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Marblehead Current Wednesday, June 3, 2026 S1
CELEBRATING THE
MARBLEHEAD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2026
Senior portraits • Profiles POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE
MHS seniors prepare for graduation ceremony BY LEIGH BLANDER Final preparations are underway for the Marblehead High School Class of 2026 graduation ceremony, set for Friday, June 5 at 6 p.m. The school will graduate 183 seniors this year. Commencement exercises are scheduled to take place on Piper Field, with the ceremony moving inside the field house in the event of rain. The MHS concert band and orchestra will perform several pieces, including “Vienna” by Billy Joel and “Rivers and Roads” arranged by 2023 graduate Griffin Collins. This year’s valedictorian is Joy Meshulam, while Ian Chemel has
been named salutatorian. Class officers are President William Cruikshank, Vice President Owen Dulac, Secretary Abdullah Al Janabi and Treasurer Samara Dosch. For many seniors, graduation marks the end of a school journey shaped by unusual challenges and historic moments. Members of the Class of 2026 were in sixth and seventh grade when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schools, forcing students into remote and hybrid learning during formative middle school years. The class also experienced the Marblehead teachers strike in 2025, one of the most significant disruptions to the local school system in decades.
Over the course of their 12 years in school, the class witnessed major national and global events, including the pandemic, the widespread use of virtual learning technology, growing concerns over student mental health, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence that began reshaping education during their high school years. Now, after years marked by uncertainty and change, the Class of 2026 is preparing to celebrate a more traditional milestone together at commencement. Chair Al Williams shared this message from the School Committee: “Today we celebrate a graduating class defined not by
any single moment, but by a long journey of persistence, growth and shared experience. You arrived here as individuals, each carrying your own strengths, challenges and hopes. Over time, those individual paths formed something larger — a community shaped by effort, resilience and connection. There were days that tested you, and days that revealed what you were capable of. You learned how to adapt when things changed, how to keep going when things were difficult,and how to support one another along the way. Now you stand at the edge of something new. Not the end of a story, but the beginning of many different ones.
Wherever you go next — college, work, service, travel, or paths not yet defined — you carry forward what you have already proven here: that you can begin with uncertainty and still move forward with purpose. This moment belongs to you. Take it with you, and let it remind you of what you are capable of becoming. NOTE: This message is a result of AI attempting to use all the characters of the graduating seniors’ first names. Therefore, in a sense, you all had a part in creating this message. The School Committee looks forward to all the contributions your class and character will contribute to our society going forward. Congratulations.”
CLASS OF 2026
President Cruikshank reflects on running, leadership, community
Joy Meshulam charts her own path to become valedictorian
BY LEIGH BLANDER
BY LEIGH BLANDER
As president of the Marblehead High School Class of 2026, Will Cruikshank has spent the year helping lead his classmates toward graduation while reflecting on a high school experience shaped by challenges, friendships and miles of running through town streets. “Remote learning during COVID and the teacher strike were probably the two biggest challenges,” Cruikshank said. “My class has been MHS Class of 2026 President fortunate to be a part Will Cruikshank of some memorable will speak at and unique events — a graduation on special football game at June 5. Fenway, hockey at TD Garden and so many state championships along with some really great musicals over the years.” A lifelong Marblehead Public Schools student, Cruikshank began kindergarten at Eveleth School before moving to the newly built Glover School. “Yes — MPS since day one!” he said. Asked to describe the Class of 2026 in one word, Cruikshank chose “dynamic.” “We have standout athletes, artists, actors, musicians, bright minds, leaders and creators, but what I admire most is that nobody I know is just one thing,” he said. “Nobody fits into just one category, and I think that says a lot about who we are.”
When Marblehead High School senior Joy Meshulam got a call from Principal Michele Carlson the day before February break, her first thought was panic. “I was in the library studying,” she recalled. “Dr. Carlson called me and I thought, ‘Oh my god, what did I do wrong?’” Instead, Carlson delivered unexpected news. “You’re valedictorian.” For Meshulam, Joy Meshulam is valedictorian for the announcement the MHS Class of marked the latest 2026. milestone in a long Marblehead journey that began at the Gerry/Coffin School, continued through Village School and Veterans Middle School, and will soon take her to Dartmouth College this fall. At Dartmouth, she hopes to pursue two passions that may seem unrelated at first glance. “My two interests right now are evolutionary biology and art history,” she said. “I want to pursue my passions.” Science has long fascinated her, especially the natural world. While many students interested in animals gravitate toward veterinary medicine, Meshalum discovered that path was not for her. “I don’t want to be my veterinarian… I think it would be too stressful taking care of sick animals,” she said.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Running for MHS track has been a highlight for Will Cruikshank, who is president of the Class of 2026.
While Cruikshank has participated in a wide range of activities, he said running had the greatest impact on his high school years. “Hands down, the highlight of my time at MHS has been running cross country and track under coaches Brian Heenan and Will Herlihy,” he said. “Running made my high school career. Through running, I’ve met the best of friends, and I’ve learned so much about myself. Marblehead is a beautiful place to run, and I think I’ve been down just about every street. I’m grateful that it’s something I can continue for years to come.” Academically, he said two classes stood out. PRESIDENT, P. S8
C L A S S
COURTESY PHOTOS
Joy Meshulam was the first female captain of the MHS golf team.
Instead, she hopes to study animals from another angle. “I want to study animals, without providing medical care,” Meshulam explained. In fact, Meshulam dreams not just of studying wildlife but of discovering something entirely new. “My overall dream in life right now is … I want to discover a new species,” she said. The criteria are specific. “It has to be an animal, multi-cellular and terrestrial,” she explained. Meshulam recently read about newly discovered geckos in a cave, an example that reinforced her fascination with exploration and discovery. At the same time, Meshulam has VALEDICTORIAN, P. S8
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CONGRATULATIONS FROM ALL OF US AT NGB BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW