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Hampton Academy Grade 8 Final Assembly 2026

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Good evening, everyone. Families, friends, teachers, staff, members of the SAU administration, principals from all of our schools, members of the school board, and the Hampton Academy community, and most importantly, welcome to the class of 2026.
Thank you all for being here tonight as we celebrate this important milestone and recognize the accomplishments of our graduating class.
I would like to thank our family, staff, school board, and district leadership for your continued support of Hampton Academy.
Our students are fortunate to be a part of a community that values education and invests in the success of its children.
Your partnership helps make evenings like this possible.
Class of 2026, tonight marks a milestone of the end of your middle school journey and the beginning of a new chapter.
Over the past three years, you have grown in campus.
countless ways. You've learned new skills, develop new interest, built lasting friendships,
and overcome challenges that have helped shape the young people you are today. As I thought of what
message I wanted to leave you with tonight, I kept going back to the Academy Way. Every day at Hampton
Academy, we ask our students to manage yourself, act responsibly, and respect yourselves
and others. These are more than school expectations.
They are life skills that will help guide you long after you leave these hallways.
Managing yourself means staying focused on your goals, learning from mistakes, and persevering when things get difficult.
Acting responsibly means understanding that your choices matter and taking ownership of your actions.
Respecting yourselves and others means treating people with kindness, empathy, and dignity, even when it isn't always easy.
The values you have developed here will help carry you through high school and beyond.
While you may not remember every lesson, project, or test, I hope you remember these principles and the importance of the choices you make every day.
As you move on to high school, I encourage you to get involved.
Try new things and challenge yourself.
Some of your greatest opportunities will come when you step outside of your comfort zone.
One phrase I often say,
Hampton Academy is it's a great day to make it a great day.
That doesn't make, that doesn't mean every day will be easy.
It means that you have the power to choose your attitude, your effort, and how you respond to challenges.
These choices often make all the difference.
To the families in the room, thank you.
Your support, encouragement, and belief in your children have helped make this moment possible.
To our teachers and staff,
Thank you for all your dedication and commitment to helping our students grow both academically and personally.
Your impact will be felt long after tonight.
And to the class of 2026, be proud of what you've accomplished.
You have grown into thoughtful, capable, and resilient young adults who are ready for what's next to come.
As you leave Hampton Academy, remember where you came from.
Carry the Academy way with you, manage yourself, act responsible,
and respect yourself and others.
And most importantly, remember that no matter where life takes you, once you're a shark, you're always a shark.
Next up, we are pleased to introduce the Hampton Academy Band and Chorus for a final musical selection
under the direction of Mrs. Gillian Gay and Mrs. Kimberly Reno.
To meet to Mrs. Gay and Mrs. Reno. Great job.
Our first award of the night will be the American Legion Post-35 Award presented by Commander Christopher Nevins.
You know, on behalf of Post-35 here in Hampton, we went to a Memorial Day service right here at the junior high.
Many of you of the students were participants, and I want to let you know, and I especially want to let the parents know what an impressive, well done, probably the best we have ever seen, Memorial Day service only because it really captured the meaning of the day.
Sometimes it's kind of hard and difficult to remember that day or even want to talk about it with your children.
You just heard them sing, played, and acted in a wonderful way, and we were all pretty impressed, especially with the staff that put that together.
But we're here for wards, and we're going to do that, and it's going to be quick.
We've got an American Legion School Award medal program.
youth are often awarded for their scholastic achievements, but the American Legion believes that they should also be praised when they demonstrate strong qualities of character and good citizenship.
That's why since 1926, the Legion has recognized such students with its school award program.
The award is given to two students in a graduating class who exemplify.
the qualities that define character, courage, honor, leadership, patriotism,
scholarship, and service.
That's a pretty hard match to make, but we've got two who did.
We've got a winner, but we also have a runner-up.
And you know, the runner-up is probably, I would hate to have to make the decision who wins
and who doesn't, that top award, but both are deserving of these awards.
And our runner-up for the American Legion School Award is Colin Milberg.
And finally, also the winner, the winner of the School Award Medal Program from Post-35 is Joshua Wiley.
Thank you.
Our next award is the Knights of Columbus, One Who Cares Award, presented by Mr. Michael McMahon.
Good evening. This is an award that I'm really pleased to bestow.
This is an award that goes to, as the name suggests, the one among you who cares most for their peers,
for their families, for the people in their community and in their school.
It's not necessarily your finest scholar or your fastest athlete.
It's not necessarily your best or most artistic musician, although we have several of those here tonight we just heard.
This is the student when we ask the teachers to describe their best student, the best person, the kindest, the most thoughtful, the one who most cares about those among them, oftentimes before they even care for themselves.
So this evening, I'm pleased to give this award to Will Davis.
The next award is the Barbara Renaud Conservation Commission Science Award, presented by Brianna Hagan.
Good evening.
I'm here tonight to present this.
award on behalf of the Hampton Conservation Commission.
Barbara Renault is remembered for her years of dedication to the Hampton Conservation Commission
and her unwavering commitment to protect Hampton's natural areas.
She had a deep appreciation for Hampton's forests, marshes, coastlines, streams, and rivers.
Her curiosity about nature inspired a lifelong desire to learn more about the world around her.
She understood the value of our wetlands and forests and volunteered many hours of her time to protect
our important resources for generations to come.
The Barbara Renault Conservation Award is presented annually to a student who embodies those same qualities,
a student who is committing to learning about, loving, and protecting our natural world.
On behalf of the Hampton Conservation Commission, it is my pleasure to present this award this evening.
In addition to this recognition, the recipient will receive a hand-turn pen crafted by a Hampton woodworker,
along with several other special items.
Congratulations to Alexa McSweeney.
We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and the enthusiasm and dedication you have shown toward the outdoors and the environment.
We wish you a wonderful summer and continued success as you pursue your education.
Congratulations.
Our next award was the New Hampshire Daughters of the American Revolution Ranger Chapter, presented by
Diane Ross. Good evening. Faculty, graduates, family, and friends. How are you tonight?
The daughters of the American Revolution have three primary goals to preserve history,
provide education, and to promote patriotism. Thank you guys for a wonderful rendition of OSACNUC.
Ranger Chapter meets these goals in one way by recognizing outstanding work in American history,
by graduates of all area middle schools. Your teachers have chosen the recipient,
based upon scholastic interest in preserving our heritage.
Today we are proud to present this award from Rager Chapter for meeting and surpassing the requirements for DAR.
The student will be receiving a certificate and a medal and please join me in congratulating the student as he comes up to receive his award.
Congratulations, Jason Hederson.
Next is the Krista Mikalov Award presented by Mrs. Maggie Santoro.
On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff.
On board was Concord New Hampshire Social Studies teacher named Krista McCullough.
She had been chosen from thousands of applicants to be the first participant in NASA's Teacher in Space Program.
For this tragedy, the staff of Hampton Academy pays tribute to a fellow teacher who combined her love of both teaching social studies and science, while inspiring her students
to always look to the future, but to remember to be guided by the past.
The Krista McCullough Award is given annually to a student that has demonstrated excellence in both science and social studies.
The student consistently demonstrated exemplary work ethic, continually brought enthusiastic spirit,
and intellectual curiosity to both science and social studies classes.
This year's recipient is Sidney Saw.
Next up is the Roger Lovett Memorial Award,
presented by Ms. Jennifer O. McClellan.
Congratulations, eighth grade.
I'm here tonight to present the Roger Lovett Memorial Award.
This award is named in memory of Roger Lovett, a longtime custodian at Hampton Academy,
who is beloved by staff and students alike for his kindness and dedication to the school community.
The Roger Lovett Memorial Award is given annually to students who have shown a caring attitude towards their fellow classmates in school.
school. These students have contributed positively to the lives of others
without seeking any reward other than the knowledge that they've made a difference.
This award is sponsored by the Hampton Parent Teacher Association,
and it gives me great pleasure to present it on behalf of the PTA.
Please join me in congratulating this year's recipient, Rowan Condon.
Next up is the Ruth Barnes Excellence Award, Excellence Award,
Excellence in Science Award, presented by Mr. Caleb Shaw.
The Ruth Barnes Excellence in Science Award is given to a student in the eighth grade class
who has demonstrated a love for science and a passion for pursuing challenges.
Mrs. Barnes was a beloved Hampton Academy science teacher who inspired curiosity and perseverance.
The recipient of this year's award demonstrated these values to a high degree.
This student has an exceptional depth of knowledge that they consistently applied
applied to produce creative and high quality work.
They have shown outstanding curiosity about the world and dedication to the sciences during their time here at Hampton Academy.
We are proud to present this year's award to Jay Jang.
Next up is the Lori Cotter Excellence Award in Language Arts.
Presented by Judith Clark.
Good evening.
It was created in Missa Cotter's name to recognize her commitment to Hampton Academy for 32 years.
She also coached field hockey.
field hockey, introduced the eighth grade oratorical contest, and was an environmental camp leader.
The students chosen for this award by the eighth grade staff embody the unflagging spirit and a willingness
to keep striving towards excellence.
Their joy and can-do spirit provide an outstanding example for their peers.
This student has shown skills in reading, writing, and speaking, as contributed positively to the classroom environment and the school as a whole.
This year's recipient of the Laurie Carter Award for the school.
The Ball Recoder Award for Excellence in Language Arts is Ava Mockelken.
Next up, we have the Gopolin Art Award presented by Mrs. Donna Boardman.
Oh, sorry.
You know what to do.
Hello, eighth grade!
Hello!
Oh, I love you guys!
All right, so it is my pleasure to present the Art Gopalin Art Award
to deserving student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and especially a passion for the visual arts.
arts. This award is in recognition of a former school board member, Art Gopalind,
and the significant contributions to promoting the visual arts in our community.
This award is given to Grade 8 student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the visual arts
and an outstanding eye and creativity.
When people were thinking potato chips for their great big projects, this person did a Venus flytrap.
flytrap Adara Hanlon.
Next up is the Kathleen Collins Excellent in Mathematics Awards presented by Mrs. Andrea Dutton.
This award is presented to eighth grade students in honor of our retired mathematics teacher,
Ms. Kathleen Collins.
It is difficult to sum up her long career and much can be said about her dedication to teaching mathematics to middle school students.
Above all, Mrs. Collins took an immense amount of pleasure from her student success,
her passion for teaching, and drive to help students succeed in.
helped students succeed in math made her one of Hampton Academy's most respected teachers.
The students chosen for this award have demonstrated a high-level achievement in mathematics
throughout the time here at Hampton Academy. This year's recipient is Belichucho.
Next up, we have John Peterson Memorial Award presented by Mrs. Ellen Morrissey.
Good evening. This award is given in memory of Mr. John Peterson, a longtime teacher and coach at Hampton Academy.
The nominees for this award are selected by teaching and coaching staff members for their citizenship qualities on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
When we talked about with the teachers and the coaches, this student's name came back multiple times.
So this year's award recipient is Bella Coucho.
Next up, we have the Performing Arts Awards presented by Mrs. Clark, Miss Gay, and Mrs. Reno.
Hampton Academy of Performing Arts Award is given to students who have shown a dedication to excellence in at least one of our performing groups.
Students were chosen from band, chorus, and the Academy Players, actors, and crew members.
These students personify the perseverance it takes to improve upon their performance skills,
and the strength of character it takes to appear on the stage or work behind the scenes with pride and confidence.
It is our great honor to present the Hampton Academy Performing and Arts Awards, too, for the Hampton Academy Players, Sebastian Finnegan,
And from band, Miles Sforza.
And finally for chorus, Rowan Condon.
Next up, we have the Outstanding Citizenship Award, presented by School Resource Officer Detective Teranzoni from the Hampton Academy Police Department.
He wouldn't come up here last year.
So it's big progress.
All right.
The Outstanding Citizenship Award is presented each year to an eighth grade student who has stood out from among their classmates as being an
as being an exceptional representative of Hampton Academy.
They have distinguished themselves by their helpfulness, support, and positive concern for their fellow students, and for the school in general.
I am delighted to present this award to Logan Griggs.
Next up, we have the Positive Attitude Award presented by Hampton School Board Chair, Mrs. Andrew Shepard.
I'd like to say on behalf of myself and Mrs. Rieger and Mrs. St. Jean, Mrs. Eliot, and Mrs.
And Mrs. O'Neill, that we are all so proud of you and just wish you nothing but the best in the future.
I just know you're going to do great things.
I just know it.
Anyway, if there's one characteristic which we would have all students exhibit when they leave Hampton Academy,
it is for them to possess a positive attitude about themselves, their classmates, and their community.
Such a characteristic not only affects an individual's outlook, behavior, and performance,
and performance in and outside of the school setting, it also positively affects all others around them.
This evening we want to recognize the student who teachers feel has displayed a completely positive attitude,
both inside and outside of school.
It is a great pleasure to present this award to the student who most exhibited this enthusiasm
for self, others, and school, and this year's recipient is Cameron Frankor.
Next up, we have the Presidential Award.
Presidential Award for Academic Excellence presented by Mrs. Amber Labine.
So the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence recognizes
students who have achieved outstanding academic success in the classroom.
Eligibility requires students to earn a minimum grade of threes in all subject areas
throughout their three middle school years.
It is our pleasure to present this award to Bella Coucho,
Sebastian Finnegan, Emily LeBlank,
Ava McQualkin, and Alexa McSweeney.
Congratulations.
Congratulations, Sebastian.
That's a lot to hang out there.
Please stop, Emily. Congratulations.
We need to go, Eva. Please stop.
Next up, we have Blue and Gold Awards presented by Mrs. Angela Bowen and Mrs.
Amanda Tom Borrelli.
Good evening.
We are delighted to present these awards.
Awards. Each year, this award is presented to Hampton Academy students
who have a strong work ethic, a willingness to participate in new areas of learning,
and a positive attitude toward classmates and teachers.
These traits represent some of the reasons that the faculty have named
these students as this year's recipients of the Blue and Gold Award.
The following students, come on up, Charlotte Cromer,
Liam Hanley,
Emily.
LeBlanc and Lucy Rufus. Congratulations.
Now closing comments, a message from Dr. Costa will be read by Ms. Levine.
Unfortunately, Dr. Costa had a family emergency and couldn't make it here tonight,
so she asked me to read something to our eighth graders.
Good evening eighth grade students, family, staff, and school board members.
It is an absolute honor to be here tonight as we celebrate your incredible journey through the Hampton schools.
We say we're proud of your hard work.
proud of your hard work, your growth, your dedication, your excellence would be a massive understatement.
You didn't just get through these years. You showed us what true resiliency looks like.
Time and time again, you face adversity head on, proved your grit, and kept moving forward.
While I know you're all looking toward the horizon with eager anticipation,
ready to take on Winnicon High School, and other exciting academic adventures,
we wouldn't want to rush past this moment. Let's take a second to look back at exactly
what it took to get you here. Reflections is where the learning really happens. It feeds
to a growth mindset, helping us learn from our missteps, and turn them into milestones.
As you close this chapter in the Hampton School District, ask yourself,
what were your biggest lessons that helped you grow to become a better student, a better friend, a better person?
I also want to challenge you to think about the people who carried you on their shoulders to get you to this stage.
Take the time to say a genuine thank you.
Practicing gratitude doesn't just make others feel good.
It actually shifts your own perspective,
highlights the good in our lives, and keeps us grounded.
That gratitude starts right now, with the people sitting to your left and to your right,
your parents, your families, they were your first teachers.
They continue to make incredible sacrifices every single day to ensure your happiness and success.
So eighth graders, please join me in giving a massive thank you.
to your families. In a world that's always moving a million miles an hour, never
forget that a beautiful life is built on small moments. It is how we collect, cherish, and remember
those daily moments that shape us who we become. You have immense power to impact your own life,
the lives of others, and those that surround you. Respect, kindness, and love. These are the
absolute cornerstones of an incredible person and a thriving community. Be the example. Always
use the high road. I promise you the view from up there is spectacular.
You already have the blueprint for this. You've been learning every step of the way.
At center school, we talked about the golden rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
At Marston, we focused on being safe, respectful, responsible, and cooperative. And here at
Hampton Academy, you mastered the Academy way. Manage yourself, act responsibly, and respect
yourselves and others. Carry those lessons with you. Remember where you came.
from because wherever you go next, you're representing all of us. Do it with absolute confidence
and do it with Hampton Pride. Please come back and visit us. You're going to be deeply missed in these
hallways. Know that we will be watching your journey closely, cheering you on every step of the way,
and celebrating your future victories. Personally, I'm really ready, really already looking forward
to seeing you at the finish line when I have the distinct honor of attending your high school
graduation at Winniconet. Before we wrap up, I want to wrap up, I want to see you.
want to send a huge thank you to Dr. Campbell, Mrs. Levine, and the phenomenal Hampton Academy staff,
including our facilities team who work behind the scenes to make this beautiful evening possible.
A special thank you to our school board and our chair, Mrs. Shepard, for their unwaiving support for our school
and our students. So the class of 2030, you will, sending you my absolute best wishes.
Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone and have a wonderful evening.
I would like to invite Mrs. Clark and Mr. Clark and Mr.
Parker Cavallero up for the certificates of promotion.
Good evening. Ferris Abolola. Tucker Abrams.
Laney Osier. Maddie Osier.
Henry Bacon. Sidney Blake. Tucker Blosser.
Allison Bosco.
William Bowley.
Paige Branigan.
Fresnahan.
Suspettis Laura.
Laura.
In Condon.
Isabella Connolly.
Olivia Corbe.
Cody.
Cromer.
Isabella Cuchot.
Lillianna Davis.
Will Davis.
Pietro de Oliveira.
Brindle Dion.
Dioen.
Kayla Duval.
William L. Reyes.
Uribelle Ispino Garcia.
Sebastian Finnegan.
Mave Fleming.
Fleming. Cameron Frankor.
Logan Griggs.
Hanley.
Adera Hanlon.
Ronan Hanlon.
Ross Hayward Hanglin.
Vera Hayward Hanglin.
Jason Hederson.
Higgins.
Steven Hobbs.
Natalie Holbrook.
Tyler Homix.
McKenna Ingram.
Evan Jarmalovich.
Nashley Javier de la Cruz.
De La Cruz.
Jay Jang.
Caleb Jones.
Ryan June.
Grayson Kelly.
Jala King.
Aiden Knopf.
Jacob Kuzlowski.
Blanc.
Lillie.
Leigh.
Leigh.
McManas.
McAley.
McWilkin.
Alexa McWan.
Alexa McSweeney.
Colin Milberg.
Bailey Mitchell.
Stephanie Moisakis.
Mason Mullen.
Natalie Newman.
Parker Oldham.
Alejandro Peralta Chong.
Gabriel Pachopin.
Joshua Powers.
Evan Preventure.
Tos Rowe.
T.J. Row.
Rooley.
Rufus.
Savage.
Foresa.
Maddie.
Piro.
Sidney Suh.
Suh.
Charles Tomeo.
Pamela Valhuli.
Colton Faradie.
Delilah Faradie.
Delilah Faradie.
Zoe Weber.
Grayson Westergren.
Nah War.
Ashlyn Whitney.
And Landon Wilson.
Ladies and gentlemen, you are Hampton Academy 8th grade class of 2026.