Hamilton, Beverly Students Named As Top Essex North Shore Graduates

DANVERS, MA — Essex North Shore pending graduates from Hamilton and Beverly are the school's Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian.

Brooke Sargent, of Hamilton, was named valedictorian and Joss Ebersole, of Beverly, was named salutatorian, according to a school release.

Ranked first in her class, Sargent gained extensive hands-on experience at Hamilton Dentistry, assisting with sterilization, X-rays, composites and crowns. A Dartmouth Book Award recipient, DECA competitor, and National Honor Society member, she is also a public speaker for Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH), a USA Women's Sled Hockey Development Camp attendee, and has served on the Dental Assisting Advisory Board since ninth grade.

Sargent will be attending the University of Michigan to study neuroscience and play sled hockey for the Belle Tire Sled hockey team.

"It is such an honor to graduate from Essex Tech as the Class of 2025 valedictorian," Sargent said. "I am so grateful for my foundation of strong academics and firsthand job experience in the dental field. I know Essex Tech has prepared me well for college and dental school, and I can't wait to continue my education at the University of Michigan.

"Essex Tech has definitely helped me develop my leadership skills, find my passions and make connections with lifelong friends. I can't wait to see where my next chapter leads."

Ebersole is a standout in Engineering and Automation Technology. With a 4.82 GPA, she excelled in AP Biology, Calculus and Physics while completing internships at Medtronic, ARCH Medical and Aerospace, and Zoe Medical.

She will attend the University of New Hampshire to pursue a double major in engineering and sustainability, combining her technical talents with a passion for horticulture to design sustainable agricultural solutions.

"As I graduate from Essex Tech as salutatorian, I’m grateful for everything these past four years have given me," Ebersole said. "The mix of APs, hands-on technical work, job experience, and connecting with like-minded people has helped me grow into the person I am today.

"I'm leaving feeling more confident and excited to use what I’ve learned to impact the future."

"We are incredibly proud of Brooke and Joss for their exceptional achievements and the meaningful contributions they’ve made to our school community," Superintendent Heidi Riccio said. "They exemplify what it means to be Essex Tech students: leaders in academics, technical excellence, and character. Their dedication, passion, and perseverance make them true role models for their peer and future Hawks."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)