“Pomp and Circumstance” will be playing all over town this weekend, with the class of 2026 at both Pierson and East Hampton High Schools receiving their diplomas.
Two hundred twenty-six Bonackers will graduate Friday, June 26, at 6 p.m. Sara Smith, E.H.H.S. principal, said that academically, the class of 2026 is second to none. “They have collectively taken full advantage of our robust A.P. program. They are the largest group to date in our science research program. And their college acceptances were among the best on record.”
The valedictorian is Griffin Beckmann, who will attend Brown University to pursue environmental science studies. The salutatorian is Charlie Stern, who will attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business to study business administration.
One hundred fifty students will be attending four-year colleges, while 29 are going to two-year schools. One student is going to a trade school, another is taking a gap year, and a third is participating in a postgraduate prep-school program. Six students will be joining the military, and 38 are entering the work force.
Thirteen graduates completed Career and Technical Education (C.T.E.) programs. Eight participated in the automotive program, while five took culinary arts.
“The East Hampton High School class of 2026 is a remarkable group of individuals,” Ms. Smith said. “This is evident not only in their outstanding college acceptances, but also by what they have accomplished in their four years with us. This group is the most environmentally conscious cohort I have had the pleasure to work with; they have fully gotten rid of single-use plastic utensils in our cafeteria and transitioned to reusable cutlery, they have worked on major composting initiatives in Montauk and East Hampton, and they continue to do important work with environmental groups throughout the East End”
“As a whole,” she continued, “they will be remembered for their inclusive spirit: whether they participated in unified athletics, supported our Life Skills program by being patrons of Bonac Brew, volunteered to tutor their fellow students, or simply how they looked out for each other. This group understands what it means to be a part of a community and has given back in important ways. Whether it be with the Retreat’s Teen Leadership Council, the food pantry, our civic organizations, the volunteer ambulance, or countless other ways, they have found what is important to them and participated both in and out of school to give back to the community that supported them.”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed having them as part of E.H.H.S., and I am proud and honored to have the privilege of being their principal. I know they will accomplish great things as they take their next steps in college, the work force, or the military.”
Sixty-four Whalers will graduate from Sag Harbor’s Pierson High School on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The valedictorian is Maddie Quinn, who will attend the University of Chicago to study history and political science. The salutatorian is Lily Caplin, who will attend Yale University to pursue environmental studies.
Eighty-nine percent of the class will go to college, while 11 percent will enter the work force. No students in this class are joining the military or going to trade school.
Sixteen Pierson High graduates completed C.T.E. programs. While many of those students are continuing on to college, Dominic Mazzeo will be utilizing his barbering certification to join his family’s business. Twenty members of the graduating class are also International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates.
“The class of 2026 has distinguished itself through academic excellence, service, leadership, and resilience”, said Brittany Carriero, Pierson’s principal. “Whether they are heading to college, entering the work force, or pursuing specialized career pathways, they have embraced opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. We are incredibly proud of this talented group of students and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in their communities and beyond.”