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HERRIMAN — Bavaria, Germany, isn’t a bad place to be.
You can visit Castle Neuschwanstein, go to old churches like Wieskirche or spend days staring at the mountains.
However, Nicholas Hughes wanted to be in Herriman, Utah, instead.
“I’ve been thinking about this a long time and I’ve been planning it for months,” said Hughes while getting dressed in a back room at Herriman High School.
Hughes has spent the past year based in Germany with the United States Army.
This week, though, is his little sister’s graduation and he had to be there.
“I’m kind of excited, but nervous, too,” said Hughes.
That’s because his sister and his family didn’t know he was back in town.
He wanted to surprise them during a school assembly where seniors were getting called to the auditorium for college scholarship checks.
The school came up with a fake award to get Hughes’ parents there.
When Madison Hughes was called at the end of the assembly, she thought she was getting some award for charitable donations.
Then, a video of her brother started playing on a screen.
We had no idea. We were kind of wondering what this was all about, if this award was just something everyone gets, but we didn't have any idea it was for this.
–Lisa, Madison's mother
In that video, Nicholas said, “You've grown into a very, very beautiful young woman today and I know after graduation you're going to be very successful."
Madison Hughes had eyes full of tears while that video was playing.
Then, when Nicholas showed up on stage after the video, Madison ran to hug him.
"That was the best surprise ever. I am so happy right now. I can't even explain myself,” Madison said.
Hundreds of students at the assembly stood to clap and cheer.
Madison’s parents were there, too, and couldn’t believe it.
“We had no idea,” said Madison’s mother, Lisa. “We were kind of wondering what this was all about, if this award was just something everyone gets, but we didn’t have any idea it was for this.”
Nicholas was smiling the entire time, holding his sister tight.
“My brothers and my sisters are really like my own children. They’re my world,” Nicholas said.
It was also the first time Nicholas got to meet his four-month-old little brother, Jacob.
“This is Jacob William Hughes,” said Nicholas, while holding the baby above his head.
It’s also the first time (allegedly) Nicholas had to lie to his family.
However, in this case, no one seemed to mind.
"Yeah, I did. It was worth it, though. I'd do it again,” Nicholas said with a smile.
Contributing: Steve Landeen
