The Hands-On Science Center’s newest resident, Riley the Axolotl, has made its home in Tullahoma, as it was officially designated as the official Axolotl of Tullahoma.

The story of Riley the Axolotl began earlier this year when the science center announced the arrival of the axolotl, a species of mole salamander. After about a month at the science center, a naming initiative was announced, where many local classrooms and visitors submitted their names. If the winning name came from the classroom, that class would win a free field trip to the science center.

The Hands-On Science Center would offi cially announce the name of the axolotl to be Riley on April 1 on its social media pages.

The name Riley was submitted by student Nolan Hice as a way to honor the memory of his younger brother Riley, who passed away in 2025.

“Riley was born with heart complications related to Down Syndrome, and his life left a lasting impact on those around him,” HOSC officials said in the announcement.

Per the announcement, HOSC officials said Nolan felt that “Riley” was the perfect name because it can be for a boy or a girl, as the sex of the axolotl will not be known until it turns a year old.

“Out of all the incredible names submitted, our community chose one with a story behind it, one filled with love, remembrance, and meaning,” HOSC officials said. “We are proud to carry Riley’s name forward.”

To commemorate Riley, the science center announced a special ribbon-cutting ceremony for the axolotl on Thursday, May 14, with the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to the ribbon cutting, Riley was officially designated as the “Official Axolotl of Tullahoma” as the May 11 meeting of the Tullahoma Board of Mayor of Aldermen, where Mayor Lynn Sebourn would present the proclamation to HOSC Executive Director Austin Sisco and to the Hice family.

“Through this naming, the community has chosen not only a name, but a story–one filled with love, remembrance and enduring significance,” Sebourn said as he read the proclamation.

Aaron Hice, father of Nolan and Riley, spoke briefly to thank the community for helping to honor his son.

“Times like this is when you’re grateful to be living in a small town,” Aaron said. “When Riley passed away, I promised to Riley, I promised to God that we would tell his story any time we could. What a cool way to be able to remember Riley and his legacy, through an axolotl.”

The field trip for Nolan’s class on May 14 wasn’t just about Riley, as the class was treated to a science show by HOSC science advisor Bill Boss, who was also celebrating his birthday. After the presentation, Nolan’s classmates, family, friends, guests and city officials gathered to officially cut the ribbon for Riley the Axolotl.

Afterwards, Sebourn would present the proclamation to the class, and then Sisco would lead everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” to Bill Boss before everyone enjoyed the rest of the day with science activities and cupcakes.