As graduation approaches once again, many seniors face a growing pressure that isn’t always talked about openly. It’s the expectation to have their future figured out and planned at just 18 years old. At an age where people are still learning so much about themselves, students are asked to make major decisions about their careers, majors, and life paths that are exciting for some, but overwhelming for many. Whether they are certain or unsure, seniors are expected to choose what comes next and commit to a direction with confidence, even when they are still discovering who they are and what they want.
As the Class of 2026 gets ready to graduate, seniors are thinking about what comes next with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Their plans range from military service to health sciences to music and psychology, showing how many different directions students can take after high school. Even though their paths are different, they all share the experience of growing up at Ipswich High School and preparing for life beyond it.
Abbie Allen is a hardworking, conscientious, and diligent student at IHS whether it’s on the field hockey turf, the tennis courts, or in the classroom. She has chosen a future that reflects those same qualities, as she plans to major in political science on the international relations track with a minor in history. She will be studying at the United States Naval Academy, which is an accomplishment that not only requires a fitness test, but also a personalized letter of recommendation from someone in Congress! Her decision reflects her long-standing interests in leadership, service, and understanding the world that is going on around her.
For Abbie, “[She] always knew that college was in [her] future.” Along with college being a definite part of her future, she always knew history and humanities were her passions and strong areas of study. Specifically she accredited, “I had the best 8th grade history teacher,” leading her to not just love the content of the class, but also who was teaching it.
Outside of school, a major influence on her passions has also been her dad. “Some of [her] favorite memories with him have been the long car rides discussing history and the importance of the subject.” Those conversations helped her develop a deeper curiosity about how the past connects to the present, which ultimately led her to her major. What she is most excited for about college is the chance to be with people who think similarly and strive for as much as she does. Her nerves are strictly in anticipation for the unexpected. She went on to say, “I just have to really trust God’s plan and that everything will work out the way that it’s meant to.”
The sound of her beautiful voice, her laugh, or her kindness is among the most recognizable in our school. Hannah Queen has held a stage presence on the Performing Arts center all through middle and high school singing solos in orchestra and band concerts, school plays and musicals, and in other smaller ensembles. Hannah will be attending Gordon College and is planning to double major in music and psychology. The connection between these majors originates with Hannah’s love for music and care for those around her; she wishes to pursue a career in music therapy. The idea “really only came to [her] this year, [she] knew [she] wanted to work with people,” and incorporate the power of music to do so.
Initially she was leaning towards studying just psychology, but “music was too important for [her] and too much of what [she] is to not have it be a part of [her] career.” Her passion for music began at a very young age, her uncle gifted her a stereo. Together they would sing along to music and Hannah would dream of writing her own songs one day. In the church choir, she got to be in an environment which allowed her to express herself through music and inspire others.
Throughout her schooling, Hannah has considered following other paths to kinesthesiology or physical therapy. The musical environment of IHS and the encouragement of chorus teacher Mrs. Frost encouraged Hannah to continue using her gift of musicality. Mrs. Frost helped Hannah to strengthen her music writing skills and “she was a reminder to not put music on the back burner,” as she moved into a world filled with opportunity.
For many students at IHS, the stage is scary, but not for Maddie Dodge. For her, it became the place where she discovered who she wanted to be. She is known for her outstanding dedication and work in the theatre department, her role in the first violin section, and her natural creativity. She has become someone others look to for both leadership and talent. Whether she is performing on stage or helping guide others in rehearsal, she brings confidence and genuine passion into every performance.
Maddie’s love for performing began early and continued to grow throughout high school. She revealed, “I’ve known I wanted to be an actor since I saw the IMS Theatre production of Peter Pan. I think ever since then I get more and more motivated everyday by the people around me to be a successful performer.” This fall, she will continue pursuing that dream by studying musical theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Looking back on her experience at IHS, Maddie said the Fine Arts program helped prepare for the expectations of the professional world and gave her the confidence and push to pursue performing as a career, even when many people around her encouraged her not to or told her she wouldn’t be successful.
You might have seen this senior on the track and field team running and jumping hurdles, but she is also widely recognized for her lighthearted personality and her ability to light up any room she walks in. Kameya Perron will be attending Ithaca College, where she plans to major in Clinical Health Sciences on the DPT (Doctorate Physical Therapy) track while continuing her athletic career in track and field.
She shared that her decision to pursue physical therapy as a career comes from both her love of science and her experiences as an athlete. Kameya explained that she has always been interested in the human body and has loved helping others, especially when it comes to sports injuries and supporting friends through recovery. Looking ahead, she is excited to combine her passion for science and athletics in college, saying it has always been a dream of hers since she was young to be able to compete at a higher athletic level, while also pursuing a career in healthcare.
The first time Jacoby Scarano picked up a violin was around the time he learned to walk. As for his character, he is extremely approachable and has one of the best work ethics as a student at IHS. Scarano has been leading music ensembles within and outside of IHS throughout his entire public school career. In addition to playing violin, he has “always loved playing the drums.” Among Jacoby’s musical hobbies, he also enjoys skateboarding and playing soccer and basketball.
At Vanderbilt University, Jacoby will be double majoring in jazz studies as well as economics. He plans to continue jazz studies and pursue music; however, his selection of economics is open to change. As he says goodbye to the IHS music department, he is “most excited and most nervous to move far away to a place where I know nobody,” but, “It should be fun!”
As these seniors take their next steps, one common theme becomes clear through speaking with them; there is no single “right” path after high school. Some are stepping into military programs, others into demanding academic and artistic fields, but all are carrying with them the experiences that shaped them growing up and at IHS. While their futures may still feel uncertain at times, each student is moving forward with purpose, passion, and resilience.
What ties them together isn’t the direction they are going, but the courage it takes to go there. As they leave Ipswich High School behind, they aren’t only stepping into new environments, but also into versions of themselves they have yet to discover. No matter what these seniors end up doing and accomplishing, they will always have IHS in the background supporting and cheering them on. In embracing the unknown, they are beginning their next chapter of growth, challenge, and endless possibility.
