Leaders, Scholars, Trailblazers: Hoboken HS Celebrates Samantha Gotimer and Hannah Morley as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Leaders, Scholars, Trailblazers: Hoboken HS Celebrates Samantha Gotimer and Hannah Morley as the
Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Hoboken, NJ, (June 8, 2026)—Hoboken High School is proud to announce Samantha Gotimer as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Hannah Morley as the Class of 2026 Salutatorian, recognizing two extraordinary students whose academic excellence, leadership, and service have made a profound impact on the school community.
Valedictorian: Samantha Gotimer
An exceptional scholar‑athlete and leader, Samantha has distinguished herself as one of the most accomplished students in recent school history. Although Hoboken High School does not officially rank students, she currently stands at the very top of her class, earning High Honors every marking period while pursuing one of the school’s most rigorous academic programs. Her intellectual curiosity and passion for political science, law, and history have driven her to excel across disciplines.
Samantha served as lead attorney on the school’s Mock Trial team, helping secure a county championship, and earned Outstanding Attorney recognition at the Princeton Moot Court competition, ranking fourth out of 170 participants. Her involvement in Model UN, Moot Court, and Biolympiad further highlights her analytical skill and poise under pressure.
A decorated three‑season athlete, Samantha has served as captain of the varsity cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams since sophomore year. She has broken seven school records, earned multiple All‑County honors, and was named Overall MVP for Track and Field during both her freshman and sophomore years.
Her commitment to service includes coaching middle school athletes, volunteering with Girls on the Run, and completing more than 100 hours of community service, earning the Innerview Ambassador Award. Faculty describe her as focused, authentic, intellectually fearless, and deeply motivated.
This fall, Samantha will attend Northwestern University, where she plans to pursue a degree in Political Science.
Salutatorian: Hannah Morley
Hoboken High School is equally proud to recognize Hannah Morley as the Class of 2026 Salutatorian, honoring her exceptional academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, and service.
Hannah pursued one of the school’s most rigorous academic schedules, excelling in Advanced Placement and honors coursework across disciplines. She distinguished herself in AP Japanese, where her fluency and dedication to independent study showcased her intellectual curiosity and global perspective. Her strengths in applied mathematics, language studies, humanities, and analytical reasoning reflect her versatility and passion for learning.
Hannah’s leadership and communication skills were evident through her roles in Mock Trial, Debate Team, Model UN, and Model Congress, where she consistently impressed peers and advisors with her preparation, confidence, and thoughtful engagement with complex issues.
A gifted performer, Hannah starred as a lead in the school musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and earned numerous accolades, including a MainStage performance at the International Thespians Festival, a first‑place finish in Musical Theatre Ensemble at STANJ, and top honors at the Hudson County Teen Arts Festival. She also contributed to the school’s music programs through concert band, chorus, woodwind ensemble, and Guitar Club.
As Treasurer of the AAPI Culture Club, Hannah helped promote cultural awareness and inclusion. She was an active member of Student Government, National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society, and volunteered as an online SAT tutor. She earned the Innerview Honor Award after completing more than 60 hours of community service in a single year and was named Overall Student of the Month three times.
Having attended school in Japan and remaining fluent in Japanese, Hannah brings a unique global perspective and cultural awareness to her academic and extracurricular pursuits. Faculty describe her as intelligent, creative, humble, and deeply motivated.
This fall, Hannah will attend the University of Cambridge, where she will pursue a degree in Law.
Hoboken High School celebrates the extraordinary achievements of both Samantha and Hannah and looks forward to all they will accomplish in the years ahead.