Saugus High School Class of 2026 – Seven out of 10 of this year’s graduates have plans of attending two- or four-year institutions this fall

By Mark E. Vogler

Saugus High School Class President Maria Silva, 18, said she plans on attending Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in the fall to study courses in pursuit of a career in nursing and ultimately as a nurse practitioner. Evelyne Meas, 18, the Valedictorian in the Class of 2026, and Zenera Shahu, 17, the Salutatorian, are both headed to Tufts University. Meas plans a double major in Biochemistry and Fine Arts, with career aspirations of becoming a pathologist. Shahu plans to study Biology in a premed track in hopes of becoming a physician one day. Her dream job would be as a pediatrician, working with children from birth through the age of 18. They are among the top students who will be addressing their fellow graduates tonight as Saugus High holds its 155th Commencement Exercises.

“The most exciting thing for me during my High School career was being elected by my classmates to be president for four years and also being on the volleyball team that went to the tournament,” said Silva, who was captain of the volleyball and softball teams.

“We’re a very well-rounded class with a diverse group of students,” she said.

Silva is also a proud student athlete, who served as vice president of the National Honor Society. Silva’s sister, Ana, is a 2024 Saugus High graduate who played on the girls’ basketball team.

Meas said she sees “good leadership capabilities” as part of what makes this year’s class “special.” She said she also regards “getting over stage fright when I joined the Drama Club and Acapella” as her biggest accomplishments.

“I think I’m pretty good now,’ she said of her public speaking skills.

She plans to research women’s health. “Many women get misdiagnosed with their health problems,” Meas said.

“I think it would be interesting to study the biological differences between the sexes,” she said.

“I chose Tufts because I know it has a really good art program. I like anything to do with art. I want to do as many things as I can in college.”

Meas played tennis for four years and was captain of the women’s team. She also played on the girls volleyball team. Meas was born in Boston, the daughter of immigrant parents from Cambodia. She said her brother, Cornyn, is a top-ranked student in the 10th grade.

Shahu is a cofounder and served as copresident of the school’s Environmental Club along with her friend and classmate Isabella Vasi. The two students caught the attention of local ecologists for creating the club during their sophomore year at Saugus High. Last year, the local group Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) honored them with SAVE’s first Environmental Recognition Award.

Shahu was born in Albania and moved to Massachusetts when she was three. She and her family members have been residents of Saugus since she was nine.

“We’re a tight-knit group,” Shahu said of this year’s graduating class.

“We’ve known each other since we were very young. We’re close and look out for one another,” she said.

She’s also a committee chair of the National Honor Society.

Overall, 117 Saugus High School seniors – 71.3 percent of this year’s graduating class – have plans for attending two or four-year institutions. About 51 percent of the college-bound students in the class (60 students) will be first-generation college students, according to statistics provided by Saugus Public Schools. There will be 164 Saugus High School students receiving diplomas during graduation ceremonies set for 6 p.m. at Christie Serino Jr. Memorial Stadium.

Here’s a breakdown of where the Saugus High School Class of 2026 will be headed after spending their final hours together:

Four-Year Colleges and Universities – 87 (53 percent)

Two-Year Colleges and Universities — 30 (18.3 percent)

Other Post Secondary Education (Vocational/Job Corps/Career Institutes/Prep School) – 18 (11 percent)

Plans to further their education – 135 (82 percent)

Employment – 19 (11.6 percent)

Vocational/Career Institutes – 18 (11 percent)

Other/Year Off/Undecided – 9 (5.5 percent)

Military – 1 (.6 percent)

Four-Year Public Colleges/Universities – 41 (25 percent)

Two-Year Public Colleges – 30 (18.3 percent)

Four-Year Private Colleges/Universities – 46 (28 percent)