By Beth David, Editor
Under sunny skies and winds to blow the mortarboards away, Fairhaven High School held its graduation on Sunday, 5/31/26, in the Alumni Stadium. The program included remarks by students and staff, presentation of the class gifts, music by the band, and playing of the class song, “Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac.
Salutatorian, Emma Cabral, told her fellow students they were talented and hardworking, and spent many hours working hard, but also manage to play games.
“Every person here contributed something valuable to our school community. And together we created memories that will stay with us forever,” said Ms. Cabral, and proceeded to list some of the achievements they made.
She said the achievements reflect their hard work and dedication; and she thanked teachers and parents who guided and supported them.
She also took a minute for the graduates to recognize themselves for their hard work and dedication, noting that they spend time recognizing others.
Valedictorian, Harrison Zheng, told his fellow graduates that he did not write his speech alone (but he didn’t use AI, either). He thanked family, friends, classmates and strangers for helping him through their shared experiences.
Graduation always seemed so far away, he said, but here they are, “an end to a beginning and the beginning of the rest of our lives.”
He said they spent years thinking about what they would be doing next.
“Somewhere along the way, we became the people we once looked up to,” said Mr. Zheng.
Seniority is not just age, he said, it is the experiences the had, running events, and becoming the role models.
Thinking about the roles of seniors made him think: “Where would we be without each other?”
He said he would not be there without his parents and sister, he learned that failing is learning, and he found confidence because of his friends.
“And I realized, without each other that we aren’t going to have a legacy. And the legacy isn’t your accomplishments, but your shared experiences,” said Mr. Zheng. “
People will not remember details, and experiences will be stories they tell. But maybe that is the point, he said. What lasts is the people and feelings attached to an accomplishment.
“So don’t fear changing or growing old. Live in the moment,” said Mr. Zheng. “Embrace the people that you have yet to meet. And never stop creating experiences worth remembering because that’s the journey that has brought us here.”
Superintendent Tara Kohler, whose son is in the graduating class, noted that she had watched this class grow up, she knew some of them very well.
She watched as the two middle schools and the Catholic Schools converged at Fairhaven High School as freshment. And were figuring out their way. And they came together.
She said the unity she has seen walking around the school is a beautiful thing. It is something that cannot be replicated.
“It’s truly magical when it happens,” said Ms. Kohler.
In a world of uncertainty, she said, she sees a group full of hope and promise.
She said they learned to pick themselves up and to help each other, too.
Ms. Kohler said she hoped that what they learned will help guide them through the good, the bad, and everything in between.
She talked about three things: integrity, Perseverance, and ambition.
“Having integrity will always serve you well,” she said, although it is not always easy.
Perseverence: they all got themselves this moment.
“This is a historic school that you’re a part of,” said Ms. Kohler, noting it is the 250th year of our country and this is where it all started. “You need to remember you’re from a historic place.”
Ambition: It’s easy to do just what you need to. She said he should think about what they want their new beginning to look like.
“Keep integrity as your focus. Continue to have your perseverance, but also challenge yourself to the thing beyond what you’re thinking,” she said, adding that as they look at the place the will go next it is also scary.
She said there will be times when they wonder if they really belong in those challenging places. She said they will figure it out because the have the tools.
She told the story of a former student who is in a challenging pre-med program with 16 students. The instructor told the that they were all number on in their classes. One will be number 16 in this one, he told them, but you will all be called “Doctor.”
She said it is the same lesson for each of them. No matter how the got there, they are all graduates now.
She also had a little fund noting that they had eight days they did not have to make up because they are seniors. She read her little message about no school, tell them tomorrow or any day at FHS.
“You are super capable,” Ms. Kohler told them. “Go out there and do us proud.”
Principal Andrew Kulak told them to slow down and “soak in the moment,” with all the people around.
“We are all here to celebrate your incredible journey,” said Mr. Kulak.
He said their time in high school was not just about passing exams. It was a front row to history, he said, and noted some things, including NASA, AI, and other technological wonders.
“The power of the human spirit can be amazing,” said Mr. Kulak. “You’ve also been reminded of the pain, suffering that the dark side of humanity can inflict upon itself.”
“The world in front of you needs your guidance,” said Mr. Kulak. “In addition to witnessing history, you made some history.”
He said they had to find their footing in an era of “rapid technological and cultural transformations.”
The had to decide how to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) as tool or even if they should. He listed some of their accomplishments as a class.
He said their time at FHS was more than education, it was a “masterclass in perseverance, integrity, and ambition.”
“You should be immensely proud of the history you have written here.” he said.
Now they are in charge of their own lives, he said, with their safety net changing. No one is going to rescue them.
“That may sound terrifying, but it’s actually the most liberating freedom you will ever experience,” said Mr. Kulak.
There will no longer be automatic reminders to turn in homework, no more hall passes.
“Be a person of character, one who seeks what is true,” said Mr. Kulak, adding that independence does not mean isolation.
“As you continue to develop your own independence, keep empathy and kindness in your mind and in your heart. Some day you may need to be the person who steps up to help somebody else,” he said.
The world is not always nice, he said, and needs people with a good moral compass, which they have. Believe in science and avoid fake news, he said.
“Go out into the world and make your presence known. Own your time, own your decisions, and own your mistakes. Because owning mistakes is another opportunity to learn and grow as a person,” he said, adding that everyone in the stadium is proud of them.
“And we can’t wait to see the world that you build,” he said.
The program also included the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. The ceremony is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtyrPoqWl80
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- Cousins and friends hold up their diplomas for friends, family, and the local free sheet to take pictures after the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- Ben Cormier, hangs onto his mortarboard after receiving his diploma and hearing “My baby” shouted from the stands during the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Logan Ellis and Perter Farland take a moment to smile for the local free sheet during the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- Students are all smiles after receiving their diplomas at the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- Anakin Medeiros pulls back his gown to reveal his Star Wars identity after receiving his diploma during the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- Rozelyn Smith gives a double thumbs up after receiving her diploma during the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Aubrey Sweeney and Brenna Dugan pose for the cameras after the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- Claudia Pacheco sports a big smile as she holds up her diploma during the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- Evan Lamontagne acknowledges some vocal supporters in the stands after her receives his diploma during the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Mikayla Yousif, Mackenzie Concepcion Pinho and Tayvin Souza pose for the local free sheet after the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Matthew C. Chang ND Ryan A. Vieira are all smiles as they pose for photos with their diplomas after the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Valedictorian Harrison Zhen poses for the local free sheet with this family, Harry (dad), Vicki (mom), Sabrina (sister) after the Fairhaven High School Graduation ceremony on 5/31/26 held outside in alumni stadium under sunny and windy skies. Photo by Beth David.
Fairhaven High School Class of 2026
Brihanna M. Aguiar, Honors
Ian W. Alexion
Kennedy L. Allain, Highest Honors
Kiana S. Almeida, High Honors
Jacob Cv. Bailey
Michael J. Baailey
Briyana R. Baptista, Highest Honors
Nathan F. R. Barbosa, High Honors
Giovanni E. Barton
Eva L. Beltran, Honors
Laura C. Berman, Honors
Carlee J. Bissonnette, Highest Honors
Kirby S. Borba, High Honors
Landon E. H. Borges
Braley L. Boucher, Highest Honors
Maeve E. Bradshaw, Highest Honors
Ethan V. Bramwell
Camden M. Bussiere
Emma M. Cabral, Highest Honors, Salutatorian
Madison E. Cabucio, Highest Honors
Bailey J. Cadorette
Thomas M. Carrico
Owen S. Carvalho
Valerie L. Carvalho
Luke Cathcart, Honors
Matthew C. Chang, Highest Honors
Jesse Chen, Honors
Nicholas A. Chibante
Julian A. Ciuro Santiago
Mackenzie L. Concepcion Pinho, Highest Honors
Aubrey N. Cope
Benjamin G. Cormier
Ian J. Costa
Macy M. Costa, Highest Honors
Sean T. Dakin,
Highest Honors
Grant M. Darmofal
Sofia E. DaSilva,
High Honors
Tristan J. P. deMedeiros,
High Honors
Elianna G. DeOliveira, High Honors
Gage R. Desnoyers, High Honors
Grace R. Desnoyers, Honors
Jacob A. DeSousa
Draven D. O. Doyle
Brenna L. Dugan, Highest Honors
Victoria L. Dumas, Highest Honors
Nathan P. Dumoulin
Logan A. Ellis
Peter J. Farland III
Ava C. Ferrero, High Honors
Peyton M. Fitzgerald, Honors
Emma M. Flannery, Highest Honors
Brice P. Foster
Alexis M. G. Furtado
Kaia L. Furtado, Honors
Madeline K. Gamelin, Highest Honors
Troy J. Gautreau
Melody J. Gonsalves, Highest Honors
Olivia G. Gonsalves
Ruby A. Harris, Highest Honors
Gavin P. Herman, High Honors
Hazel C. Hochella, Highest Honors
Alexander R. Hu, Highest Honors
Tyler J. Hutchings, Highest Honors
Brianna J. Jacques, Honors
Dean O. Joseph, Highest Honors
Kyra A. Joseph, Highest Honors
Connor M. Jupin
Paxton G. Kohler
Aaron Lague, Jr.
Nicholas E. Lajoie, Highest Honors
Evan R. Lamontagne, Highest Honors
Sarah M. Langlois
Raya M. Lucas, Highest Honors
Daniela P. D. Maciel
Joseph R. Martin
Anakin J. Medeiros
Isabella G. Menard, Highest Honors
Mia A. Mendell, Honors
Izariah S. Mercado
Lila J. Merusi, Highest Honors
Matthew J. Moniz, Honors
Elaine F. Monroe, Highest Honors
Truman E. Monroe
Zachary G. Moura, Highest Honors
Connor J. Murach, Honors
Ryder Mydlack
Callie M. Oliveira, High Honors
Gabriella M. Olmeda, Highest Honors
Lyla S. Ozdogru, High Honors
Claudia G. Pacheco, Highest Honors
Sofia M. Palhota, Highest Honors
Divy D. Patel, High Honors
Krish A. Patel, High Honors
Shiv R. Patel, Highest Honors
Jessica L. Patenaude, High Honors
Jamison J. Pimental, High Honors
Ryan J. Pires, Highest Honors
Benjamin J. Porte
Aidan S. Powers, Highest Honors
Meaghan R. Powers, High Honors
Briana Raudales
Calista A. Read, Highest Honors
Giselle A. Resende
Felicity L. Resendes
Isabella E. Reynolds, High Honors
Addison R. Ribeiro, Honors
Alyjah N. Riggins
Cameron W. Rittenhouse
Destinee M. Roderick
Luke D. Roderigues
Jean A. Rodriguez Gonzalez
David E. Rodriguez, Jr.
Kyle N. Sanders
Maya I. Schaefer, Highest Honors
Christian A. Silva
Rozelyn J. B. Silva
Aidan R. Smith
Lauren M. Souza, Highest Honors
Tayvin J. Souza
Aubrey L. Sweeney, Honors
Crystal H. Tavares
Caden M. Teves
Sawyer W. Tonnessen, Honors
Leah M. R. Torres, High Honors
Jacqueline V. Tynan, High Honors
Jaxon J. Vargas, Honors
Zoey L. Ventura
Joshua J. Vieira, Highest Honors
Ryan A. Vieira, High Honors
Tegan J. Vieira
Damien A. Wahnon
Adamanthea L. J. Whynot, High Honors
Mikayla A. Yousif, Highest Honors
Harrison Zheng, Highest Honors, Valedictorian
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