NASHUA, N.H. – More than 400 students received their diplomas at the 2026 Nashua High School South graduation ceremony on Tuesday. Thousands of family members and friends filled the stands at Stellos Stadium and lined the field to witness the occasion.
Mother Nature cooperated, and the outdoor ceremony took place under clear skies.
Principal Keith Richard, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mario Andrade, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Jennifer Scarpati and Matthew Polka, along with several faculty members and Nashua officials, presided over the event.
Teacher Kyle Gilmore, selected by the graduating class as the faculty speaker, began his teaching career the same year the Class of 2026 entered high school. He spoke about the special connection he has with this group as they navigated the high school experience together — they as students, and he as a rookie educator.
“Your freshman year was also mine. Over these years, I've seen you at your highest of highs and your lowest of lows. All of you have become young adults in front of me, and I'm so proud. Over these four years, I've played many roles: a teacher, a coach, a cheering fan and, yes, some may even say a role model. We've laughed a lot, we've had heart-to-hearts, and we've been honest,” Gilmore said.
“Each of you will have your own challenges, but how you respond is what is most important. Do not be afraid, because how you respond is what is most important.
“So please, enjoy life. Don't live on autopilot. Don't be afraid to take the training wheels off. Take chances.”
Graduating senior Henry Long delivered the student address, opening with a lighthearted disclaimer. He told classmates that his remarks were “fully written by me without the aid of ChatGPT” and urged them, “Kids, don’t use AI to do your work, okay?”
Long went on to reflect on the value of taking risks and pushing one’s limits. He described himself as “kind of a shy, quiet kid” who was afraid to talk to most adults, speak up or take risks, including agreeing to be the student speaker and not telling his parents in advance. “Yeah, they didn’t know about this. Surprise, Mom and Dad,” Long said.
Continuing his theme of seizing the moment, Long encouraged classmates not to let fear or peer pressure keep them from pursuing opportunities. “Don’t let an opportunity that could benefit you pass you by,” he said. “Don’t let fear or peer pressure hold you back from doing something you really want to do, especially now as we all approach this fork in the road, where we all take our own paths toward the future.”
“So, with this in mind, in this next stage of our lives, I challenge all of my fellow graduates to take a chance on something you would normally choose to pass up,” Long said. “Go talk to that professor. Ask for that raise. Go skydiving. Choose to cheer for the Buffalo Bills when you’re deep in Patriots territory. Join a club or sport in college that interests you. And for the underclassmen here in the audience, join our Granite State Challenge team. Win us another championship.”
