By Tim Sullivan

Staff Writer

As the school year comes to a close, it is natural for seniors to reflect on their high school experiences and look forward to what the future holds. Many members of the Class of 2019 plan to further their education in college, while others will enter the workforce or the Armed Forces. No matter their plans, all anxiously await the new opportunities that will come, including living away from home and experiencing a new level of freedom. 

Alex Stacy is going to UMass Amherst and is most excited to listen to Ariana Grande. She is also looking forward to the food and gaining some knowledge along the way. Sarissa Fazio will join her there, eager to play hockey and have a different schedule. On campus, they may run into Mikayla Chabot, who is looking forward to more freedom, and Siofra Carty, who is excited to build lifelong friendships and explore the world.

Aidan Benway will study entrepreneurship at Suffolk University and is looking forward to living on his own and meeting new people.  Same with Gage Gosule, who is excited for the freedom that comes with living away from home, and Ryan Morgan, who will study business. 

Megan Finnigan is going to Bryant University and is most excited about starting a new college life. She may run into Ben Fein, Jason Bishop and Will Clarkson, who will study business while taking advantage of their newfound independence. Ben is excited to meet new people and see new places.

Matt McLeod will head to Roger Williams University to pursue computer science. He is excited about a “change of scenery.” James Clarkson will join him, playing basketball and studying business.

Kayla Mullane will attend Endicott College and is excited about becoming more independent. Olivia Reddish will join her there, and can’t wait for the dining hall experience.

Caroline Gordon will attend Fairfield University and is looking forward to a change of pace and getting used to a new environment. She’ll be joined by Emily Babin, who is “super pumped” to explore new careers and paths to figure out what she wants to do in the future. Alex McFarland will be on campus as well, studying Education and English.

Anna McCarthy will attend Merrimack College next year and can’t wait to step out of her comfort zone and learn how to be independent. On campus, she may see Kat Lawrence, who is super excited to make some new friends, and Julie Moran, who can’t wait to dive into her Exercise Science major. Matt Jenkins  looks forward to the social life there as he studies Sports Management.

Braden Glynn will study Elementary Education at Westfield State and looks forward to meeting new people. Among the familiar faces will be Zach DeBoer, who will pursue Criminal Justice.

Bee Lee is attending Bridgewater State University and plans on studying business. Lindsay Maslow also will study business, but at Rider University. She is excited to live in New Jersey, a new state for her. Erin Flynn is heading to Marist College.  Abby Cummings and Maggie Munroe will study engineering at Worcester Polytech. 

Cooper Dawson will attend Syracuse University to study International Relations. Bridget Fairweather will attend Emmanuel College to study Forensic Science. Kayleigh McEachern will study nursing at Curry College and is eager to “finally study something I’m excited about.” Maeve McCarthy will attend Providence College to study marketing. Jake Laprise is going to Wheaton College. 

While many students are excited for the freedom college will bring, others are heading for more structure at Mass Maritime Academy. Dan Tiedtke is looking forward to playing rugby and becoming more organized. Joe Petrocelli is expecting more freedom after graduation. Pat McDonald looks forward to “making money after graduation.”

Some students will be traveling far from Hanover after graduation. Emily Sullivan will attend Clemson University and can’t wait for the football games!  Liam Sadek is heading to Georgia Tech to study Material Sciences and Engineering and looking forward to a change of weather. Mady Rossi will  study pre-med at the University of South Florida in Miami. Sam O’Grady will study at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he looks forward to three more months of skiing than he can get in New England. Karly Bruder is heading to Wake Forest University in North Carolina and is excited to experience a new part of the country. Wes Notorangelo will study business at Nashville’s Lipscomb University. Julia Varraso will attend Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Julia Leskow will study at the University of Alabama. Drew Marriner will be traveling to the University of Montana to study Wildlife Biology.

Many students are excited for opportunities to go even farther away from home through study abroad programs. Harry O’Brien and Ethan DaSilva will head to Northeastern University, where their college experience will begin this August in London. Caitlin Parker will spend part of her sophomore year at Sacred Heart University studying in Australia. Jake Dares will travel to Madrid for his freshman year of Suffolk University.

Some students are joining the workforce, including Tom May, while others, like Jonathan Trubiano, are considering the military.  Brendan Murray has been training in preparation for joining the Marines. Alec McArthur will enter an apprenticeship to become an electrician. He’s most excited about “not having debt from college.”

Steve Manolakis will be taking a gap year before entering Ohio State University. He plans to work and train in gymnastics full time in hopes of earning a spot on the college team.