HOULTON, Maine — Robert Albers, head of School for Greater Houlton Christian Academy, is pleased to announce the honor part for the graduating Class of 2026:
Valedictorian Jack Philbrook is the son of Joel and Jessica Philbrook of New Limerick. Philbrook is a three-year member of the National Honor Society. For the past three years he has received recognition by the Association of Christian Schools International as a Distinguished Christian High School Student for academics and leadership. Philbrook is also a 2026 Maine Principal’s Award recipient and has participated in one year of high school baseball and cross country.
He attends Dyer Brook Community Church and serves in various areas of ministry. In February Philbrook traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of a mission team.
In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing and working on his truck.
Philbrook is currently employed by Precision Tree Service. In the fall, he will continue his employment in addition to pursuing a degree in business from the University of Maine at Orono.
Salutatorian Emery W. Nightingale is the son of Matthew and Heidi Nightingale of Houlton. He is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and has served as student body president. Nightingale has also received recognition from the Association of Christian Schools International for Academics.
He has been a part of many service projects at GHCA, including volunteering for 40 Days for Life and food drives. He serves within his community and has specifically enjoyed being a Young Eagles Fly-in volunteer and playing in McGill’s Community Band. In February Nightingale traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of a mission team with his classmates. He attends the East Hodgdon Bible Church where he serves in the sound booth and enjoys working in children’s ministry, including VBS and Wilderness Day Camp. He has also participated in intramural volleyball and Ski4Life.
In his spare time, Nightingale enjoys skiing and spending time with family and friends around the lake.
He is currently employed by WHOU as a sports videographer. In the fall, Nightingale will attend Cedarville University, where he will pursue a degree in innovative and industrial design.
First Honor Essayist Hayley McGuire is the daughter of Andrew and Tiffany McGuire of New Limerick. She is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and has received recognition from the Association of Christian Schools International for Athletics and Leadership.
At the varsity sports level, McGuire has participated in four years of lacrosse, two years of soccer and two years of golf. In 2025 she received a medal for lowest female golf score.
In February McGuire and her dad traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of a mission team with her classmates. She attends Military Street Baptist Church and enjoys working with the children at Choices and in Sunday School. McGuire also attends Beacon Youth.
She worked for Treeland Farms for four years. Currently McGuire is employed at Madigan Estates and will also work at Hotham’s Veterinary this summer. She enjoys house sitting and pet sitting and plans to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia to pursue a bachelor’s degree in zoology.
