May 27, 2026 by Carol Britton Meyer (senior class photos provided)
The Hingham High School Class of 2026 officers shared what makes their class unique and special, their favorite memories, how HHS helped prepare them for the future, and what they are most looking forward to upon graduation, with the Hingham Anchor.
Congratulations to every member of the graduating class!
Emily Kiernan – president – As graduation nears and the year-end activities set in, it has finally hit me that this is our last year attending Hingham High School together. Just this morning, my teacher played a video from my pre-school graduation, and it made me realize how long we as the Class of 2026 have been on this journey together and how bittersweet the end of that journey feels.
For years I have heard about the excitement that surrounds this time of year, but now that I am living through it I could not be more grateful for my time at Hingham High School, and I have the entire Class of 2026 to thank for this. What truly sets our class apart is the deep sense of community and dedication that defines our grade. It was pure happenstance that brought us all together, yet from this accidental beginning we have all grown and learned together. Although we have made mistakes along the way, we have constantly shown up to support one another and have grown from a group of individuals to a united class ready to celebrate our collective accomplishments together.
When I think about all of the memories I have at Hingham High, I can’t help but smile as endless things fill my mind. One that truly sticks out was the Harbor Bowl flag football game our class played at the beginning of this year. Through hard work and diligent follow-through, we were able to recreate an event that many years ago had been an annual tradition.
The Harbor Bowl consisted of two teams of seniors playing each other in an epic flag football game. The competitiveness of our class truly came out as each team battled for a win. In the end, it was not winning or losing that stuck out to me the most but how our class came together to play, coach, support, and cheer this event on. I was lucky enough to be playing on the field (I was QB1) and could feel the energy of the Class of 2026 radiating throughout the stadium.
But it is not only large events like Harbor Bowl that left an impact on me. I look back with pride on all that the Class of 2026 has accomplished, in academics, music, drama, athletics and other activities. We have had a truly unforgettable experience navigating the last 12+ years and have made countless memories, both large and small. In fact, it is the small moments that stay with us forever that I treasure most of all.
I will never forget the endless laughs in the halls, using lunch as a 30 minute period to take our minds off what felt like endless assignments, or standing packed in the stands of a home football game decked out in costume cheering for the team.
Looking back, HHS has prepared us for the endless opportunities our futures hold. Although the academics were rigorous, we learned how to adapt and balance the many assignments and responsibilities we held. More than just classroom learning, the supportive staff, administrators, and student body at HHS gave us the confidence we needed to face unfamiliar challenges with resilience. As we head out into the world, I am looking forward to seeing what this class will do – and no matter what path we follow, I know the lessons taught at HHS will always help us foster growth in every aspect of our lives.
Caitlin Patten – vice president – The countdown in the cafeteria marking each passing day of senior year has surely left me with bittersweet feelings about graduating. Over the past four years, I have found that the Class of 2026 is an incredibly talented group that shares a genuine love for learning and for one another. While our class is competitive, this competition has a unique upside to it in that it elevates the level at which every student performs, both inside and outside the classroom.
Our class, in short, is remarkable. We won state championships, led drama productions, perfectly executed musical performances, and created new clubs, all while putting forth 100% in the classroom.
While serving as vice president gave me opportunities to lead, I learned the most from this role as I watched my fellow seniors lead their respective clubs, organizations, and sports teams. As I move onto the next stage of my life, I believe Hingham High School has prepared me with the skills to lead effectively, collaborate with others, and consistently work to become a better version of myself both academically and personally.
From cornhole and pickleball tournaments, to launching the first “Harbor Bowl”, to gathering at prom, our class excels at coming together. Enthusiastic, empathetic, driven, and determined, the Class of 2026 truly embodies the characteristics needed to succeed beyond high school. I’m endlessly grateful to have had the opportunity to spend my high school years with this group and look forward to seeing what they will do in the future!
Sean Carroll – treasurer –Throughout the past four years at Hingham High School being the class treasurer, I have learned so much about my peers, along with myself. It has truly been an honor working alongside my classmates and the other class officers. We were able to depend on one another and learn from each other’s mistakes, and that is how we were so successful when attempting to bring the class together as a whole. Nothing was more fulfilling than when I was able to experience the shared smiles of my class when attending one of our fundraisers.
One of my favorite memories was our junior prom. It was amazing to see everyone come together and dance beside one another, with nothing but pure enjoyment. Because of that, I am extremely excited about our senior prom because I am confident in the work that we, the class officers, have put forward in order to make it a successful night. Being a class officer has meant so much to me ever since the day I was elected. I have learned how to be a leader, but also how to connect with others around me. I will forever cherish the memories I have created and experienced with my classmates at Hingham High School.
Alec Whitmore – secretary – If there is one word that has been drilled into us since elementary school, it is community. Throughout our years in the Hingham Public Schools, we have learned about the various groups we belong to and how they shape who we are. But what I am most proud of is the unique community we have built together, both within the walls of Hingham High School and out in the world.
My understanding of this responsibility began back in fifth grade. On the first Wednesday of every month for early release, our parents would drive a group of about 12 of us to a different organization. We volunteered at various non-profits all around Boston and the South Shore. I remember being fascinated by the massive operations at the Greater Boston Food Bank and the meticulous care that went into packing every single bag for Backpacks on Wheels. Even then, our parents were pushing us to look beyond our own front porches and actively give back.
Years later at HHS, that same spirit is alive and well. This past year, our class took charge of revamping school spirit, and it was incredible to see everyone rally together. Our class truly made a name for itself – from the athletes who took the field at the first-annual Harbor Bowl to the volunteers who helped us deck the halls in the winter, the grit and passion of this class never dwindles. Whether as musicians, performers, technicians, or engineers, the sheer talent and drive in our grade never ceases to amaze me. You can see our dedication just by looking at our sports rosters: seniors make up 18 of the 28 players on the boys’ hockey team and 13 of the 23 in field hockey. Our class hasn’t just participated in the HHS community, but has helped shape it
Of course, we didn’t get here alone. I would like to thank our teachers, mentors, advisors, counselors, and the entire staff at every school in Hingham for pushing us to be good citizens. They have shown us what it truly means to belong to a community and how to let it positively shape our identities. By exposing us to different perspectives, both across the globe and within our own neighborhoods, they have opened our eyes to the world’s challenges. Because of them, we are leaving Hingham not just as graduates, but as compassionate leaders ready to address and fix those problems tomorrow.
Though we are all about to scatter in different directions, we will always be connected by the community we built right here. Wherever life takes us, I know the Class of 2026 will bring our unique spirit, passion, and kindness into the world. Congratulations to my fellow graduates. Thank you for the memories, and best of luck in everything the future holds.
Congratulations to every member of the graduating class!
The HHS Senior Prom Red Carpet is Thursday, May 28th at 5:00 pm at Hingham Harbor. The Hingham High School Graduation will be held on Saturday, May 30th at 10:00 am at Hingham High School.