential learning opportunities, including co-ops and internships, helped Honeycutt connect classroom concepts to real-world applications — experiences that solidified his career path. After graduation, he will step into the themed entertainment industry as a Walt Disney Imagineer. “Those experiences gave me confidence in turning ideas into practical solutions,” he said. “UK prepared me to take this next step with purpose and excitement.” As he addresses his fellow graduates, Honeycutt hopes the Class of 2025 leaves UK ready to embrace what’s ahead — grounded in gratitude, strengthened by challenge and confident in their ability to create something meaningful. RaShaun West Lexington resident RaShaun West is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in human communication from the UK College of Communication and Information. He was selected to deliver the student address at the 3 p.m. Commencement ceremony, where he plans to reflect on perseverance, purpose and the many paths that lead to graduation. West, who is originally from Cincinnati, said applying to be student speaker felt like a natural extension of his own journey at UK — one shaped by multiple roles and deep personal meaning. “It’s an opportunity to share my journey and encourage others while highlighting the reach of UK, as a patient, employee, student and graduate,” West said. “This place truly changes and positively impacts lives.” Through his address, West, a nontraditional student, hopes to speak directly to those whose path to Commencement may not have been linear. He wants graduates to see challenges and setbacks not as failures, but as proof of endurance. “Maybe you failed a class, didn’t achieve the GPA you hoped for or stayed enrolled longer than you planned,” he said. “Nevertheless, you made it. I want graduates to look back at those stepping stones not with regret, but with pride and a sense of accomplishment.” A husband, father, full-time employee and full-time student, West said his UK experience reinforced a belief he carries into every aspect of his life: that limitations are often self-imposed. Graduating magna cum laude, he credits his faith, discipline and support from those around him for making the moment possible. “In our house, ‘can’t’ is a bad word,” West said. “We remind our children that Wests can do anything.” As he prepares to take the Commencement stage, West views the moment as an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the people who helped him reach it. “Most importantly, I want to honor God and all those who have supported, encouraged and motivated me from birth until now,” he said. “This is my opportunity to publicly say, thank you.” West hopes his fellow graduates leave ready to embrace what comes next — aware that challenges will continue, but confident in their ability to meet them head-on. “Just as we did throughout our college journey,” he said, “we will fight the good fight and finish the course.” *** UK’s December 2025 Commencement ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, and livestreamed on YouTube. Visit uknow.uky.edu or commencement.uky.edu on Friday to watch. The post Meet the December 2025 UK Commencement student speakers appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less