Pierson High School Announces Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2026
Sag Harbor’s Pierson High School has announced Madeline Quinn as valedictorian and Lily Caplin as salutatorian for the Class of 2026, recognizing two students whose academic excellence and leadership have made a lasting impact on the school community.
Valedictorian, Madeline Quinn, will attend the University of Chicago, where she plans to study political science and history. She hopes to pursue a career in law, with an interest in working for the U.S. Department of Justice. Throughout high school, Quinn distinguished herself as President of Model UN, a board member and mentorship leader for Southampton Town Youth Court, and a delegate selected as one of just 27 students in New York State to attend the Conference on National Affairs through Southampton Town Youth and Government. She was also deeply involved in athletics as a basketball captain and softball catcher, while serving as Coding Captain for the robotics team and a student leader with Long Island Teen Institute.
Salutatorian, Lily Caplin, will attend Yale University, where she plans to major in Environmental Studies. While still exploring whether her future will lead to medicine or research, Caplin has already demonstrated a passion for science, leadership and service. She serves as President of Pierson’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Club, Co-President of the Environmental Club, and Editor-in-Chief of the Pierson Singularity Literary Magazine. Her work also includes research as a Simon’s Summer Fellow at Stony Brook University, an internship with ReWild Long Island, and mentoring young athletes as a swim and bike instructor with I-Tri Girls. She also captained East Hampton’s varsity swim team.
Together, Quinn and Caplin represent the academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to community that define Pierson’s Class of 2026.