The Stevens High School yearbook has been awarded the National Yearbook Program of Excellence for 2026 at the Silver Level.
The award was announced by Jostens, a national company that has produced yearbooks nationwide for more than 60 years.
“The award was presented to the Stevens High School yearbook program for achieving defined criteria in between one and three of the following categories: creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement, and successfully managing the yearbook creation process,” Jostens wrote in a news release.
Stevens technology teacher Hillary Walsh has led the yearbook program for eight years. Walsh said this year the program was run as a class and that increased participation from about six students to 18.
“All our hard work paid off,” Walsh said. “I’m so proud of every student. They put in countless hours to make this year’s yearbook extra special given the circumstances we started our year with.”
Walsh said the district’s challenging year with a financial crisis and budget cuts “makes this achievement feel even sweeter.”
“I could not be prouder of this hard-working crew for stepping up, overcoming obstacles and finishing the year on such a high note.”
Walsh also said they are producing a supplement to be sure all events after March 1 are included.
Secondary accomplishments
Hanover High School graduate Benjamin William Hourdequin earned a college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship from Claremont McKenna College.
Mascoma students earn computer awards
The National Center for Women & Information Technology has honored four Mascoma Valley Regional High School students “for their achievements and passion in the field of computing,” according to a news release from the Mascoma Valley Regional School District.
“The recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education,” according to the release.
Samantha Harkins was named a NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) New Hampshire Affiliate Honorable Mention awardee for 2026. Ella Batten, Allyson Downing and Owen Brock were named New Hampshire Affiliate Rising Stars for 2026.
“This is tremendous recognition, because it is about more than achieving top grades,” Mascoma superintendent Amanda Isabelle said in the release. “It’s about their curiosity, their passion, and the time and effort they have spent to expand their skills.”
N.H. governor honors Windsor High educator
N.H. Gov. Kelly Ayotte honored Kim Gogan, flexible pathways coordinator at Windsor High School, for her work as an “early college advocate” this May.
Gogan helps Windsor students connect to early college programs at River Valley Community College, which allow them to earn college credits as high school students, according to a news release. Gogan was one of seven Early College Advocates honored by the governor.
“Early College enables motivated students to pursue academically challenging courses and lessen the barrier of cost and the burden of debt that might otherwise inhibit them from pursuing postsecondary education that is critical to their futures and to New Hampshire’s,” Community College System of New Hampshire chancellor Mark Rubinstein said in the release. “This is only possible through a partnership with these talented educators and with the strong support CCSNH receives from the State of New Hampshire.”
Post-secondary graduations
Kaleb Maccioli, of Claremont, earned a bachelor’s degree from American International College in Springfield, Mass., this spring.
Jesse McDonnell, of Grantham, earned a degree in finance, summa cum laude, from Saint Anselm College College this spring.
The following Upper Valley residents earned degrees from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., this spring: Joshua Bucci, Norwich, mathematics; John Hill, Hanover, economics; and Kevin Pillsbury, Hanover, computer science, magna cum laude.
The following Upper Valley residents earned bachelor’s degrees from Emmanuel College in Boston this spring: Reilly Slusser, White River Junction, political science; and Maddy Rooney, Chelsea, biology — health sciences, cum laude.
Post-secondary accomplishments
The following Upper Valley residents made the dean’s and president’s lists at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn., for the spring 2026 semester: Elizabeth Chambers, Etna; Stephen Emery, Newport; Joey Gaudette, West Windsor; and Cora Winslow, White River Junction.
Danny Mello, of Hartland, and Tarin Prior, of White River Junction, made the dean’s list at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn., for the spring 2026 semester.
The following Upper Valley residents made the dean’s list at the University of New England in Portland and Biddeford, Maine, for the spring 2026 semester: Mary Veracka, East Thetford; Nathan Chickering, Grantham; Olivia Chase, Hartland; Jenna Jasmin, Hartland; Keith Lauren Martinez, Lebanon; Zoey Houde-Crane, Meriden; Anna Illsley, Meriden; Aria Yuengling, Perkinsville; Laura Hines, Plainfield; Abigail Becker, Randolph Center; Anna Stratton, South Royalton; and Brenden Flanagan, Windsor.
Lea Castell, of Lebanon, made the president’s list at The College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., for the spring 2026 semester.
Abigail Posner, of Haverhill, Will Baughman, of Hanover, and William Lyons, of Hanover, made the dean’s list at The College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., for the spring 2026 semester.
Kaleb Maccioli, of Claremont, made the dean’s list at American International College in Springfield, Mass., for the spring 2026 semester.
Jessica Perez, of South Royalton, made the dean’s list at University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, Md., for the spring 2026 semester.
Ryan Madden, of Hartford, made the dean’s honor roll at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan., for the spring 2026 semester.
Olivia Parsons, of Grantham, who is studying nursing at Saint Anselm College, was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society this spring.
Andrew Gubbins, of South Pomfret, who is studying business administration at SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, N.Y., and is a member of the men’s hockey and lacrosse teams, made the State University of New York Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll for the 2025-26 school year.
Alyssa Paquette, of Claremont, who is studying business administration, and Mackenzie Ray, of Grantham, who is studying nursing, made the dean’s list at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn., for the spring 2026 semester.
Emma Westward, of New London, made the dean’s list at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the spring 2026 semester.
Eden Ritondo, of Newport, made the dean’s list at the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y., for the spring 2026 semester.
Jamison Banks, of New London, and Emily Lewis, of White River Junction, made the dean’s list at Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., for the spring 2026 semester.
School Notes are published in the Monday Valley News as space and time permits. Email academic accomplishments to schoolnotes@vnews.com.
