The Class of 2026 found community, friendship, and personal growth in many different places throughout their time at Hanover High School. While many participated in a wide range of activities, a common theme connected nearly every student response to The Hawk senior survey: the people they met and the relationships they built made their high school experience meaningful. Whether it was through sports teams, music programs, clubs, or favorite classes, seniors reflected on the sense of belonging they found at HHS.
Sports
Boys basketball celebrates a playoff win at home.
Football was a major highlight for Brandon Errico and Patrick Leary, who felt the team was like a family. Peter Clarke and Sebastian Brown also loved football for the friends they made on the field. Alongside the football team, Ava Khouri had an unforgettable experience as a cheerleader, especially during the Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. Addison Hall, Camryn Carthas, and Gavin Russell thanked their coaches and teammates for the memories and friendships they made on the soccer teams. Hockey was a meaningful experience for Cam Melone, Heather McGinnis, Henry Phillips, and Vanessa Federico, who credited her coach for making the team a success. Katie Jones and Ava Puglia loved playing field hockey with friends, while Tyler McDonough and Noah Marshall-Pelayo will never forget playing for the rugby team. Dean Gomes created indelible memories on the swim team, as Ryan Mutschler did with both his teammates and coaches on the basketball team. Brendan Meagher and Leo Galvin especially appreciated the cross country team experience, and Ben Willis and Joe Lynch found community through track. Dylan Poirier and Tess Madden agreed that the bonds they made on the volleyball team will have a lasting effect on their lives.
Classes
Vox prepares for a concert.
For Ellie Mann, Maddy Hiffa, Sienna Lamond, and Brianna Adams, VOX was not just a class but a valuable community where everyone could grow. Similarly, the band was the highlight for Aine Scanlan. Maddy Hiffa also cited AP Art. Bryan Collins and Joey DaCosta found Sports and Society with Mr. Molloy the most interesting, while Daniel Klos loved gym. Morgan Curtis enjoyed environmental science, especially Ms. McHenry’s class junior year, while Madison Paulicelli echoed that and added marine science as a favorite. Matthew Bell loved Mrs. Molloy’s chemistry class, while Aine Scanlan found biology the most enjoyable. AP Psychology was dubbed the most interesting class by both Mikayla Sheehan and Juliana Minasi. Damaris Mejia-Miller looked forward to Spanish class every day, while Bradlee Dowling eagerly anticipated the new challenges brought in AP English Language. US History 2 Honors was an important yet fun class for Elin Brink, and Maddie Fuller cited AP US History as a class she most looked forward to attending. For Colin MacPherson and Matthew Yan, the opportunities in engineering class outweighed all the rest.
Clubs
DECA celebrates its wins at the District Championship
Sienna Lamond found that DECA gave her the skills and confidence she needed to be prepared for the future. Similarly, Bradlee Dowling discovered an opportunity to find his voice and hone his skills as the captain of the Debate Club. Bella Reed prepared for the future with Career Club, which she ran alongside her friend. Emma Ryan found the Yearbook Club to be a source of community and creativity. Fiona Monahan and Bronwyn Doherty loved expressing themselves with their friends in the Art Club.
Together, the reflections from the Class of 2026 show that HHS was much more than academics or extracurriculars. For many students, the most important part of high school was the friendships they formed, the communities they became a part of, and the memories they created with the people around them.
As the members of the Class of 2026 prepare to embark on their new journeys beyond Hanover High School, students who responded to The Hawk survey shared advice to inspire their younger peers. Seniors truly believe that by forming meaningful connections, taking advantage of opportunities, and working diligently, every student can achieve great things.
Although freshman year and adjusting to the new high school environment can be difficult, many seniors acknowledged the importance of persistence and effort throughout this formative year and encouraged our incoming freshmen to do the same.
Credit for Life Fair junior year
Matthew Bell expressed how he wished he had “taken freshman year more seriously.” Damaris Mejia-Miller echoed that, saying “lock in freshman year.” Mikayla Sheehan urged students to focus on “getting your GPA up high.” Vanessa Federico advised them to “stay on top of their work, especially freshman year. Most freshmen think their grades don’t matter, but they do.”
Acknowledging the significance of freshman year, but also the value of enjoying your time at HHS, Ava Puglia said, “grades freshman year matter so actually try, but also have fun and get involved in and outside of school.”
For many, attending school and learning new things will always have a special significance. As the next generation of leaders leave the nest, they encourage underclassmen to choose classes that they are passionate about, persist through bad grades, and make meaningful connections with classmates and staff with the time they have at HHS.
Maddie Fuller recognized the value in true learning and emphasized that students should “try to focus on actually learning and absorbing material rather than just getting good grades.” Sienna Lamond encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities that the school offers, saying “take classes for YOU. High school has the resources to set you up for your future career whether you know what you want to do yet or not! Taking different classes from your friends is how you discover your individuality and passions for the future.”
Expressing a similar sentiment, Bronwyn Doherty shared the importance of taking challenging courses and establishing meaningful friendships through high school as she said, “Take the courses that you think will be best for you. Don’t be afraid to take difficult classes, but know your limits! Reach out to new people and connect with your teachers; it’s definitely worth it!”
Katie Jones emphasized the significance of persistence in learning and condemned the popular habit of hyper-focusing on failure, while also telling students to enjoy all aspects of life. “My advice is that one bad test does not define you, and that time goes by so fast, so enjoy every moment,” she said.
Peter Clarke chose to recognize the importance of a study tool that we all have used at least once or twice by stating, “Quizlet is your friend.”
Spirit Week
Beyond grades and extracurriculars, seniors reminded classmates that high school is also a journey of self-discovery and a time to embrace what makes each one of us special. Every student has unique passions, values, and experiences to share. And in truth, it’s these differences that make our school a place worth remembering.
“Stay true to yourself!” said Brianna Adams. “In high school, it’s easy to be tempted to stray from what you love and value just to fit with the ‘norms,’ but it is important to maintain your values and keep doing what you love, no matter what others think.” Ava Khouri, class president, expressed a similar sentiment, encouraging students “not to worry too much about what other people think because the embarrassment is temporary, but the memories last forever.”
Maddy Hiffa expressed there is value in our differences, advising underclassmen to “not be afraid to be yourself because that’s how you find your people.” Colin Howard spoke about the value of self-discovery, encouraging HHS students to “not do things just because you think other people want you to.” Madison Paulicelli talked about the value of always having confidence in yourself, stating that “having your own back is your biggest strength.”
High school is a valuable time to both make meaningful connections and get involved in the school community. Engaging in new opportunities and participating in extracurricular activities is pivotal to maximizing your high school experience and discovering new passions that will shape your future.
Ava Khouri talked about the importance of pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and taking advantage of every opportunity HHS has to offer. “Go all out for spirit weeks, cheer loudly at sporting events, and don’t be afraid to fully participate in everything our school has to offer,” she said. “Some of the best memories will come from moments you almost didn’t join in on.”
Girls Lacrosse
Leo Galvin conveyed the same message, saying “there are plenty of clubs and athletics at HHS, and without these activities, I wouldn’t have been able to become the person I am today.” Ben Willis added that extracurriculars “will help your college search and make high school much more fun.”
Ellie Mann acknowledged that friend groups may change through high school and that’s ok. “Do not expect to keep the same friends when you enter high school,” she said. “Branch out and meet new people.”
One popular theme among the advice from seniors was the importance of effort. Although in the past some have claimed that the only school years that matter in terms of academics are sophomore and junior year, that is simply not true.
“Put in effort every year because it will help you so much when applying for colleges,” said Tess Madden. Ireland Cronin echoed that, saying, “Try your hardest from the beginning and always put in your best effort because it truly does matter.” Morgan Curtis added, “The advice I would give is to try harder because it all counts.”
Wishing to warn others of a bad habit that all of us have fallen prey to before, Johanna Marshall-Pelayo reminded underclassmen to always complete tasks in a timely fashion by saying, “Don’t procrastinate – just start the work.”
Aine Scanlan reminded underclassmen to try to avoid the stresses of student life by saying, “As long as you try your best and are respectful and kind, it will go pretty well. But remember, every year does count for college.”
Bradlee Dowling shared with students that taking random AP classes and joining clubs and sports just to check a box for college is useless. “You need to find the things you are passionate about and put everything into them, that’s what colleges will care about,” he said.
Rugby
Sharing a simple yet powerful message, Daniel Klos told students: ”Don’t give up.”
Joe Lynch reminds students of a powerful mantra that we should all strive to live by: “Whatever you do, do it 100 percent.”
Several seniors reminded underclassmen that even though some days feel everlasting, the years truly do fly by, making it so important to cherish every moment. “Take in everything,” said Juliana Minasi. Brendan Meagher added, “Make the most of every day.” Fiona Monahan encouraged students to “spend as much time as you can with your loved ones and never take those special moments for granted.” Gavin Russell agreed, saying, “Cherish the good times with your friends because before you know it you will be graduating.”Bella Reed, Emma Ryan, and Patrick Leary spoke about the importance of living in the moment. “Don’t think about the future or the past,” Bella said. “Think about the present.
As their days at HHS wind down, many members of the Class of 2026 agree that what they will remember most is not just the classes they took, the sports they played, or the friends they made. They’ll also remember the teachers and staff members who made a difference in their lives. Seniors who responded to The Hawk survey reflected on adults from every department, from History and English to Music and Guidance, who helped shape their experience both inside and outside of the classroom.
Mr. Harden and students from the school’s music program
For many students, the teachers who stood out the most were the ones who made learning feel personal and engaging. Teachers like Mr. McLean in Science, Mr. Centorino in Math, and Mr. Brown in History were repeatedly praised for creating a classroom environment that students were excited to walk into each day. “Mr. Brown is always motivating me to push myself in order to become a better person every day,” Leo Galvin said, while Sienna Lamond described how his in-class support during a stressful junior year “meant so much.” Dylan Poirier said Mr. Brown “always had the best stories.” For Emma Ryan, Mr. McLean’s Anatomy and Physiology class junior year “made me realize that I wanted to be a nurse.”
Mr. Perry, a history teacher who is retiring after 29 years, is another who has left a positive impact on many graduating seniors. Students including Dan Klos, Joey DeCosta, Tyler McDonough, Juliana Minasi and Mikayla Sheehan described his classroom as welcoming, fun, and supportive, with some crediting him for changing their view on history class – or even learning – altogether. “He helped me realize learning can be fun,” Maddie Fuller said. Fiona Monahan emphasized how he formed connections with students, even ones he wasn’t teaching that year, to create a classroom environment that everyone actively enjoyed. Tess Madden said Mr. Perry “taught her to start each day with a smile” and Noah Marshall-Pelayo said he “taught me not to be afraid of being myself.”
In the English department, students reflected on the lessons they learned from their teachers. Ellie Mann said that after three years with Mrs. Hughes, “her enthusiasm and spark brought me joy every day. Showing up to her class, I was always excited to learn. …When I was stressed out, her class brought me comfort.” Brianna Adams shared how Mrs. Hughes encouraged students to “truly understand how the lessons of literature can be applied to the real world.” According to Cam Carthas, “Mrs. Collins is always so positive and always makes a bad day better,” while Pat Ben Willis called her a “fun teacher.” Pat Leary said Mrs. Cotter “prepared me for college.”
Several teachers in the World Language department were highlighted. According to Damaris Mejia-Miller, Mrs. Gately created “a classroom where I felt comfortable to be myself.” Aine Scanlan said Madame Youngworth “has always been kind and caring” and Bronwyn Doherty thanked her for “always believing in me and being an amazing teacher.” Trevor Leibfarth said that Mrs. Curtis “motivated me to do more than I thought I could” and Vanessa Federico added “she taught us many life lessons and really cares about her students.”
From the Science wing, students cited Mrs. Emerson, “Doc,” Mrs. Parry and Mrs. Molloy as having had a positive impact. Mrs. Molloy is credited with giving great life advice, helping students grow both inside and outside of the classroom, and creating an environment where students could “learn but have fun at the same time,” according to Johanna Marshall-Pelayo. Ryan Mutschler called her “a positive role model” and Matthew Bell said “she gave me great life advice and was always fun to talk to.” Colin MacPherson thanked Doc for “getting me into the engineering field through physics.” Madison Paulicelli said Mrs. Emerson was “incredibly sweet and an absolutely amazing human being” and Joe Lynch thanked Mrs. Parry for helping him a lot after school.
Mr. File with students
In the Fine Arts, many seniors emphasized the importance of teachers and staff who supported them personally. Mr. Wade’s support during both Concert Chorus and VOX provided “a classroom environment that is truly my main outlet of support,” said Brianna Adams. Brendan Meagher cited Mr. Harden “for believing in me and making the HHS Band such a special group to be a part of.” Colin Howard thanked Mr. File for providing “a safe space with a good vibe to relax in the middle of the day” and Bronwyn Doherty said his instruction has made her artwork “more creative and ambitious.”
Mrs. Pereira in Business was always there to help students such as Leah Toner “with both life and school.” Katie Jones said, “From freshman year to senior year, she always supported me and gave me the best advice.” Gavin Russell added that Mrs. P. “is always kind and cares about all of her students.”
Engineering teacher Mr. Faria, also retiring this year, is “by far the best teacher on earth,” according to Matthew Yan. Morgan Curtis thanked Mrs. Tarkanian, a special education teacher who “has been there for me in every moment all four years of high school, guiding me in the right direction to where I am today.” Mr. Rodday, a special education teacher and coach, provided consistent support to athletes both on and off the field, said Addison Hall.
Nurse Nee made the nurse’s office a welcoming space for many students. “She is always so positive and uplifting,” said Bradlee Dowling. “I remember going to the nurse’s office every time I didn’t do well on a test or a quiz and Nurse Nee made me feel much better about it.” For Class President Ava Khouri, office secretary and class co-advisor Mrs. Foster “taught me what it means to be positive, reliable, and organized, and I appreciate everything she does for our school.”
Mr Ciccolo with students at Credit for Life, junior year
The Guidance department helped many students find the right path for them. Maddy Hiffa thanked Mrs. Leonido because “she has made me believe in myself and trust that everything is going to turn out right,” while Bella Reed said Mrs. Kost “helped me with all my college difficulties and with personal issues. Roz Arguinzoni said Mrs. Rapalje “has always been there to talk whenever I needed her the most.”
By Ryan Costello, Luke Curran and Sam Frattasio, ‘27
Social Media Editor, Sports Editor and News Editor
Hanover’s Class of 2026 is taking a wide range of pathways after graduation, from pre-health and engineering to business, public service, and the arts. Seniors who responded to The Hawk survey or posted on the class Instagram @hhsdecisions.26 by our deadline shared their post‑graduation plans, from college majors to careers. While not every member of the class is represented here, their responses highlight just how diverse Hanover’s students’ interests and career paths truly are.
Students pursuing biology, nursing and health sciences include:
Brianna Adams, who is headed to Northeastern University to study behavioral neuroscience on a path to becoming a physician’s assistant; Addison Bean, who will attend Quinnipiac University to pursue diagnostic medical sonography; Talia Beer, who plans to study exercise science in an accelerated DPT program at Elon; Ava Bonfiglio, who is headed to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences for pre-veterinary medicine; Alana Cole, who will attend MIT to study biology and chemistry; Harley Delmonico, who plans to attend Florida Atlantic University to study health science; Bronwyn Doherty, who is headed to Emmanuel College to study biology and psychology; Bradlee Dowling, who plans to study nursing at the University of Tampa; Maelyn Foley, who will attend UMass Amherst to study biology on a pre-med track; Alessandra Francisco, who plans to attend UConn majoring in biology on the pre-med track; Maddie Fuller, who is attending UMass Amherst for biology, with hopes to go to dental school; Conlan Geary heading off to Trinity College to major in biology and compete on the wrestling team; Chloe Hannah, who will attend the University of New Hampshire to study animal science; Ava Jones, who plans to attend Miami University for nursing; Abby Kajunski, who is going to Saint Joseph’s College of Maine to study nursing while playing soccer; Joe Lynch, studying emergency management systems at Mass Maritime; Johanna Marshall-Pelayo, who is headed to University of Rhode Island, where she plans to major in kinesiology and become a physical therapist; Megan McGinnis, who will be studying nursing at Merrimack College; Damaris Mejia-Miller, who is headed to MCPHS to focus on dental hygiene on a predental track; Juliana Minasi, who is off to Stonehill College to major in communication science and disorders as she works toward becoming a speech-language pathologist; Abby Minasi, who will continue her education in nursing at Endicott College; Madison Paulicelli, who plans to pursue college with a focus on pre-veterinary studies; Sophia Rowsell, who is attending UMass Amherst for kinesiology; Emma Ryan, who will study nursing at Saint Anselm College; Aine Scanlan, who is interested in molecular biology or biochemistry and hopes to conduct gene therapy research; Shelby Taylor, who will study radiography at MCPHS; Tim Sullivan, who will study health sciences at MCPHS; Bella Telepak, who is heading to UMass Amherst on a bio pre-med track; and Amelia Wipfler, who is bound for Stonehill College to pursue health sciences.
Decisions day
Students pursuing engineering, physical sciences and computer science include:
Colin Arnold, who is going to Mass Maritime to study energy systems engineering; Elin Brink, who is going to Lehigh University to major in chemical engineering; Matt Costello, who plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute to study engineering; Ben Douglas, who will attend Mass Maritime to pursue marine engineering; Andrew Ellis, who is headed to Northeastern University to pursue mechanical engineering; Adam Elmassadi, who will attend UMass Lowell to study biomedical engineering; Dean Gomes, planning to study mechanical engineering at the University of Rhode Island; Nate Hoyt, who is going to Stonehill College to study engineering; Colin MacPherson, who is going to Wentworth Institute of Technology to study electromechanical engineering; Heather McGinnis, who is going to Massachusetts Maritime Academy to major in mechanical engineering; Tyler McDonough, who plans to study architecture at James Madison University; Kirk Sundberg, who will study computer science at Bridgewater State University; Ben Willis, who plans to study physics at Villanova University; and Matthew Yan, who will attend Northeastern University as a mechanical engineering major.
Spirit Week
Students majoring in business fields include:
Matthew Bell, who is attending the University of Rhode Island for finance while sailing on the school’s team; Maia Bonilla, who will attend Mass Maritime to study international maritime business while also playing volleyball; Sebastian Brown, who is headed to Saint Anselm College where he plans to study marketing and continue playing football; Jameson Bryan, who will attend Saint Anselm College to study business; Kellen Campbell, who will attend Quinnipiac University to study business; Peter Clarke, who will attend Shenandoah University for construction management while playing football; Bella Ciccolo, who plans to attend the University of South Carolina to study international business and supply chain management; Bryan Collins, who is headed to Xavier University to pursue finance; Ireland Cronin, who is going to Bryant University for accounting; Morgan Curtis, who is attending the University of Maine to study sports management; Anna Egan, heading to Endicott for marketing; Brandon Errico, who plans to attend Bowdoin College for economics while continuing his football career; Joey Falco, who is going to Bryant University to study business; Vanessa Federico, who is headed to Providence College to major in finance; Robert Frucci, who is attending UNH majoring in business admin and finance; Cole Hendrickson, who will study business and play baseball at Central Connecticut State University; Addison Hall, who will attend the University of Rhode Island focusing on a degree in finance; Colin Howard, who plans to attend UMass Amherst to study marketing; Katie Jones, who is headed to UMass Amherst for finance; Jake Kelliher, who will major in business at the University of Mississippi; Ava Khouri, who plans to attend University of Notre Dame to study business management in the Mendoza College of Business; Patrick Leary, heading to UMass for business; Trevor Leibfarth, who is attending Mississippi State University to study business; Sam Light, who plans to attend Auburn University to pursue business; Tess Madden, going to the University of New England to play volleyball while majoring in sports management and leadership; Cole Madden, who is headed to Keene State College to study sports management while playing golf; Shane Mahoney, who plans to attend Bowling Green State University to study business; Ellie Mann, who is going to UMass Amherst to pursue marketing; Noah Marshall-Pelayo, who plans to attend Bryant University to study business; James McDermod, who plans to attend Saint Anselm College to study finance while playing soccer; Brendan Meagher, who will go to UMass Amherst for statistics and data science; Cam Melone, who will attend Fairfield University to major in finance; Shannon Murphy, who plans to study business at UConn; Ryan Mutschler, who will play basketball at Union College while majoring in economics; Brody Noonan, heading to Assumption University for business and baseball; Brad Peterson, who will study finance at the University of Maryland; Henry Phillips, who will do the same at Fairfield University; Dylan Poirier, who is heading to Villanova University to major in economics and international business; Zach Psychos, who will attend Miami University to study finance; Ava Puglia, who plans to study business at Florida Atlantic University; Haley Ray, who is off to URI to major in marketing; Tommy Regan, who will continue both his studies and his football career at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, majoring in business management and entrepreneurship; Bryan Southwick, who is bound for Bryant University to major in business; and Leah Toner, who will major in accounting at Saint Anselm College.
First days of senior year
Students pursuing political science, international relations and related fields include:
Caroline Brown, who will attend Bucknell University to study political science; Abbey Corbo, who is going to American University to major in international affairs and political science, Peter Cunniff, who plans to study political science and international relations at American; Natalie Frank, who is going to the University of South Carolina to study political science on a pre-law track; Leo Galvin, who will attend Virginia Tech, where he plans to major in national security and foreign affairs while participating in Marine Corps ROTC with the goal of commissioning as an officer; Drew Keith, who plans to attend the University of Vermont to study political science; Finley Nadeau, who is heading to the University of Maryland to study government and politics; and Alex Puzatkin, who will attend George Washington University to focus on international affairs.
Students pursuing psychology, social sciences and education include:
Megan Collins, who plans to attend Emmanuel College to study psychology and neuroscience; Andrew Dunne, heading to Xavier to major in education; Carly Federico, who plans to attend Saint Anselm College to study psychology; Grace Gilligan, who will study Criminology at the University of South Carolina; Addison Goitia, who will enroll at Marist University to pursue studies in psychology; Layla Hurley, who plans to attend Boston College to study psychology; Fiona Monahan, who will attend UMass Amherst to double major in psychology and sociology; Rylee Noonan, who will attend the University of New Hampshire to major in human development and family studies; Alexa Sawin, heading to Westfield State for early childhood education; Mikayla Sheehan, who will study psychology at the College of Charleston; and Elizabeth Winnie, who will attend Grove City College to study psychology.
Students pursuing Communications and related fields include:
Joey DaCosta is attending Saint Anselm College, where he plans to major in communications while playing golf; and Hope Miller, who will study public communications at Syracuse University.
Students pursuing marine, aviation, and other specialized sciences include:
Bryce Swenson, who plans to attend Eckerd College for marine science; and Gavin Russell, who will train to become a commercial pilot at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Students in the arts include:
Maddy Hiffa, who is headed to Hamilton College, where she plans to major in art with a minor in education; Jack Nadeau, who will attend MassArt; and Sienna Lamond, who is going to Syracuse University to earn her BFA in Musical Theatre and pursue a career as a professional performer
Finally, students who are entering the workforce, a trade, or are currently undecided include:
Rozalyn Arguinzoni, who will work after graduation; Charlie Campbell, who is going to Saint Anselm College; Camryn Carthas, who is headed to Endicott College; John Danick, who is going to Westfield State, and will play football; Anna Parker, who is bound for the College of Charleston; Bella Reed, who intends to enroll at a four-year college; and Daniel Klos, who will attend trade school to become an electrician.
Note: Only seniors who replied to The Hawk survey or posted on the class Instagram decisions page by deadline are represented
With the Hanover High School Class of 2026 set to graduate, seniors reminisced about the experiences that made their high school journey memorable. In response to a survey by The Hawk, they shared memories including winning championships, school traditions, classes, performances, and spending time with friends. Although the experiences of each senior were different, there is one common factor that runs through their recollections, and that is the individuals and moments that made Hanover High feel like home.
Homecoming Court
A very prominent theme in many of the seniors’ reflections this year was their feelings of community that they experienced throughout their time at HHS. Brianna Adams recalled “the end of Homecoming freshmen year, where a huge number of girls hung around until the end of the night, dancing and partying even though everyone else had left,” as something that made her realize “the sense of community that HHS can create when everybody unites and has fun.” Fiona Monahan explained that her favorite memories involved “meeting new people and creating memories that I’m going to remember forever,” while Ellie Mann cited her junior year because she “was lucky enough to have the exact same classes as her two best friends Brianna Adams and Sienna Lamond.”
A lot of students thought highly of their traditions and memories with friends. Peter Clarke, Patrick Leary, Mikayla Sheehan, and Daniel Klos said some of their favorite times were in the library’s senior corner or gym class. Matthew Bell recalled “playing spike ball with friends in gym.” Tess Madden said her highlight will be the senior walkout, because “although it is so sad, it allows us to honor our amazing seniors.” Ben Willis and Madison Paulicelli cherished their prom, and Bella Reed fondly recalled “football games on Friday night.” For Matthew Yan, his favorite moment will be graduation.
Cheer wins second state title in a row
Athletics featured prominently in many students’ favorite memories. Morgan Curtis said her highlight was winning back-to-back state championships with cheerleading. For Cam Melone and Henry Phillips, it was bringing home the 2026 boys hockey state title, while Katie Jones and Vanessa Federico cited cheering on the team during its tournament run and final at TD Garden. Sebastian Brown said his highlight was the football Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium, while Noah Marshall-Pelayo cited winning the 2025 Division II Rugby Championship. Ryan Mutschler highlighted the basketball team’s senior year playoff run, and Trevor Leibfarth cited the Elite 8 playoff win as an especially great memory.
Addison Hall’s favorite moment was when he scored during senior night for soccer. Emma Ryan cited beating Scituate in field hockey at home, and Gavin Russell said that his “favorite experiences have been the team dinners we would have with my team members prior to our games.” Leo Galvin said “being a three-sport athlete enabled me to meet many new and interesting people and grow as a leader.” Damaris Mejia-Miller said playing volleyball was her highlight, Tyler McDonough loved playing rugby, and Joey Marshall-Pelayo cited managing the girls basketball team and playing field hockey. Joey DaCosta’s favorite experience was “playing and watching all the sports.”
Boys soccer
There were also some memorable moments within the arts and academics for many seniors. Maddy Hiffa recalled her first time “performing at the Annual Fall Cabaret Showcase,” while Brendan Meagher talked about his performance of “stand tunes and the field show with the band for home football games.” Likewise, Aine Scanlan recalled her experiences during “Friday night lights” playing with the band. Brandon Errico mentioned Mrs. Collins’ class, while Heather McGinnis spoke about her experience taking “Mrs. P’s accounting classes.”
Other notable memories related to travel experiences. Bronwyn Doherty had the pleasure of visiting Quebec with her French class during junior year, where she got to do “so much” new stuff and explore new locations. Colin Howard and Dylan Poirier both mentioned visits to France through the school exchange program. For Ava Khouri, her highlight was closer to home: trips to the Cape for SEMASC student council meetings, particularly their awesome polar plunge costumes and losing their voices at the dance.
Powderpuff
Some moments were both simple and memorable. Elin Brink, Maddie Fuller, and Juliana Minasi selected Powderpuff as their most memorable experience. For Joe Lynch, it was the pizza party in Mrs. Parry’s class.
While the Class of 2026 is preparing to venture into other areas of life, the memories they have forged during their time at Hanover High School will never fade away. From winning a championship to playing a game of football on a Friday night, taking classes that were enjoyable, or spending some time with friends in the senior corner, all of these activities played a key role in making HHS memorable!
With the state of global affairs in disarray, many wonder what will bring the end of humanity. Nuclear war? The Hantavirus? Aliens? Though these issues are pressing, one threat to humanity that is becoming hard to ignore is global warming. Due to its recognition by world governments, despite many deniers, global warming is one of the most talked about topics today. Defined as the increase in Earth’s average air and ocean temperatures over the last couple hundred years, it is at the forefront of international discussion.
Activists have most commonly cited the significant changes in Earth’s climate as the biggest cause for alarm. The greenhouse effect is a natural process where atmospheric gases (CO2, methane, water vapor) trap heat radiating from Earth. This phenomenon keeps the planet warm enough to sustain life. But human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have intensified this process, leading to an increase in the Earth’s average temperature. The year 2024 was the warmest recorded by a wide margin, according to scientists. This has led to the melting of large polar ice sheets as well as the thermal expansion of water, which is the increase in volume and decrease in density that occurs when water temperature rises. Taken together, these have directly caused a rise in sea levels across the globe.
The consequences of global warming can be detrimental to our environment as a whole. Global warming doesn’t just affect animals and plants; it can have devastating effects on human life as well. Rising sea levels and an increase in extreme weather lead to more frequent natural disasters including storms, droughts and wildfires. Rising sea levels can cause flooding and erosion which threatens many coastal areas. Damage to buildings and businesses force the people affected to rebuild their homes and buildings with their own money, which can be costly. Additionally, local animals lose habitats, making them more vulnerable to predation, competition and possibly extinction.
To satisfy needs for monetary gain and convenience, humans have ignored the environmental impacts of industrialization and expansion, and thus have created the current problem we call global warming. Many advocacy groups and political leaders, fearful of Earth’s uncertain future, actively seek strategies to prevent or delay this threat They recommend reducing our carbon footprint — and the greenhouse gas emissions that fuel it — by switching to renewable energy like wind and solar, shifting toward the use of electric vehicles over gas-powered cars, and reducing waste sent to landfills.
Of course, these changes can’t be made in a day, and one person choosing to ride a bike rather than drive a car to work may not seem to make much of a difference. But if the human race can collectively adopt more climate-friendly lifestyle changes, we can preserve the wonderful planet that we all know. Global warming is one of the most important issues of the modern era. Our willingness to act now — or our failure to act — will determine life on Earth for generations to come. By taking steps to combat global warming, we can at least delay the impact of the problem that our ancestors created and many of us continue to ignore.
What makes people want to get good grades? What makes people not care about their grades? These two questions are ones that teachers and students ask themselves all the time. Why do students put so much importance on some random letters? Of course it’s natural to want to succeed, but is it really healthy to let these letters have so much influence on our happiness? I, like many of my peers, believe that all students who wish to keep their peace of mind during their high school journey need to have a balance between school life and social life. Students who fail to find this balance often find themselves feeling “burnt out” and unable to match the productivity they were able to achieve before. Even more troubling is that without this balance, students often tend to prioritize academics over friendships. As a result, their social life often suffers, which causes them to become isolated from their friends.
The idea of a grading system has been around for about three or four centuries, originating from groupings based on oral exams in ancient times. Now, educators utilize a mix of written exams, oral exams, and homework to help determine numerical and letter grades. As time has passed and the world has progressed, the grading system has evolved with it. The origin of the grading system we use today came from Ezera Stiles, an educator and president of Yale from 1778-1797. For exams at the prestigious university beginning in 1785, he split people up into four different groups ranging from best to worst: Optimi, meaning best; Second Optimi; Inferiores, and finally Pejores, being the worst. In 1792 this system was later adapted to a numerical grading system by William Farish, a professor at Cambridge University. The idea of using letters to represent grades didn’t come into practice until 1897, with letters ranging from A-E. Later, near the 20th century, the E was removed because it was continually confused with the meaning “excellent” instead of its true meaning, which was failure. That’s when the F came in to take its place.
Mental health issues have a big impact on the young and old alike and can carry a lot of weight when making decisions. Mental health is the emotional state that influences a person’s thinking, behavior, and emotions. Your psyche and social well-being are also factors that help people determine their mental health. Lots of students suffer declines in their mental state because of stress that originates in academic settings. Whether through the stress of preparing for AP exams, finals, unit tests, or projects, students dealing with that kind of constant pressure are bound to find themselves mentally unhealthy.
Why do students become stressed with their school work? Why do students want to produce a “good score”? What are the guidelines and qualifications of a “good score”? Is it above average? Highest in the class? These so-called qualifications for achievement are set by your peers, teachers, parents, but most importantly yourself. Many students forget that they have the ability to determine what they deem as excellent. As a result, they continue to needlessly stack on the pressure from others. Students should not feel pressured to produce scores that are above their capacity and should, instead, set reasonable goals for themselves. These days, it often feels like society expects everyone to have straight As, disregarding the fact that many students show real learning and hard work when earning Bs or even Cs. In some cases, an extra push to success is beneficial, but more often it can lead students to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Parents are one of the main reasons that children feel pressured to produce good grades. Some parents view their children as a reflection of themselves and want only the best from them, when in fact children are not copies of their parents and the scores that they receive have no correlation to the parents at all. Creating a good learning environment is crucial to the success of students. Overbearing parents most often create an atmosphere that is not only intolerant of failure, but unaccepting of anything below perfection. This attitude toward achievement, along with the constant pressure to achieve, causes students’ mental health to decline.
Getting good grades is not all that matters when getting into college. Of course, it is something that they consider important, but there are always other deciding factors to get that letter of acceptance. Admissions officers don’t want working machines at their colleges; they want students who will become well-rounded people, and who will better the school’s reputation. Having a social life, extracurriculars, jobs, and hobbies are important to colleges too. Balancing your school work and social life shows that you have good time management and varied interests as well as an understanding of your classes. Ultimately, what colleges are looking for is a well-rounded student. Lots of students can get “good grades,” but what sets your application apart from others is your extracurriculars, interests, and personality.
Life is a competition. This popular mantra is repeated again and again by teachers, principals, parents, and relatives. Most of us tend to scoff at this message, but, in truth, the statement does carry some weight. In life, there are only a few people that you are not in competition with, even if only subconsciously. All of your peers are competing against you to see who can get the best grades, who can get the better test score, or who can just do better in life. And that competition doesn’t just stop after college. Even adults, however outlandish this may seem, compete with each other over trivial matters like what private school their kids might be attending or how neat their yard is compared to their neighbors. These are all ways that people compare themselves to others. Making comparisons is a natural part of life, and it happens in every setting; however, excessive competition can become unhealthy. The main cause of comparison is the need for validation from oneself and others. High schoolers are at the age where image matters; sometimes, that drives people to be better than others, but it also makes people act as if they don’t care. An obsession with being better than others often does more harm than good. It might make you a more determined person who puts time and effort into their education, but it can also lead to over confidence, unbridled egotism, and an unhealthy focus on grades.
While getting good grades can be a sign of success, focusing solely on the points you earn can cause immense stress. It is also not a true reflection of the whole person you are. People tend to forget that their grades do not define them. The most important thing in life is to be able to set reasonable goals and work hard to reach them. Having straight As is great, but not at the expense of your mental health.
“I cannot forget Carcosa where black stars hang in the heavens; where the shadows of men’s thoughts lengthen in the afternoon, when the twin suns sink into the lake of Hali; and my mind will bear for ever the memory of the Pallid Mask.”― Robert W. Chambers, The King in Yellow
Most people these days haven’t read about the King in Yellow, an eerie supernatural entity that, legend claims, can drive a person insane. Many authors have written versions of the character, some claim that you go insane just by looking at him or his face under his mask. But the one I have read was written by Robert W. Chambers, who included this story in a collection of supernatural horror tales published in 1895. Chambers’ book includes a play within the book and a series of stories that link together. Sometimes the stories within stories are confusing and mess with your brain, but that’s kind of the whole point of the book. It has inspired a lot of supernatural horror media, including the works of HP Lovecraft, comic books and video games.
Here are two of my favorite stories from Chambers’ book:
“The Repairer of Reputations” — This short story is about a character named Mr. Wilde who basically blackmails his rich and powerful clients to “fix” their damaged reputations. I found this mini story interesting because Mr. Wilde connects to another story called “Imperial Dynasty of America,” where he drove that story’s main character, Hildred Castaigne, insane by making him believe he is the King in Yellow’s heir.
“The Mask” — This mini story is way different from the last one. It is about two sculptors who are in a love-ish triangle with another girl. The group finds a cool liquid that turns living things into marble, but when they find The King in Yellow book, one of the characters is turned into marble. That drives one of the trio to suicide before the other learns that the transformation is only temporary. At least it’s a happy ending for two of them.
Across the United States, communities are coming together in 2026 to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. Known as the Semiquincentennial, the anniversary marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Cities, states, schools, museums, and organizations are hosting America250 events that honor the nation’s history while also looking toward the future.
One of the biggest celebrations will take place in Washington, D.C. on July 4. Organizers expect more than one million people to gather on the National Mall for concerts, historical presentations, military tributes, and a massive fireworks display. The celebration is part of the “Freedom 250” initiative, which has planned events for the Capitol throughout the entire year.
Another major event is “America’s Block Party,” a nationwide celebration happening on July 3 and 4. Communities across the country are encouraged to host neighborhood gatherings with live music, food, games, and local performances. The goal is to create the largest synchronized Fourth of July celebration in American history.
Several states are also organizing unique local events. In New Orleans, the “SAIL 250” festival will feature tall ships from around the world sailing along the Mississippi River. Visitors will be able to tour historic ships while enjoying concerts, cultural exhibits, and educational programs. Meanwhile, cities such as Midland, Texas, and Greenwich, Connecticut, are hosting history days, scavenger hunts, parades, and public art displays to involve local residents in the celebration.
The Hanover Historical Society will lead a series of walking tours of five areas in town on the second Saturday of each month, May through September. Each tour will focus on what a particular neighborhood was like in 1776, during the American Revolution.
The anniversary is not only about entertainment. America250 has also launched “America Gives,” a national volunteer program encouraging Americans to complete community service projects during 2026. Organizers hope to make this the largest year of volunteerism in U.S. history by inspiring people to help schools, charities, parks, and neighborhoods. In addition, special exhibits, concerts, and educational programs are taking place at national parks, museums, and historical sites across the country. Traveling “Freedom Trucks” will visit schools and communities in all 48 contiguous states with mobile museum exhibits about American history.
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday on July 4, the Times Square Ball will drop eight times on July 3, marking midnight across every U.S. time zone. This fun event will mark the first time the ball has been dropped outside of New Year’s.
As America reaches this historic milestone, the 250th anniversary celebrations are giving citizens a chance to reflect on the nation’s past, celebrate its achievements, and imagine what the next 250 years could look like.
The Hawk 