Class of 2026
Published by The Inquirer and Mirror
The Nantucket Yacht Club congratulates its 2026 scholarship recipients
Dayanara Garcia, Charlotte Hoilman, Cora Iller, and Sayam Thapamagar. They will each receive a scholarship of $10,000 per year for four years.
The Nantucket Yacht Club Foundation has been supporting island scholars since 2001. In addition, prior-year scholarship recipients from the class of 2025, 2024, 2023, continue to receive scholarship support from the Nantucket Yacht Club Foundation.
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
Charlotte Hoilman Providence College Elementary and Special Education
Sayam Thapamagar Wentworth Institute of Technology
Dayanara Garcia Curry College Nursing
Cora Iller Villanova University Nursing
To the Class of 2026:
Each spring, The Inquirer and Mirror celebrates the graduating seniors of Nantucket High School as they prepare to take the next step into the rest of their lives.
For the 149 members of the Class of 2026, their public-school education has been a challenging and unusual one, with hybrid and at-home learning during the pandemic, and intramural instead of interscholastic fall sports in middle school due to COVID-19. Self-quarantining, mask mandates and “remote learning” were not even in the lexicon a decade ago.
Most of their high school years marked a return to some semblance of normalcy, but in addition to the scars COVID learning left behind, there were new challenges your parents never had to deal with: cyber-bullying and the hypnotic lure of smart phones, streaming services and social media.
But most importantly, the Class of 2026, like those that came before at Nantucket High School, has been nurtured and supported by an unparalleled community of educators, parents, friends and sometimes strangers. On Friday evening, these students will receive their diplomas in the presence of all those people watching proudly.
The challenges and frustrations of the past four years should in no way diminish all that this senior class has accomplished during its time in high school: the academic and athletic successes, the friendships made and lifetime bonds forged.
The memories this class shares will be all the stronger because of its perseverance in such unusual times.
We are publishing this supplement to celebrate this most resilient class, to congratulate them and wish them the best of luck in whatever future endeavors they may pursue.
– The Staff of The Inquirer and Mirror
Contents
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE PAGE 5
NANTUCKET HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2026 PAGE 8
PUBLISHED BY
The Inquirer and Mirror
Publisher Robert Saurer
editor Joshua H. Balling
Advertising director Mary Sharpe
Advertising sAles Alexandro Sforza
Production Meghan Luksic
©2026 Published by
Inquirer and Mirror
The Inquirer and Mirror would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting this publication
DOROTHY HARRISON EGAN FOUNDATION
2026 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
SOFIA ABREU - $7,000
Simmons University
MARIKA ALCOTT - $6,000
Upper Cape Cod Tech
UGNE ALEKNAITE - $11,000
SOPHIE GERARDI - $11,000
Creighton University
CHLOE GIRVIN - $8,000
SAMON OOMEN-LOCHTEFELD - $13,000
Tufts University School of Medicine
KATSIARYNA ORTEGA - $7,000
Syracuse University King's College
CHELSEA GROSS - $6,000
LISHAE PAPLEY-BECKFORD - $6,000
UMASS Dartmouth Fairleigh Dickinson University Bay Path University
ALISON BAMBER - $8,000
HANNAH HARRINGTON - $8,000
KALINA PARUSHEVA - $10,000
Sacred Heart University UMASS Amherst Boston University
CIARA BARNETT - $9,000
JOEDY-ANN HARPOOL - $6,000
MERLIN ORELLANA RIVAS - $7,000 UCONN Upper Cape Cod Tech UMASS Dartmouth
ALLYSON BOLD - $11,000
ELEANOR HOFFORD - $8,000
KATRINA SANDE - $6,000
MGH Institute of Health Professions Gordon College Cape Cod Community College
WAVERLY BRANNIGAN - $11,000
ELISSA HOLDGATE - $6,000
MARTINA SAVONA - $7,000 Suffolk University Villanova University UMASS Amherst
LYRIC BRYANT - $5,500
SARAH HORN - $9,000
University of Southern Maine Boston University School of Medicine
SHANIA CAMPBELL - $3,500
MADISON HUGHES - $11,000
JENNIFER SCHAEFFER - $11,000
Maryville University
OLIVIA SCOTT - $9,000 Curry College Johnson & Wales University Simmons University
LUCETA CAMPBELL-CHRISTIAN - $4,500
Cape Cod Community College
TATIANA HERNANDEZ CASTRO - $6,000
Cape Cod Community College
CARLA CHAVEZ - $5,000
Weber State University
MARGARET CULKINS - $10,000
UMASS Boston
LAUREN CUTONE - $8,000
Bates College
HANNAH DALTON - $10,000
Boston College
DYLAN DAMIAN - $6,000
University of New Hampshire
VICTORIA DIXON - $10,000
Louisville School of Medicine
BILIANA DOUNTCHEVA - $7,000
Brown University
DARIAN DUARTE - $11,000
Life University
SARA DUSSAULT - $6,000
MELISSA HUTCHINSON - $6,000
Wilkes University
CORA ILLER - $6,000
Villanova University
YAMIKANI KALIPHEE - $3,500
Manchester Community College
QUINN KEATING - $9,000
UMASS Amherst
KATIE KLATT - $6,000
Endicott College
JULIA KRYSZTOFORSKA - $6,000
UMASS Boston
JUSTICE KYOMITMAITEE - $6,000
Mass College of Pharmacy
JENNIFER LAMB - $11,000
LILLA SHARMAN - $10,000
Simmons University
ANJALI SINJALI - $11,000
Harrisburg University
TINITA SIRISOPHAPONG - $7,000
Simmons University
OWEN SULLIVAN - $7,000
Rensselear Polytechnic Insitute
ANDREA TEJADA-HERCULES - $7,000
UMASS Amherst
MADISON TORMAY - $6,000
University of Alabama
SARAH TROTTIER - $12,000
Chamberlain University
BRIANA WALLACE - $6,000
Quinnipiac University Palm Beach State College
ADRIANA LOPEZ - $9,000
ALEXANDRA WEEDON - $6,000
Quinnipac University University of Mississippi
AMANDA MACK - $6,000
SCOTT WHELDEN - $9,000
Anna Arundel Community College University of Michigan
MAILE MANEJIT - $8,000
MACLAINE WILLETT - $6,000
Merrimack College Quincy College Boston College
CANDACE FERGUSON - $5,000
Weber State University
JAZMIN FLORES - $7,000
AUDREY MANNING - $9,000
ALEXANDRA WISENTANER - $6,000
Arizona State University Fairfield University
CAITLIN MATTHESON - $6,000
RITA WOOD - $6,000
Mass Bay Community College Capella University College of Charleston
ESTER FRIEDMAN - $10,000
Franklin Pierce University
DAYANARA GARCIA - $6,000
Curry College
MIA GAZAILLE - $6,000
Sacred Heart University
LATEEFAH MCGOWAN - $6,000
JULIA YANCY - $11,000
UMASS Amherst Simmons University
IMANI MCKENZIE - $3,500
SAMANTHA ZADROGA - $7,000
Nightingale College Fairfield University
MADDELINE MUISE - $7,000
MOLLY ZEGANS - $11,000
University of New Hampshire Boston University
KALINA NATCHEVA - $9,000
St Lawrence University
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL RECIPIENTS
The Dorothy Harrison Egan Foundation awards scholarships for study within the healthcare community
Principal’s Message
It is difficult to believe that in just a few short days, I will be calling your names as you walk across the stage to receive your diplomas. How did these last four years go by so quickly?
You were the first class since the pandemic to enter Nantucket High School without masks or COVID-19 restrictions. Because of that, I had more opportunities to get to know many of you. Some of you I know better than others because you spent a great deal of time in my office – you know who you are! For those of you whom I have only had the chance to get to know this year, that is truly my loss.
You are about to begin the next chapter of your life’s journey. As you do, I hope you will look back on your days at NHS with fond memories. While there have certainly been some challenging days, there have also been many moments filled with friendship and laughter. I hope those memories sustain you during the difficult days that may be ahead, because challenges are a part of life.
When they come, remember all that you have accomplished, the talents you possess and the obstacles you have already overcome. Lean on your fellow classmates: the teammates who stood beside you in the hallways, on the court, on the field, and, of course, your trusted wing people throughout Senior Assassin.
Most of all, dream big. You have proven yourselves to be a class filled with ambition, determination and the drive to achieve your goals. Reaching them takes hard work, but each and every one of you has what it takes to create the future you envision.
Embrace new possibilities, believe in yourself and never underestimate your ability to make a difference. You have already done so within the halls of Nantucket High School.
As we begin to say our goodbyes, carry the lessons you learned at NHS with you. Turn to them when you face important decisions and uncertain moments. Know that we believe in you and that you have the knowledge, ability, resilience and confidence to overcome whatever challenges come your way.
On behalf of all your teachers, I can say without hesitation that we are incredibly proud of you. I look forward to hearing about all that you are about to accomplish. Congratulations, Class of 2026. Be bold, take chances, make mistakes, learn from them, and become the person you are meant to be.
Above all, know that you are cared for and loved for exactly who you are. Remember to always love yourself first, be kind to others and hug your families.
Love you with all my heart,
M. Hilemn
Congratulations to NCH’s 2026 Beinecke Scholarship Recipients
Nantucket Cottage Hospital is pleased to award 35 Beinecke Scholarships totaling $60,000 to island students, Nantucket residents, and hospital staff who are pursuing education and training in medical and healthcare fields.
Sofia Abreu
Sofia Abreu
Marika Alcock
Marika Alcock
Chelsea Gross
Justice Kyomitmaitee
Joedy-Ann Harpool
Jennifer Lamb
Mia Pereira
Alexis Perrell
Congratulations to the Community Foundation for Nantucket
2026 Scholarship Recipients!
Ann & Michael Rosenblatt
Women in Math Scholarship
Shelbi Harimon - College of Charleston, Honor College
Elissa Holdgate - Villanova University
Baxter Waldman Memorial Scholarship
Carley Ray - Iowa State University
Ashley Klatt - Endicott College
Dylan Damian - University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Noah Stringer - Wentworth Institute of Technology
Gamarley Smith - University of Hartford
Charles “Jack” Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Ashley Klatt - Endicott College
Chris Witte Memorial Scholarship
Tatum Corbett - Endicott College
Diogo Dias - University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Gamarley Smith - University of Hartford
Emily Stover Memorial Scholarship
Alondra Barragan - Bridgewater State University
Gary & Glenn DaSilva Scholarship
Noah Stringer - Wentworth Institute of Technology
James F. Lentowski Conservation Scholarship
Claire Martin - Wheaton College
Evan Belanger - Montana State University
J.L. & Donna M. Fox Scholarship
Ashley Klatt - Endicott College
Hildee Medieros - Sacred Heart University
Michael J. Roche Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Cecilia Wendelken - Maine Maritime Academy
Evan Belanger - Montana State University
Nantucket Looms Scholarship
Carley Ray - Iowa State University
Pat Martin Scholarship
Eleanor Hoffard - Gordon College
Sally Roberts Mentor Scholarship
Hildee Medieros - Sacred Heart University
Maggie O’Keefe - Salve Regina*
Hannah Gerardi - University of Massachusetts - Amherst*
Sarah Lily Remick - Endicott College*
Madi Muise - University of New Hampshire*
Ugne Aleknaite
Ugne Aleknaite
Madison Hughes
Adriana Lopez
Hillary Reynolds
Henry W. Fee Jr. Scholarship
Shredder’s Art Studio Scholarship
Ciara Barnett
Ciara Barnett
Cora Iller
Amanda Mack
Shannon Ross
Hannah Gerardi - University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Emery Bouchard - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Allyson Bold
Allyson Bold
Waverly Brannigan
Waverly Brannigan
Margaret Culkins
Margaret Culkins
Hannah Dalton
Hannah Dalton
Jazmin Estrada Flores
Madison Iller
Katie Klatt
Caitlin Mattheson
Ebony Moodie
Justice Kyomitmaitee
Mia Pereira
Jennifer Lamb
Alexis Perrell
Adriana Lopez
Martina Savova
Anjali Sinjali
Tinita Sirisophapong
Sarah Trottier
Alexandra Wisentaner
Claire Misurelli - University of Massachusetts - Amherst*
Waverly Brannigan - Syracuse University*
Samraj Khatri - Wentworth Institute of Technology*
Jack Pignato Memorial Scholarship
Gabriella Nikolva - Northeastern University
Miso Minevski - University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Shadia Sabrah - MA College of Art & Design
Nantucket Arts Council Scholarship
Esther Friedman
Jazmin Estrada Flores
Amanda Mack
Hillary Reynolds
Samantha Zadroga
Chloe Girvin - Syracuse University
Emery Bouchard - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Esther Friedman
Dayanara Garcia
Caitlin Mattheson
Shannon Ross
Molly Zegans
Gabriella Nikolova - Northeastern University
Jaeger Family–NiSHA Scholarship
Sophie Gerardi
Dayanara Garcia
Sophie Gerardi
Chelsea Gross
Joedy-Ann Harpool
Madison Hughes
Cora Iller
Madison Iller
Katie Klatt
Ebony Moodie
Martina Savova
Anjali Sinjali
Tinita Sirisophapong
Sarah Trottier
Alexandra Wisentaner
Samantha Zadroga
Molly Zegans
Cecilia Wendelken - Maine Maritime Academy
Evan Belanger - Montana State University
Suzanne T. Gardner Memorial Scholarship
William Martin - Salve Regina University
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients and to the class of 2026!
*Recurring Scholarships
Nantucket High School
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
2026 Senior Ball
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
Photo by Joelle Bouchard
CLASS SONG: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
CLASS COLORS: Navy and White
Nantucket High Class of
Yamila Abreu Di Vincenzo Fisher College
Nyla Da Cruz Undecided
Karla Alvarez Contreras Cape Cod Community College
Sergio Chavez -Lemus Gap Year
Marlon Baez Oporta Work
Dylan Damian University of Massachusetts Amherst
Shakhzoda Amanova Webster University
Keepa Dangol University of Massachusetts Boston
Sharona Davy Rochester Institute of Technology
Sadie Aguilar-Portillo Bridgewater State University
Darlyn Chavez Cortez Work
Snyder Arana-Aleman Work
Braelyn Daily College of Charleston
Dalena Garcia Sosa Florida International University
Samuel Galdamez Rubio Work
David Foley Travel Benjamin Freeman Coastal Carolina University
Shayquan Francis Savannah College of Art and Design
Olivia Gillies Roger Williams University
Dayanara Garcia Turcios Curry College
Annie Ard Arizona State University
High School of 202 6
CLASS QUOTE: “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein
CLASS FLOWER: Pink Rose
Marina Cassano Roger Williams University
Lucy Bell University of Massachusetts Amherst
Ashley De Oliveira Providence College
Walter Barrera Diaz Work
Amare Bramwell Bunker Hill Community College
Andersson Diaz Mendoza Work
David Boulter Belmont Abbey College
Ronald Del Rosario Gomez Northern Essex Community College
Soren Edwardes Work
Emery Bouchard Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Cali Caron Stevenson University
Sara Dussault Merrimack College
Allyson Escobar-Rauda Fisher College
Keonna Edwards University of New England
Estella Grow University of Virginia
Chelsea Gross Farleigh Dickinson University
Adriana Graham Colby-Sawyer College
Tristan Grimes IMG Academy (5th Year)
Jacob Grant Work
Jacqueline Gutierrez Campos Work Arann Hanlon California Institute of Technology
Cora Iller Villanova University
Elissa Holdgate Villanova University
Charlotte Hoilman Providence College
Shelbi Harimon College of Charleston
Tatiana Hernandez Castro Cape Cod Community College
Jacob Heneke Dartmouth College
Alexander Ivilov University of Richmond
Ashley Klatt Endicott College
Fiona Keltz University of Washington
Clementine Kelly College of Charleston
Kaitlyn Konkel University of Evansville
Julia Krysztoforska University of Massachusetts Boston
Katie Klatt Endicott College
Nikolas Krastev College of Charleston
Aliza Mansfield Merrimack College
Brenda Macias Cape Cod Community College
Dorian Manov Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Colby Lucas Syracuse University
Franklin Lopez Cape Cod Community College
William Martin Salve Regina University
Axel Marquez Work
Baerhuk O’Banion College of Charleston
Jay Nolasco
Alexandra Nikulina Northeastern University
Natalie O’Brien University of Maine
James Occhiuto Iona University
Cristobal Paz Zenis Work
Sadie Paterson College of the Holy Cross
Vallon Jeanty University of Massachusetts Amherst
Bianca Japp Fordham University
Travon James Bridgewater State University
Johanna Jimenez Mejia Cape Cod Community College
Jeremy Jenkinson United States Army
Canton Jenkinson Wentworth Institute of Technology
Myah Johnson Villanova University
Marco La Chuisa Montana State University
Justice Kyomitmaitee Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Andrew Lavin Suffolk University
Danielle Lewis Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sutton LeBrecht University of Tennessee
Janely Lemus Massachusetts Bay Community College
Jeremy Lopez Regalado Work
Hildee Medeiros Sacred Heart University
Tyler Miller Wentworth Institute of Technology
Marin Mooney Endicott College
Clan-Alee Moore Cape Cod Community College
Vanessa Moreno Cape Cod Community College
Nolen Mosscrop Virginia Tech
Gabriella Nikolova Northeastern University
Danina Penova University of Miami
Preslava Penkova Georgetown University
Cesar Pena-Gutierrez Cape Cod Community College
Santos Perez-Castro Ben Franklin Institute
Hannah Phillips-Omoyinbo Boston University
James Phillips-Durfee Cape Cod Community College
Bianca Pineda Guevara Merrimack College
Vincent Raimo Massachusetts Maritime Academy
David Posada Avelar Work
Lesly Pleitez Gap Year
Jordaliz Rondon Gutierrez Gap Year
Diego Roman Espinoza Work
Rashawn Wray Westfield State University
Alejandro Vivas Nunez Springfield College
Alexandra Wisentaner Fairfield University
Alice Wetherill-Smith Palm Beach State College
Carley Ray Iowa State University
Montgomery Ray Gap Year Georgia Ray Work
Luis Ramirez Ochoa Work
Denzel Tejada Work
Henry Tejada Vargas Northern Essex Community College
Estefany Tejada Aguilar Regis College
Rose Rosales University of Massachusetts Amherst
Duban Ruiz Ospina Work
Morgan Ryder Elon University
Weston Scott Wentworth Institute of Technology
Terence Scarlett Coastal Carolina University
Fernanda Tejada Fisher College
Kashvi Thapamagar Boston University Sayam Thapamagar Wentworth Institute of Technology
Lilian Wullschleger College of Charleston
Benjamin Yates Palm Beach Atlantic University
Nicholas Yates Palm Beach Atlantic University
Ryder Tartamella Pennsylvania College of Technology
Diego Rodriguez Work
Ellis Robinson Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Xavy Rivas Rondon Northeast Maritime Institute
Orlin Rodriguez Suffolk University
Dakara Turner Lincoln Technical Institute
Mirna Vega Tejada Cape Cod Community College
Patrick Valero Work
Henry Riden Middlebury College
Kenneth Regalado Pena Bunker Hill Community College
Phoenix Ray Simmons College
Gamarley Smith University of Hartford
Gaven Smith Suffolk University
Noah Stringer Wentworth Institute of Technology
Numa Solano Lincoln Technical Institute
Ava Simpson Wentworth Institute of Technology
Mariana Silva Marchi College of Charleston
Julia Settle Massachusetts Bay Community College
Samuel Trott Bridgewater State University
Madison Tormay University of Alabama
Ky-Mani Thomas Bridgewater State University Teja Thompson Cape Cod Community College
Sophia Yelverton Quinnipiac University
Jimena Zuleta Areiza Cape Cod Community College
Not pictured: Nicoli Marques Kevin Decena
Port & starboard
Jib & main
Keep it on course
You will tack towards more great adventures.
NANTUCKET PRIDE
CONGRATULATES THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2026
We are proud to celebrate you and all that you have accomplished. May you all find joy, laughter, resilience and community each and every day as embark on this new adventure.
Nantucket