Saugus High Class of 2024

School Superintendent Hashem looks forward to having another daughter graduating with honors – second in 3 years

By Mark E. Vogler

Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Michael Hashem will be a super proud dad tonight when he attends the 153rd Commencement Exercises for Saugus High School. His daughter Rachel, treasurer of the Class of 2024 and a National Honor Society member, will be among the 178 Saugus High students receiving diplomas. The graduation ceremonies get underway at 6 p.m. at Christie Serino Jr. Memorial Stadium.

This will mark the second time in three years that a Saugus High graduation has been extra special for Hashem and his family. Two years ago, when he was serving as Saugus High School Principal, Hashem’s daughter Mikayla Chelsea – one of the graduates – sang the National Anthem. She was also a National Honor Society member in that year’s class and headed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst to study Theater. When Rachel received her National Honor Society recognition on Wednesday at the annual Scholarship and Academic/Service Awards Night, an emotional superintendent rose from his chair on the stage to embrace his daughter.

Rachel is one of 17 members in the Class of 2024 who graduate as members of the National Honor Society. She served as class treasurer and is headed to UMass Lowell to study Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics. She received a Certificate of Merit with Highest Honors from the Society of Women Engineers.

She is one of 13 Advanced Academy Scholars – an honor she shares with the top four students in the class:

Sarah Lande Dorielan, the Valedictorian – the top ranked student in the graduating class. She plans to attend Tufts University in the fall to study Biopsychology. She received the Excellence in English Award selected by the English Department.

Gabriella Lucia Huber, the Salutatorian – the second top ranked student in the class. She plans to attend Saint Joseph’s College of Maine to study Biology and Premed. She received the Excellence in Science Award selected by the Science Department. She received a Certificate of Merit with Highest Honors from the Society of Women Engineers.

Kathryn Coelho DeSouza, one of the two graduation Marshals – the third top ranked student in the class. She plans to study Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts Lowell this fall. She received a Certificate of Merit with Highest Honors from the Society of Women Engineers.

Jessica Marianne Bremberg, the second graduation Marshal – the fourth top ranked student in the class. She is also class president and served as the representative to the School Committee. She plans to attend Saint Anselm College to study Criminal Justice this fall. She received a Certificate of Merit with Highest Honors from the Society of Women Engineers. She also received the Douglas Lockwood Scholarship for Most “All Around” Student.

Dorielan, Huber and Bremberg are among the students who will address the class at tonight’s graduation.

Saugus Middle High School Principal Brendon Sullivan called this year’s class “remarkable.” “This was an excellent night,” Sullivan said in an interview after the Scholarship and Academic/Service Awards Night. “All of the honors and accolades bestowed on the students were well deserved. We have some really bright students graduating,” Sullivan said.

“They are good, all-around students – not just in academics. They are involved in athletics, drama, social issues and change. It’s a really great group,” he said.

“I love this class. It’s a wonderful class. They seemed to enjoy their senior year and their time at Saugus High. They showed a lot of enthusiasm tonight, cheering on each other as each student went up to get their awards. They made the most of their time here,” he said.

Sullivan, who has overseen two previous graduations as principal, said he hopes that several of the members of the Saugus High Class of 2024 will return to teach in Saugus. “They are great role models for all of my students. I already have former students as staff and welcome them to come back and teach here,” he said.