Tag Archives: travel

Class of 2025: Thanks for the Memories!

By Bradlee Dowling, ‘26 and Sienna Lamond, ‘26

Staff Writers

As the Class of 2025 prepares to turn the page, we asked seniors to look back and share their favorite memories. From unforgettable games to lifelong friendships, here’s what students who responded to The Hawk survey said were the highlights of their time at HHS.

For Sophie Schiller, Madi Pongratz, and Marisa Anderson, it was winning the 2022 MIAA Girls Division 3 State Championship. For Max Aikins, it was game two of the baseball playoffs his junior year. Noey Giardina won’t forget the thrill of hitting a grand slam against Whitman-Hanson during junior year softball. Samantha Ferguson loved cheering at the Friday night football games, while Tyler Vincent loved playing in them. 

Izabella Latessa will always remember being a leader on the 2024 competitive cheerleading team, and winning the state title senior year. Lochlan Garvey cherished playing rugby during his freshman and sophomore years, learning from older teammates and passing that mentorship forward as a senior captain. Cat Reinhart will never forget her field hockey Senior Night win against Norwell, an “incredible comeback.” Avan Puzzangara loved making the final four for girls lacrosse junior year.

Thomas Perkins’ highlight was playing at TD Garden in his junior year for hockey, and Matt Jenkins’ was winning the hockey title in 2022. Luke Fanning’s top memory was the 2024 hockey playoff run, when the team returned to the TD Garden. Olivia Froehlich’s favorite moments were cheering at the hockey games with classmates, while Reese Curran loved the state championship win at the Garden freshman year.

Aidan Boutin shared that his best times came from playing sports and hanging out with his teammates.“The bond you create within sports is unmatched as you crawl through the mud with teammates but also break bread together,” he said.

Matt Lombardi loved managing the boys basketball team, and Alexandra Marinis loved playing soccer. Addison Baldinelli highlighted the energy and excitement of preparing for and performing with the dance teams. Scott Theriault picked his first high school lacrosse game, and Cole Sullivan chose the semifinal football game versus Danvers in junior year. Noah DeMuele loved playing football and rugby. Michael Sawaya treasured joining the golf team, building a second family, and feeling the support and unity of teammates. Ryan Shea loved the 2023 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium; Kelly Gould echoed that and added the hockey title games at the TD Garden. Matt Puglia said his highlight was cheering on friends at any sporting event.

Elizabeth Curtis and Bell Keenan will never forget HHS Spirit Weeks. Dylan Clark loved the trip to Canobie Lake park in his freshman year and Amelia Begin loved all the “freshman year fun.” Maddie Curtis found joy in the magic of proms and all the unforgettable senior events. Max Goitia recalled the amazing experience of traveling to Spain with Mr. Perry, while Malcolm Beliveau loved being in Mr. Perry’s history class.

Tyler Neville will always remember playing a song he wrote at a concert and for friends. Grace Witt and Julia Fitzgerald picked the Band and Chorus trip to DisneyWorld junior year. James Bison loved the Christmas concert freshman year. Casey LaBelle enjoyed watching films in Mr. Picardi’s History Through Film class. Aevyn Brink loved their time with the HHS performing arts department, and Adrian Nickerson will cherish the annual district arts show. 

For Kaylee Lupien and Brooke Barber, the most meaningful memory was something simple but lasting: meeting their friends. Ella Brinkman will never forget her friends and teachers. Ava Curran echoed them both: “The highlight of my time at HHS was the new friends I’ve made and the amazing teachers I’ve met who have helped me a ton.”

Class of 2025: Hawks Prepare to Leave the Nest

By Avery Bridson, ‘27, and Ryan Costello, ‘27

Staff Writers

As graduation approaches, it is time to celebrate the achievements and future plans of the 169 members of the Class of 2025. Seniors who responded to a survey from The Hawk or who posted on the hhs25.decisions Instagram account by our publication deadline shared many different paths, each reflecting their hard work, goals, and aspirations for the next chapter of their lives.

Humanities 

Aevyn Brink will study history at Simmons University, while Eli McCombs plans to pursue a humanities degree at Brandeis University. Amelia Begin will study Communications at Quinnipiac University, while Ava Curran will study film and communications at Bridgewater State. Madi Pongratz will attend the University of Rhode Island for sports media and communications. Courtney McGinnis will study political science at the University of South Carolina. 

Several seniors will pursue their creative passions. Dante Heffron will major in music composition at the University of South Carolina, while Paige Cleary will study art history at the Mass. College of Art and Design.

Among our future teachers will be Nina Toglia, heading to Merrimack College, and Lexi McMullen, attending Florida Atlantic University; both will pursue degrees in elementary education. Natalie Alba will major in speech pathology and minor in elementary education at Bridgewater State, while Olivia Graham studies speech pathology at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. 

Law & Enforcement

Alexandra Marinis will major in criminology at Endicott College, and Callie Baldwin will take the same path at Virginia Tech. Casey LaBelle will attend Emmanuel College, choosing between criminal justice and law, while Kenzie Jacobs has committed to studying law and justice at the University of Kentucky. Riley McCormick plans to pursue English and pre-law at Fairfield University. Matthew Puglia will pursue criminal justice in college, as will James Bison, who heads to Merrimack College, and Elizabeth Curtis, who will study at Salve Regina University while participating in the Army ROTC. 

Kaylee Lupien will major in forensic science and minor in criminal justice at the University of New Hampshire, while Noey Giardina studies the field at the University of New Haven. Matt Lombardi heads to Quincy College with plans to join the Boston Police Department, and Athena Laskos will combine marketing with pre-law at Suffolk University. Gavin Hardy will study emergency management at Mass. Maritime.

Life Sciences & Health Care

For nursing, Abby Flynn heads to Xavier University; Addison Baldinelli and Ellie Handrahan will go to Providence College; Brenna Scott will attend Trevecca Nazarene University; Cam Bradford will go to Westfield State University (where she will play basketball); Emma Lyons heads to Saint Anselm College; Lily Chiappini goes to the University of Rhode Island; Marisa Anderson heads to UConn; and Sam Baker studies at Sacred Heart; and Sam Ferguson goes to UMass Amherst. Ella Brinkman plans to study nursing at Quinnipiac University with plans to become a nurse in Boston and eventually a girls’ lacrosse coach. 

Jentina Nguyen will focus on radiology at the Mass. College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Melike Corbaci will major in health sciences at UMass Boston and Alana Coutts will study Allied Health Sciences at UConn. Pursuing psychology will be Brooklyn Scott at Trevecca Nazarene University, Caroline Straut at Providence College, Izzy Latessa at UMass Amherst, Kelly Gould at the University of South Carolina (with the goal of becoming a children’s therapist) and Rachael Foley at Virginia Tech. Ruby Telepak will study psychology and pre-law at Roanoke College, while also competing on the cycling team. Fiona Flaherty will major in communication disorders at the University of Rhode Island, and Riley Clarke will study athletic training at the University of Tampa.

On the life-science front, Amelia Rea will study biology at Endicott College, while Maddie Monahan pursues the field at UMass Amherst and Kasper Borkiewicz goes to the Univ. of Tampa. Abby Taylor will major in kinesiology at the University of Rhode Island. Megan Nguyen plans to study microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics at UCLA. Nicole Rathgeber will enter Providence College with a biochemistry pre-med course.

STEM

For computer science, Adam Polk will attend UMass Boston, Dylan Clark heads to UMass Amherst, Jeremy Laprise will attend the Univ of Vermont, and Max Aikins will study at UMass Lowell, where he’ll also focus on software development. Will Hines will combine computer science with football at Williams College, while Cullen Chadwick attends Villanova for computer engineering.

To study biomedical engineering, Julia Fitzgerald will attend Cornell University, John Keegan will attend the University of Vermont, and Brian Tawa will head to UMass Amherst. Matt Jenkins will pursue mechanical engineering at the University of South Carolina’s College of Engineering. Grace Witt will study both environmental science and engineering at Wheaton College, aiming to advance conservation efforts while Adrian Nickerson explores marine science and environmental safety at Mass. Maritime Academy. Juneau Mofford will pursue marine science and play rugby at the University of Delaware. 

Joseph Signor will major in aeronautical science for flight at the Florida Institute of Technology. Ryan Shea will study architecture and design at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Those with a passion for numbers, like Thomas Perkins at UMass Amherst and Tyler Neville at Ithaca College, will major in mathematics.

Trades 

Ethan Darcy will study a trade, while Robert Antonetti, Colby Kehoe and Scott Theriault plan to become electricians. Cameron Fish will pursue HVAC, while April Hamilton attends mortuary school. Tyler Bean plans to join the sprinker fitters union and maybe try college in the spring. Michael Sawaya will study automotive technology at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, with hopes of running the family’s gas station and auto repair business. Marie Fortier will attend the Collectiv Academy Braintree for hairdressing.

Military 

Cam Scott plans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, while David Bonilla and Stuart Moore are set to become U.S. Army Rangers. 

Business

Business majors include Ansh Patel at Northeastern University; Ava Puzzangara at Southern New Hampshire University, where she will also be playing lacrosse; Gannon Doherty at the University of Alabama; Josie McCarthy and Olivia Henry at the University of Tennessee; Katie Little at the University of New Hampshire; Lochlan Garvey at Mount Saint Mary’s University, where he will also be playing rugby; Olivia Froelich at the University of Rhode Island and Ana Alcantara at Bryant University. Martina Kelly will pursue the major at Endicott College, along with Ben Johnson, who will also be playing football. Lukas Maynardand Love’on Flowers will study business and play football at Curry College, while Aiden Boutin pursues business and plays rugby at Fairfield. 

Students majoring in finance include Ben Freedman at Saint Michael’s College, where he will also be playing baseball; Brennan McCarthy at Saint Anselm; Camryn Kemp at the University of South Carolina; Charlie Mitchelson at the University of Tennessee; Connor Godfrey at Fairfield University; Connor McCue at the University of Central Florida; James Bristol and Sophia Mendoza at UMass Amherst; Max Merra at Bentley University; Tyler Vincent at Providence College; Ryan Burke at Virginia Tech; Cooper Horner at the University of Pittsburgh; and Keira Long at Miami University.

Grace Monahan, Cole Sullivan, Macklin Ball and Maddie Curtis will head to UMass Amherst to study marketing or management. For marketing, Keira Greeley will attend Simmons University, while Lacey Manolakis heads to Quinnipiac University; Luke Fanning heads to Stonehill College; Owen Murphy attends Lynn University and Sophie Schiller heads to the University of Connecticut. Noah DeMeule will study sports management at Nichols College.

Economics majors include Annie Dougherty and Jenny Dougherty at UMass Amherst; Matthew Donnelly at UMass Amherst; and Matt Bellerby at the University of Richmond, where he will also play rugby. Those pursuing accounting include Aiden Richards and Analesa O’Grady at Indiana University; Catherine Reinhart at the University of South Carolina; and Hannah Geary at Penn State. 

Max Goitia will study environmental and natural resource economics at UMass Amherst, while Luke Sheridan studies business communication at the University of South Florida. Andrew Long heads to Roger Williams University to study construction management, which Erin Joyce will pursue at Merrimack College. For hospitality management, Kelsey Anastasiades will attend the University of South Carolina and Savannah-Leigh Draheim heads to UMass Amherst.

College – Undecided

Abby Hanna will attend Johnson and Wales University where she will also play softball, while Charlotte Wheeler and Reese Curran head to the University of New Hampshire. Abe Dehner has committed to Bentley University; Anthony George and Matthew Donnelly will attend Stonehill College; Ava Good heads to Roger Williams University; and Bell Keenan will study at Massasoit Community College. Marley Gallagher heads to UMass Amherst, Natalie Gilpatrick will study at Emmanuel College and Noah Balewicz will attend Bridgewater State. Brooke Barber and Malcolm Beliveau are still making plans for what comes next.

Cedar Street Cafe: a Sweet Spot at HHS

By Bradlee Dowling, ’26

Staff Writer

At the heart of Hanover High School is a hub of hard-working students dedicated to serving the school community with warm baked goods and coffee: Cedar Street Café. This beloved café has a unique origin story: for many years, students in the RISE and POST programs have been making treats to sell to teachers at Cedar School. About three years ago, HHS Principal Mr. Mattos approved bringing the operation here, where its weekly shop has flourished.

The RISE and POST programs at HHS work with special needs students from ages 14-22 on academics, life skills and social/communication skills. The programs are run by Mr. O’Hare and Ms. Melone, assisted by a team of paraprofessionals who help tailor learning to each student’s needs. Ms. Mann and Ms. Drinkwater, the paras helping run the cafe on a recent visit, explained that the goal is to teach students about handling money and providing excellent customer service. They also shared that their favorite aspect of the café is the interaction between the students and their peers.

Students and teachers in the RISE and POST programs typically shop for the week on Mondays and bake the treats on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. When Thursday comes around, three students manage the café out of room 111. One takes orders, another prepares the coffee and packs baked goods, and the third handles transactions. As a student myself, I can confidently say that Cedar Street Café brings joy to everyone’s day. The moment the announcement is made over the loudspeaker, half the class rushes to the café. When they return, they’re all smiles, carrying delicious treats.

Now, you’re probably wondering what’s on the menu. Ms. Mann says that the blueberry cake and coffee cake are not only her personal favorites but also a fan favorite among students. However, the café offers so much more: cookies, lemon cake, pumpkin bread, coffee, blondie brownies, regular brownies and sugar cookies have been up for sale. One thing everyone knows about Cedar Street Café is its love for seasonal treats! In the fall, they serve pumpkin-flavored goodies; in the winter, they offer holiday cookies and hot chocolate; and in the spring, lemon bread becomes the go-to treat.

The café is always looking for new ideas, and the teachers encourage students to share suggestions. If you have a specific treat in mind, submit your ideas using the Google Form linked below! Keep in mind, the café operates as cash-only to give students valuable hands-on experience in handling money and practicing essential math skills.

Cedar Street Café is more than just a place to grab a snack—it’s a bright spot in the day for students and staff alike, and a cornerstone of our school community.

To submit suggestions on items to offer: https://forms.gle/Jrkrjr5qD4hP5Ys36

Cheer Squad Makes History with State Crown

By Emily Davis, ’27

Sports Editor

The Hanover High School Competition Cheer team won first place in the MSAA Division 3 State Championship on Nov. 24, the first state title for the team in school history. Their score of 94.7 was 1.5 points higher than the second place finisher and the highest score HHS Cheer has ever received.

En route to the state title, the squad was named Patriot League Champions and event Grand Champions on Nov. 6. They continued their winning streak at the 2024 MSAA South Regional Championship, surpassing their recent scoring record to win that crown as well. 

Senior captains Izzy Latessa and Lily Chiappini both agreed that this year was a dream come true. The success of the team comes from more than just an excellent routine; as Chiappini stated, it comes from, “the strong bonds we built and the heart and soul we put into everything we did.”

“Winning states has shown us,” Chiappini added, “that when we believe in each other and want it, we can win it!”

The squad performs during the Homecoming Week pep rally in October.
The Competition Cheer team poses in front of the new state title banner in the HHS cafeteria.