Twelve Hanover High School musicians earned accolades at the MMEA Southeastern District auditions at King Philip High School in Wrentham on Nov. 22. These students will perform at the 2025-2026 Southeastern District Senior Festival at New Bedford High School on Jan. 9-10. Seven of the 12 were recommended for All-States.
Several students who auditioned had key roles in the HHS school musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which ran Nov. 20-22. This meant that they performed in the musical Thursday and Friday nights, auditioned for Districts during the day Saturday, and then performed closing night of the play on Saturday night.
For Orchestra, Henrik Consilvio and Shirley Mancini, both sophomores, were recognized for violin. Senior Aine Scanlan earned honors for oboe. In Concert Band, judges honored junior Maria-Rita Silva for flute, sophomore Rory Toyoshima for alto saxophone, junior Rory O’Connor for trumpet, and junior Ronan Blum for trombone. For Treble Chorus, juniors Avery Porro and Emma Louko were recognized as altos. Earning honors in Mixed Chorus were junior Sophie Frattasio as an alto, sophomore Anna Dillon as a soprano, and junior Sam Frattasio as a bass.
The seven students recommended for All-States were Consilvio, Mancini, Scanlan, Silva, Blum, Porro and Dillon. They will audition for those ensembles in January alongside the top music students from the five districts of Massachusetts. If accepted at that audition, they will perform with students from across the state at the MMEA All-State Festival in March.
The Massachusetts Music Educators Association is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting quality music programs and instruction
The music department’s annual Cabaret, held Oct. 14, showcased performances from the school’s best and brightest. Students from all grades sang, played in ensembles created just for the event, and even performed stand-up comedy. These photos capture just a glimpse of the night. While not everyone could be featured, it was truly an evening to remember, and every performer earned the title of “star.”
Members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society worked with Mr. Harden, our band director, and Mr. Wade, our choral director, to set up the event and keep the night running smoothly.
What are cognitive biases? Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts that lead to systematic errors, affecting or counteracting your inner rationale. Your brain can be overloaded with information, and to process that information faster, these shortcuts are used to come up with a quick response to what is being said. This can create misinterpretation or inaccurate conclusions and lead to flawed judgment, poor decision-making, and distorted perceptions of reality. The creators of the idea of cognitive biases are Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, who brought this idea to light in the 1970s. They also introduced the concept of heuristics, which induce immediate judgment that guides you to make irrational decisions.
The inability to make a good judgment on a subject is induced by fatigue, stress, and emotions, which are personal factors, but are also caused by cognitive biases. Cognitive biases play a part in flawed judgment because they cause the brain to process information too quickly. With the quick processing of information comes the capability to miss or overlook important factors that can affect your argument. For example, if you see a news article that several people have died from a plane crash, and it makes you not want to fly, you are exhibiting the availability heuristic. You take what you have just seen or learned, over weigh the probability of it happening, and let it generate fear, even though fewer planes crash, than those that do. The availability of information on plane crashes is, at the moment, more prevalent than information available on planes that have successful trips, causing you to believe crashes are more common than they are.
Anchoring is also one of the biases that can affect your judgment because it uses the first piece of information that you collect on someone, and refuses to acknowledge any change that occurs. If you are at a restaurant, for example, and see a $90 steak and then further down on the menu you see a $50 steak, you will rationalize the price of the $50 steak. In your mind, you will think that you are getting a cheap steak, when in reality, $50 for a steak is not cheap.
People make decisions every day, whether they are good or bad. “Should I eat pizza or burgers tonight?” is a decision that doesn’t have any consequences. But deciding not to do something after someone asks you to, does. That kind of decision, when you prefer to do the opposite of what someone is trying to make you do is called reactance. This tricks the brain into thinking there is a loss of freedom or a forced action. This gives you a sense of need to rebel against the enforcer to regain your control over what you do, causing you to not do what is asked of you, resulting in punishment. For instance, if your parents tell you to put on a jacket when it is cold outside, it may make you not want to wear one because you are being forced to instead of making the choice on your own. Especially if it really is cold outside, you will refuse to admit that they were right about wearing a jacket.
These mental shortcuts make your mind susceptible to receiving and believing distorted information, causing you to make decisions that aren’t always beneficial. The sunk cost fallacy is another effect of cognitive biases because it makes you irrationally cling to things that have already cost you something. If you have run a business for many years that is now going bankrupt, for example, you will not want to sell it because you have put so much money, time, and effort into it. This bias highlights the desire to hold onto something that you have put time and effort into, even though it is no longer relevant or beneficial.
A distorted perception of reality is when someone’s view or interpretation of the world is skewed, which is exhibited by irrational thought patterns. The biases associated with this are declinism and the self-serving bias. They both touch on how things can easily affect our perception and judgment to make room for misinterpretation of things happening in the world. If you believe that earning a good score on your test is due to studying hard, for example, but when you fail, it is because the teacher put hard questions on the test, then you are a victim of the self-serving bias. The self-serving bias is when you believe that your failures are due to external factors, yet you’re personally responsible for your success. This skews the perception of reality and romanticizes your past accomplishments, thus making you less accountable for your mistakes. It makes you unable to take criticism because you believe that it will not be beneficial to you, and your mistakes are not your own. Judging others comes easy when you don’t know the circumstances, but you give yourself leeway because you know what is going on and your thought process. This creates overconfident people who believe they are always right and are never wrong because their mistakes are not their fault.
People who are stuck in the past, always hoping that life will go back to how it was in the past, are subject to declinism. Declinism is when you remember the past as better than it was, and expect the future to be worse than evidence suggests it will be. But in reality, the past isn’t as good as you remember; it is just your mind believing that because you don’t want to experience life in the world you live in now. We believe the past to be better than reality because we are handpicking the good memories to remember, and blocking out the bad ones. The reason reality is not favored is that we are now living through the good and the bad events happening at the same time. Being stuck in the past will change how you view the present world because you will be resistant to change, and want to continue to see the past world through “rose colored glasses.”
Cognitive biases are the root of systematic errors in thinking that are illustrated through flawed judgment, poor decision-making, and the distortion of the perception of reality. There are so many biases that highlight the errors of the thought process that the human mind uses to formulate a conclusion. Being aware of cognitive biases is beneficial because it will help you make better life choices as well as educate you on how to form rational judgments. But even with this knowledge, you may still make mistakes and struggle with judgment. Also, knowing the cognitive biases isn’t the most important part; being able to see and apply them to your life is what really matters. If you are not aware of your own actions and problems, then there is no way that you can reflect and fix them.
There are many more cognitive biases that I didn’t mention in this article. If you want to know more, go to https://yourbias.is/ And if you like this article, then make sure to read my next one on the Danger of Logical Fallacies next month!
Gen Z is considered by many to be the first to grow up on social media. Born from the mid-90s to early 2010s, this generation consumes more content each day than any other. When the government of Nepal tried to ban 26 major social media platforms, the young adults of the country did not sit by quietly. They took to the streets to protest what they called censorship and authoritarian rule.
The government of Nepal made the decision to ban the social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, in September. The ban was implemented after the app owners refused to comply with the request to register with the Nepali government and limit information. Officials argued that the move was about ‘sovereignty and regulation,’ not censorship, but the citizens thought differently. They felt that their democracy and freedom of expression were just temporary privileges. This led to protesters peacefully gathering to argue against the government’s decision. However, it quickly escalated to violence and destruction.
On September 8, police shot at the protesters near the Parliament building, causing at least 19 deaths, including a 12-year-old child, and over 100 injuries. The next day, thousands of young protesters stormed the parliament building. They destroyed the interior, ransacking valuables and setting rooms on fire. The prime minister’s house was also set on fire, leading to his resignation. The power vacuum was filled by Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female prime minister, who holds a zero-tolerance policy on government corruption and political censorship. The social media ban and national curfew were lifted shortly after, with Karki pledging to end corruption and respond to the demands of the people.
This issue is not unique to developing countries like Nepal. Recently in Mexico, thousands of members of Gen Z organized through social media in massive protests against crime and corruption. Similar protests have occurred in the past two years from Bangladesh and Kenya to Italy and Peru. For students anywhere, this story demonstrates how youth activism online can translate into political change for the better.
Vigilante justice, or taking the law into one’s own hands, has been happening in the United States since before its founding. When imagining what vigilante justice looks like, people may picture a headstrong hero that roots out corruption, but the only difference between a terrorist and vigilante is public opinion. For example, to a Patriot, the winning of the American Revolution was a triumph and celebration of freedom. However, to a Loyalist, the war was a disaster that caused the loss of their lands and their displacement to Canada.
Vigilante justice can cause harm to innocents. This was notably done by the Sons of Liberty in years before the Revolution when tax collectors were frequently tarred and feathered as an act of defiance against the British Crown. To be tarred and feathered was painful, humiliating, and often left people scarred or burned. Whether the actions of the Sons of Liberty were justified is left to the individual to decide, but at least in my opinion, innocent people should never be hurt for political gain.
Of course, rooting out corruption in society sounds great, but before acting, people need to consider all perspectives on the issue and the veracity of the information they read or hear on the subject. A lot of times, people who commit these acts are manipulated and turned radical by the podcasts, videos or social media from which they form their political opinions. In some cases, these people are also mentally unstable, which, when paired with propaganda, can heavily influence people toward making bad decisions. Though there certainly is corruption in the government, people need to trust in the courts and our justice system. All people are entitled to a fair trial in front of a jury; whether the defendant is guilty or not, to deny that right is a crime in itself. When vigilantes strike, they are acting as judge, jury, and executioner.
The most recent example of vigilante justice was the murder of Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk, who was shot to death during an appearance on a college campus in September. Kirk was a determined and strong debater who was credited with gathering support for conservatism among younger voters. Kirk swayed public opinion against abortion, gun control and countless other issues.Kirk’s opponents may point out that the legislation and ideas he preached appealed mostly to white men, causing more harm than good, especially to the detriment of women and minority groups. This leaves Kirk’s legacy uncertain; however, he was a vocal advocate of peaceful free speech and political debate who deserves respect for his courage to create change. Many people in both political parties said kind words on social media and emphasized the immorality of political violence, but others celebrated the actions of the clearly troubled shooter, who was arrested days later. Reactions to Kirk’s death were more evidence of the growing political divide in this country. Even if you don’t agree with what Kirk stood for, you should at least recognize he was human and didn’t deserve the death chosen for him.
The December 2024 murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson also begs the question of vigilante or murderer. Of course, most people would agree that murder is wrong, yet upon hearing of Thompson’s death, many celebrated. United Healthcare is notorious for having one of the highest percentages of claim denials among all health insurers. By denying claims for expensive but possibly life-saving care, critics argue, this corporate giant is indirectly responsible for the deaths of thousands. Though Thompson isn’t completely to blame for the company’s policy that seems to put profits over human lives, he could have tried to make change. As a CEO he certainly had some power to enact at least small reforms, but any change that would have hurt the company’s bottom line would have likely been vetoed by the company’s board.Still, that doesn’t excuse the actions of alleged shooter, who is awaiting trial.Killing one man doesn’t bring back all the people killed by claim denial. Premeditated murder and crimes in the heat of anger don’t bring justice. If people truly want to make lasting change they should confront corporate giants in the courts. If the alleged shooter had done this, Brian Thompson’s children would still have a father.
The attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 could be considered another example of people trying to take the law into their own hands. Armed, right-wing protestors gathered in front of the building after a rally by Donald Trump, the outgoing president at the time, who had been pushing the narrative that the 2020 election had been “stolen” and Joe Biden was not the rightful winner. Against overwhelming evidence and ballot recounts in multiple states, Trump and his supporters insisted the election had been stolen and their country was in danger. With Trump’s call to action in their ears, the protestors marched to the Capitol, where tensions quickly escalated and the rally turned to a riot. Police forces stationed at the Capitol to maintain peace were easily overwhelmed, and rioters entered, intent on harming members of Congress and disrupting the certification of Biden’s election. This event is largely regarded as a stain on American history, and the multitudes of people injured as well as the 10 people whose deaths were related to the attack are proof of the dangers of propaganda. Some, including President Trump and some Republican officials, still believe that there was election fraud and praise these domestic terrorists as heroes and true Americans.
Wherever you stand ideologically, vigilante justice must stop. Although the battle to change government policy can be long and riddled with opposition, we have systems in place to create change. People can petition their representatives or senators and they can peacefully protest. This type of violence only strengthens the determination of the opposition. Assassination attempts on President Trump and Charlie Kirk have only widened the ideological divide and furthered political polarization. One House representative, Marjorie Taylor Greene, has even expressed desire for a “national divorce” along party lines! Unfortunately, hatred between liberals and conservatives is strong, but one issue that should have bipartisan support is ending political violence. Silencing people over ideological disagreements is primitive and contradicts the values upon which this country was founded.
Universal Studios Florida and Walt Disney World Florida are two of the most famous and most visited theme parks in the world. Both are so committed to their themes that, from the moment you take your first step in, you are transported to an otherworldly place. The rides are the best in the world, with outstanding themes that can make you feel like you aren’t really on earth, but rather flying through the galaxy in the Millennium Falcon, traveling through NewYork City with Spiderman, or flying on the back of a banshee in Pandora – the list goes on. Because these two theme parks are so amazing, it brings up the question: which is better?
Deciding on which theme park is better usually takes some personal preference. If you are a Harry Potter and Marvel fan, well, then Universal Studios will obviously be your favorite. But if you’re a Star Wars enthusiast or love Avatar, then Disney will obviously be your choice. Other things that you may take into account are whether you like intense thrill rides, slow moving rides, or maybe even nostalgia. For this article, I will focus only on the regular parks with normal rides, not the water parks at each resort. I will judge which theme park is better based on the following: rides, family friendliness, and fast passes (Express Pass and Lightning Lane).
Rides
The reason most people travel from all around the world to go to these theme parks is for the rides. The rides are not just your ordinary roller coaster or spinning rides that you’d see in a fairground, but one-of-a-kind works of art. In fact, both theme parks spend years designing rides to make sure they are worth every penny.
The rides at Universal Studios are often much more intense and thrilling than the rides at Disney, including five large roller coasters: The Velocicoaster, The Hulk, The Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket, Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, and the new Stardust Racers. These roller coasters are fun, fast, and exhilarating. In fact, the Velocicoaster is the fastest ride in Florida, reaching 72 miles per hour. However, if crazy fast roller coasters aren’t really your thing, Universal also has about 15 screen-based rides. Although many of these are very well made, there are some downsides such as possible motion sickness and need of refurbishment for outdated rides like Fast and Furious Supercharged and The Simpsons Ride. Additionally, Universal has three exceptional water rides to offer: Dudley Do-Rights, Popeye and Blutos, and Jurassic Park River Adventure. Despite the limited options for water rides, these are great for getting you drenched and offering relief from the blazing Florida sun. Overall, Universal Studios has some very enjoyable rides, and while it doesn’t have as many as Disney, most of the Universal theme park rides are unique and offer a one-of-a-kind experience for its guests.
Disney World also has some amazing rides. In fact, some say they are the best in the country. If you are looking for fast roller coasters similar to the ones at Universal, then you will be happy to know that Disney also has a number of high speed roller coasters, although they only have one ride (Rockin’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith) that goes upside down. Disney does not have nearly as many screen-based rides as Universal, but that may actually be better, considering the fact that many people prefer animatronics and real props over screens. While the screens are captivating, most people would rather go on a ride where you see two life sized AT-ATs from Star Wars than see a dragon from Harry Potter on a screen. That being said, Disney does have two screen rides that are a very different style than the ones at Universal: Avatar Flight of Passage and Soarin’ Around the World. In these rides, passengers are seated directly in front of the screen, allowing them to feel like they’re really flying. Another difference between the parks is that Disney has more slower moving rides, which can be just as amazing for visitors as a big roller coaster or screen-based ride. Attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Navi River Journey are great if you want a nice, slow moving ride that makes you feel like you’re in a whole new world. Additionally, Disney has four water rides to help you cool off from the Florida sun: Pirates of the Caribbean, Frozen Ever After, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Kali River Rapids. However, in terms of water rides, Universal is the clear winner, as they get you significantly more drenched than those at Disney. Like Universal, Disney also has some rides that are outdated, but Disney doesn’t feel the need to get rid of them because they are so nostalgic and iconic to the parks.
Overall, both Universal Studios and Walt Disney world have so many amazing rides that are worth coming from all across the world to see, but based on the information above it is clear that Disney has slightly better rides. Due to it’s great moderation of rides, and that their rides are just slightly better, Disney wins the rides category.
Family Friendliness
An important factor to consider when planning a trip is how the vacation spot will appeal to the entire family. Universal Studios has a lot more rides intended for teens and young adults, with intense rides like Velocicoaster and Escape from Gringotts, which are not really made for young kids. Universal does have a decent amount of attractions for younger riders, but not as many as a family with young kids might want. Families looking only to ride the attractions catered towards younger kids would definitely be repeating rides multiple times over their trip. Universal does offer a much easier system for navigating the parks, and has a much shorter walking distance from the deluxe hotels to the parks, making hotel access and breaks from the park much easier.
In contrast, Disney World definitely has a lot more rides intended for younger children. Disney offers slow moving rides for very young kids, and fast kid-friendly roller coasters for those who may be too young to ride huge roller coasters like Expedition Everest. Although Disney is more difficult to navigate than Universal, and not as easy to get from hotel to park, Disney also offers so much more for families. Disney has amazing shows that are super entertaining for children, incredible fireworks shows every night, parades, and meet and greets. In conclusion, it is clear that Walt Disney World is the more family friendly theme park, therefore it wins this category.
Fast Pass
As you can probably imagine, super popular rides at these parks can sometimes have lines that last hours, which is why it is crucial for these parks to have fast passes – a pass that you pay extra money for that gets you into a different line that moves a lot faster than the normal one. At Universal these are called “Express Passes.” You can obtain purchase these separately, or they come for free if you stay at one of the three deluxe hotels. The Express Pass works like this: you walk up to any ride, they scan your Express Pass, and you’re allowed into the express line, that simple! There are only a few rides that do not accept Express Passes, but the majority do. Disney, on the other hand, has a much more complex system. Disney’s fast passes are called “Lightning Lanes” and they can only be obtained via purchase. Lightning Lanes have a tier system where some rides are tier one and others are tier two (Animal Kingdom does not have any tiers). You can book two tier two rides and one tier one ride. After you have ridden a ride you had a Lightning Lane for, you can go on the app and book another ride, although you can only do those that are available. Disney also has a select few rides that do not accept Lightning Lanes. As you can see, Universal’s system is a lot easier to navigate and obtain, which is why they will be winning this final category.
The winner?
In conclusion, Universal only won the “fast pass” category, while Disney won two categories: the “rides” and “family friendliness,” therefore Disney is the better of the two parks in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, both of these theme parks are amazing in their own ways and both will be an incredibly fun vacation. But when you put them head to head, Walt Disney World is slightly better.
The Patriot Ledger is asking readers to vote for the best school marching band on the South Shore. HHS knows there’s no contest; the Pride of Hanover Band tops them all! Show your support by voting in the free poll. Vote as often as you like before the poll closes at noon Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Spirit Week brought the school to life with a packed lineup of themed days and Homecoming events Oct. 20-25. Monday kicked things off with red, white, and blue outfits, followed by a tropical Tuesday and a “We Wear Pink” Wednesday. Thursday, students showed up in jerseys and jammies. Friday wrapped up the week with class colors, a pod decorating contest won by the “Freshman Fishtank,” and an energetic pep rally highlighted by sibling musical chairs won by the Collins’ brothers. The night continued with Senior Night for football, cheer, and band, capped off with a 42-21 football win over Quincy. The celebration ended on Saturday with the Homecoming Dance and the crowning of Brad Peterson and Morgan Curtis as king and queen.
If you rely on Medicaid, federally funded health care or the Affordable Care Act, or just can’t afford the ridiculous bills that pile up from the use of our world-renowned health care system, you’re in for a wild ride. On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed a budget bill reducing all federally funded health care programs by 25 percent. Our health care system has been struggling for a while now, and Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has exacerbated the already rough conditions faced by health care workers and patients. In the few months since it was signed, the bill has already resulted in:
Shortages of nurses and doctors
Rising prescription drug costs
Privacy and data risks from the integration of AI into recordkeeping systems
The recently ended government shutdown lasted a record 43 days partly because of health care issues, as Democrats in Congress fought to extend tax credits they argued help keep insurance affordable for millions. The shutdown ended with Republicans promising to vote on the issue, but many fear that is a token gesture since the party has enough votes to reject it.
Although our health care system is not perfect and there are disparities in care and treatment outcomes based on race, ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status, the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid have provided lifesaving care. Many people with disabilities depend on these programs to pay for medicine, treatment and even basic living expenses because they are unable to work. Others apply for benefits because of an accident or injury that keeps them out of work. But Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” — which he promises will cut taxes and wasteful spending while diverting funds to national security and immigration enforcement — decimates this support. According to the Disability Law Center, the bill makes it harder to secure and maintain disability benefits, imposes unrealistic work requirements, and cuts benefits while raising prices at the same time.
Despite Trump’s constant campaigning to the working class, it seems he could care less about what happens to most of us. Even before this budget bill, the Trump administration paved the way for many states to reduce reproductive rights for women. One of the more troubling stories from recent months is that of Adriana Smith, a Georgia nurse who was six weeks pregnant when she had a stroke in February. She was pronounced braindead. But since Georgia law prohibits abortion after six weeks excluding medical emergencies, the hospital and state argued they were legally obligated to keep Adriana “alive” until the baby was viable. This was against her family’s wishes. Our society has made a horrific, almost dystopian turn for the worse, putting moral ideas over the health and safety of women and children.
Trump also has pushed American medical research back by decades. He cut funding for kids’ cancer research, and just as scientists were figuring out the cure to AIDS, he cut that budget too. The president showed how little he understands science when he cut funding to “transgender mice.” What our presidentwas supposed to know was that scientists are studying Transgenic Mice, which are not used for transgender operations, as Trump suggested, but for research into gene function, human disease and new therapies. The mice are genetically modified by injecting DNA into a fertilized mouse egg, which is then implanted into a surrogate mother. Once born, these mice serve as invaluable research tools, with the altered DNA becoming part of every cell. So you see, there’s a big difference between transgenic mice and transgender people, but Trump certainly doesn’t get that. Yet he’s making decisions that impact the health of millions.
On the topic of transgender people, it’s hard to ignore the executive orders that Trump has issued that limit the rights of the LGBTQ community. In terms of health care, the president has attacked gender affirming care, which includes everything from getting your hair and nails done to undergoing testosterone injections and reconstructive surgery. He has decreed that no federal funding can be used in hospitals, government offices and schools to even discuss gender, let alone perform gender affirming care. He’s working double time to try to legislate trans people out of existence.
If you think these issues don’t impact you because you are not disabled, LGBTQ, a woman, or someone with health concerns, think again. As history shows, governments and people in power go after the rights of minorities first, and then slowly target other groups. What’s happening in health care will affect you whether you’re rich or poor, disabled or able bodied, cis or trans, man or woman. It’s time to wake up and protect yourself and your community against these injustices.
This year, The Hawk will profile some of the truly special students in the Class of 2026. Each issue, we’ll ask several seniors about their Hanover High School experience to get to know a little bit more about them before they head off into the world. The chosen seniors showcase excellence, whether as a team captain, award winner, club leader, or academic achiever. In our last article, we covered Leo Galvin, Abigail Kajunski, and Ireland Cronin, so go show those incredible seniors some love by reading our first article in this series! Now, these next seniors are certainly worth the wait, so let’s read about them!
Abigail Minasi
Abby moved to Hanover in July of 2013, entering kindergarten at Center School. Starting in first grade, she played baseball/softball. This spring, Abby will play Varsity Softball for her fourth year; she has served as captain for two!
In high school, Abby started playing field hockey. She describes it as ” one of the best decisions I have made going into high school.” This is because she had so much fun learning a new sport and playing with her friends. Upon entering high school, Abby had to let go of soccer. She says, “. . .at times, I do miss it.” But she is happy having gotten the opportunity to try new things.
Her favorite class at HHS has been AP Precalculus with Ms. Mathisen. She recalls, “I loved her class because she was such a nice teacher, always there when you needed a hand. She is also so easy to talk to and get extra help when needed.” Abby’s favorite high school activity was the District 1 DECA conference in junior year. She said she “had so much fun staying overnight at Quincy Marriott and participating in the role plays.”
After high school, Abby plans to go to college and become a nurse, “specifically,” she says, “a pediatric nurse.” She has always loved her science courses like AP Biology and Anatomy and Physiology. She found an appreciation for working with kids after taking Early Childhood Education, which influenced her interest in pediatric health.
Abby is most proud of making it into the National Honor Society, racking up many hours of community service, and maintaining a GPA above 4.0. Outside of school, Abby has worked at Dunkin’ for 3 years! “I started as a sophomore in 2022.”
Looking back, Abby believes junior year was her favorite year of high school. “I enjoyed the classes I took and had fun being a softball captain.” If given the chance to do high school over again, “I would take my freshman year a little more seriously and work harder to get better grades.” She wishes she had learned how to study in her freshman year. And she also wishes she had gone to more football games throughout the years.
The biggest lesson she takes away from high school? “Time flies by.” She suggests that students “make the most out of the little time you have.” Her four years of high school have gone by so fast, and she wishes she could go back and have more time.
Damaris Mejia-Miller
If you’ve been at Hanover long enough, you probably know Damaris Mejia-Miller. “I’ve lived in Hanover my whole life,” she says. “So I’ve been enrolled since kindergarten.”
From day one, sports have been a huge part of Damaris’ life. In elementary school, it was softball. In middle school, she switched to soccer. And now, she just wrapped up her last season of Varsity Volleyball, which has become one of her favorite parts of high school. “It’s such a good community and space where I feel comfortable enough to be myself,” Damaris says. “The energy in the games is just so fun and engaging.”
Something new she picked up in high school was getting more involved in clubs, something she didn’t really do in middle school. But while she’s grown a lot since then, she still misses some of those childhood moments. “In elementary school, I used to go out with my neighbors, and we’d all rollerblade and play around,” she says. “I definitely miss it since most of them have moved away or we grew apart.”
When it comes to classes, Damaris says her favorites have been Spanish, U.S. History, and Art. She especially appreciates teachers who make learning fun and engaging. “Mrs. Gately is my favorite because her class was always engaging, and she’s super understanding and easy to talk to,” she says. “I also like Mr. File because his classes are fun and really inclusive. There’s no set idea of what ‘good art’ is, and I love how he emphasizes that.”
Looking back at all four years, Damaris says sophomore year was her favorite. “My classes were really fun, and I made a lot of new friends who I’m still really close with.” But the year she’s most proud of is junior year, just because of how tough it was. “Everyone says it’s the hardest year, and I totally agree,” she says. “I took more challenging classes, and it was a lot. But I’m proud that I tried my best and got through it.”
If she could do high school all over again, she says she’d focus less on what other people think and more on just being herself. “I’d try to take freshman year more seriously, but I’d also just have fun and not stress so much.”
And if there’s one big lesson she’s learned from all of it, it’s this: “Don’t stress about what you can’t control. If you get a bad grade, accept it and try to do better next time. Staying positive helps you learn from mistakes without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.”
From kindergarten to senior year, Damaris has grown up with Hanover and it’s clear she’s leaving behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and authenticity.
The Hawk 