The Harrisville Central School District is proud to announce the valedictorian, salutatorian and top vocational awards for the graduating Class of 2026.
Valedictorian
Maiya Sullivan
Maiya Sullivan, daughter of Justin and Jessica Sullivan of Harrisville, has earned the highest academic award of Valedictorian for the class of 2026. She plans to attend college in the fall for Radiology with the desire to become a radiologist or an ultrasound technician.
At graduation, Maiya will receive an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors, Mastery in Mathematics and Mastery in Science. Maiya’s seven-semester academic grade point average is 100.28. She has earned 33 college credits through various institutions, including Hudson Valley Community College, North Country Community College, Jefferson Community College and SUNY Canton.
Maiya has been active in school groups and sports. She is a current member of the National Honor Society and a former member of the National Junior Honor Society. She has been an honor student all four years of high school and she is a member of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and Student Representative Assembly (SRA). Maiya said she has always enjoyed being a part of SRA and YAC because she is able to give back and help her community.
During the summers leading up to her freshman and sophomore years, Maiya attended the Horizons program at Clarkson University, and ahead of her junior year, she attended HOBY, a Youth Leadership Program. Maiya was also the President of her class for the majority of her high school career and has participated in soccer, band and art club throughout high school.
Maiya’s honors include:
- St. Lawrence University’s Augsbury North Country Scholar
- RIT’s Science and Math Award
- St. Bonaventure’s Bonnie Scholarship
- Keuka George H. Ball Community Achievement Award
- University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award
- WWNY Channel 7 Academic All-Star
Salutatorian
Helen Looby
Helen Looby, daughter of Patrick and Shannon Looby of Harrisville, holds the second highest grade point average in her class at 99.82, earning her the title of Salutatorian for the Class of 2026. In the fall, she will be attending Washington and Lee University in Virginia where she plans to study Mathematics.
Helen will receive an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and Mastery in Mathematics at graduation. Helen has distinguished herself through academic excellence, leadership, and service throughout her high school years. Before moving to Harrisville, Helen spent 18 months volunteering in Central America. Following six weeks of intensive Spanish Language School in Guatemala, she and her family moved to Honduras and lived among the rural poor, working alongside local ministries and humanitarian groups to provide childcare, distribute food and school supplies, and serve remote mountain communities.
After returning to the North Country and joining Harrisville Central School midway through high school, Helen quickly found a welcoming community of teachers, staff, and classmates who made Harrisville feel like home. Through her involvement at St. Francis Solanus Church and the Harrisville Food Pantry, she has grown to deeply appreciate the close-knit community and friendships she knows will last long after graduation.
Helen played on the girls varsity soccer and basketball teams her senior year. She also played field hockey during her freshman year when she attended The Summit Academy in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Helen is also very involved in High School Chorus, National Honor Society, and the Diocesan Youth Council. She strives to lead by example for her younger peers at Harrisville Central School.
Top Two-Year Vocational Award
Lilah Stephenson
Lilah Stephenson, daughter of Christopher Stephenson and Kyleigh Clement of Harrisville, has earned the Highest Vocational Award for a senior in a two-year program for the Class of 2026. Lilah plans to attend college to study either criminal justice or forestry in hopes of becoming a DEC Officer.
Lilah has an overall grade point average of 90.79 and will receive a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation at graduation. She will also receive dual enrollment credits through SUNY Canton for U.S. History and English 12.
Lilah attends the Southwest Technical Center for Criminal Justice. A highlight of her learning this year included a ride along with state police. Lilah has participated in various extracurriculars throughout her high school career, including band, chorus, select chorus, and Harrisville’s Green Team. She also played on both the basketball and soccer teams, and has been a member of the varsity softball team since her freshman year.
Lilah’s honors include:
- Honors Student (junior year)
- Southwest Tech Top Achiever Award
- Southwest Tech Student of the Month (November, 2025)
Top One-Year Vocational Award
Jaelin Fayette
Jaelin Fayette, daughter of Shawnalee Fayette of Harrisville, has earned the Highest Vocational Award for a senior in a one-year vocational program for the Class of 2026. Jaelin has committed to the Army National Guard and plans to become a combat medic.
Jaelin has an overall grade point average of 98.93 and will receive a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Mastery in Mathematics at graduation. She will have earned 27 college credits throughout her high school career. Jaelin is a student at Southwest Technical Center participating in the Health and Emergency Rescue Occupations program, where she became eligible to take her Emergency Medical Technician exam in May.
Jaelin has been a varsity three-sport athlete all four years of high school, playing soccer, basketball and softball. She has also participated in a wide variety of extracurricular activities and clubs including, high school band and chorus, Backpack Club, Art Club, F.F.A., IMPETUS, Student Representative Assembly, Youth Advocacy Council, Whiz Quiz and the school musical.
Jaelin has been a class leader all four years of high school, serving as Treasurer freshman year and Vice President sophomore, junior, and senior years. She was also a member of the National Junior Honor Society and a current member of National Honor Society.
Jaelin’s honors include:
- Soccer Section X Second Team All Northern (junior year)
- Basketball Section X Second Team All Northern (senior year)
- Softball Section X First Team All Northern (junior year)
- Honor Student
- Southwest Tech Top Achiever Award
- Clarkson University Leadership Award
- RIT Women in STEM Award
- Keuka George H. Ball Community Achievement Award