CLAREMONT — At the start of the Stevens graduation Thursday evening, Principal Michael Herrington reminded everyone that less than 10 months ago the district was plunged into a financial crisis that threatened the opening of school.

Herrington called the support from the community and the Stevens Alumni Association that spearheaded the effort to raise money for sports, the arts and other activities as “breathtaking” with hundreds of thousands raised to give the class of 88 graduates “what they deserve.”

“We all know the difficulties we faced this year. Less than a year ago we sat in this very room and talked about not making it through September or October and here we are at graduation,” Herrington said as the graduates and their family and friends broke into applause in the Carr Gymnasium.

After senior Emerson Thibeault sang the National Anthem, math and science teacher John Usher introduced Salutatorian Elizabeth Benware.

Usher said Benware is defined by more than by her grades and transcript. He described her as someone who leads with “intellect and heart,” whether volunteering, playing field hockey or helping others with their studies and is able to lift up others.

Benware, who will be heading to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall, gave a thank you from the class to parents, guardians and families.

“Every success we celebrate today is a reflection of the love, support and guidance you have given us throughout our lives,” Benware said. “To our teachers, coaches and staff, thank you for investing your time, energy and hearts into our education. You have done far more than teach lessons. You have challenged us to think critically, encouraged us to grow as individuals and inspired us to strive for excellence.”

Stevens High School graduates Madeline Jarvis, left, Josie Hirst and Nicole Bouchard practice moving the tassels on their mortarboards before the start of the commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Claremont, N.H.
JENNIFER HAUCK Valley News

As they take different paths, Benware asked that they remember that success is more about “the impact we have on others, the kindness we show and the courage we demonstrate in the face of uncertainty.

“Let us leave her with gratitude for the past, confidence in ourselves and excitement for the future.”

Stevens Music Director Taylor Trudeau introduced Valedictorian Lilyanna Eagan, who will attend Northeastern University.

Trudeau said Eagan was always will to help whenever called upon, regardless of the task.

“Whether is it is the leadership roles everyone sees or the individual favors no one knows about, Lily somehow does it all.”

Jayce Aldrich walks with his classmates before the start of the Stevens High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Claremont, N.H. JENNIFER HAUCK Valley News

Trudeau called Eagan a natural born leader who demonstrates kindness and compassion, never loses her poise or professionalism whatever the drama and chaos and always had a big smile.

Eagan recounted moments of fun and laughter with some of her classmates and teachers. Comments in her yearbook, she came to realize, were about small moments she could not recall but meant a lot to those around her and “made Stevens so full of life every day for all of us.”

Eagan also mentioned the district’s deficit at the beginning of the year, but said everyone stepped up and did the little things that made a big difference with students supporting each other at games and other activities.

“Many teachers stepped up this year to teach courses unfamiliar to them to ensure we all could have as close to a normal year as possible,” Eagan said.

“This class has accomplished so much this year, and it all stemmed from us just showing up for each other,” Eagan said.

After an emotional thank you to her family, Eagan urged the class to “go out into the world and be the reason someone smiles, just as so many of you have done for me, because you never know how big of an impact just showing up and being yourself can have on someone else.”

Stevens High School graduate Fallon Carr fans herself during the school’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Claremont, N.H. JENNIFER HAUCK Valley News

Addison Derosier was given the Edgar L. Lord Faculty Award which has been handed out every year since 1960 and goes to the student who best represents the school’s ideals and values.

The seniors in the band performed Billy Joel’s Vienna with Miles Sheehan singing. After diplomas were awarded, class advisors Becca Menard and Abby Rouilard offered some final advice for life’s challenges and rewards that lie ahead.

“As you spread those powerful Cardinal wings, remember your grit is the powerful downstroke that lifts you against the wind. Your perseverance is the navigation that keeps you on your course and your resilience is the strength to always find a safe landing no matter how turbulent the flight,” Rouillard said.

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.

Stevens High School class of 2026: Trevor Alan Adams, University of Hartford; Ciaran Francis Adrian, University of Southern Maine; Anna Elizabeth Aiken, River Valley Community College; Logan Scott Aiken, employment; Jayce Anthony Aldrich, employment; Albany Jade Amell, employment; Brialyn Renee Aube, employment; Brianna Chanissa Ayotte, River Valley Community College; Michelle Judyann Ayotte, employment; Braedyn James Baker, employment; Alexander Scott Barney, employment; Noel Madeline Beauchaine, Suffolk University; Oliver Charles Beeman, Keene State College; Elizabeth Rose Benware, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Nicole Marie Bouchard, UMass Amherst; Gianna Sophia Bovell, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Jennifer Lea Brunell, employment; Jordan Adam Call, employment; Rhett Ulric Moran Canete II, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Malachi Nathaniel Holcroft Caple, River Valley Community College; Fallon Siobhan Carr, Southern New Hampshire University; Kaidence Mychaela Casey, West Virginia University; Lillianna Marie Clark, Arcadia University; Hazen Bonuhm Clay, employment; Caroline Marie Collazo-Vega, employment; David Peter Collins, employment; Hannah Lee Davis, employment; Addison Elizabeth Derosier, Fordham University; Lilyanna Rose Eagan, Northeastern University; Eric William Emanouil, employment; Ayan Farhan, Assumption University; Noah Alexander Ferland, employment; Sophie Naomi Flores-Rivas, employment; Makaila Mary Gallow, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences; Elliana Elizabeth Girard, employment; Cole Joseph Gobin, returning to school; Emily Rose Gonyea, employment; Andrew Dennis Grady, employment; Dante Antonio Greco, employment; Riley Frederick Greene, returning to school; Scott Richard Hagar, Norwich University — Corps of Cadets; Alexander Caden Harper, employment; Kieran David Heath, Worcester State University; Josie Nicole Hirst, employment; Michael Robert Horsky, employment; Matthew David Howard Jr., employment; Joshua Matthew Howe, employment; Madeline Kae Jarvis, employment; Kayleigh Marie Kolenda, Clarkson University; Addyson Ann Mae Lane, University of New Hampshire; Alex Lee Laroche, employment; Riley Mae Leonard, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Brady Scott Little, employment; Matthew Coyle Luke, employment; Matthew Nicholas Maclver, River Valley Community College; Colton James Martin, employment; Joannie Deloviar McCusker, Fitchburg State University; Logan Alan Minckler, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Ella Kathryn Muenzer, University of New Hampshire; Ethan Dennis Murphy, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Angelina Michelle Neal, River Valley Community College; Mariah Hope O’Connell, Plymouth State University; Addison Rose Odette, employment; Jilli Rena Ouellette, University of New Hampshire; Soham Rakeshkumar Patel, University of New Hampshire; Audrina Grace Pelton, Fisher College; Kaylee Ann Pike, Colby-Sawyer College; Kylee LaRee Plummer, Colby-Sawyer College; Robyn Ambria Nicole Pomlee, employment; Maddox Scott Pope-Lee, employment; Alexander Daravichai Prach, University of New Hampshire; Addison Jane Richard, Gold West College; Trenton William Ring, employment; Jocelyn Marie Sewall, employment; Miles Aaron Sheehan, Keene State College; Chloe Siobhan Smith, River Valley Community College; Edison Ernest Sohngen, Bryant University; Hank Tobey Sprague, employment; Bailee Louise St. Sauveur, Regis College; James Curtis Stevens, employment; Cooper Aiden Sylvester, employment; Emerson Lyn Thibeault, employment; Brian Torres, employment; Jharin Isaiah Valcourt-Garrow, employment; Alivia Anne Walker, employment; Ethan Jerome Weed, employment; Prestyn Neil West, employment; and Zane Lee Wilson, employment.