PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Presque Isle High School Principal David Bartlett and Guidance Director Theresa Bonner are pleased to announce the top five seniors of the graduating Class of 2026.
We are delighted to announce that Benjamin Straetz is ranked first among Presque Isle High School’s Class of 2026. The son of Nathan Straetz and Jessica Straetz of Mapleton, Straetz has taken the most demanding classes offered, consistently earning high honor status every grading quarter. He has earned the coveted PIHS Honor Ring, the Presidential Academic Award, Academic Letter, Honor Bar and the Lamp of Learning Award. Straetz has participated in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s concurrent enrollment program at Presque Isle High School, earning numerous college credits and receiving the AP/Honors Award. Straetz has been actively involved as a member of the Math Team and National Honor Society. During his junior year, he represented Maine in the American Regions Mathematics League. As a senior, Straetz competed with a Presque Isle team at the National Science Bowl. He will be attending the University of Maine at Orono, where he will study mathematics.
Ranked second in Presque Isle High School’s Class of 2026 is Lane Carmichael, the son of Emily Smith and Mathew Carmichael of Westfield. Carmichael has taken multiple honors and Advanced Placement courses. He has also participated in the concurrent enrollment program through the University of Maine at Presque Isle, earning college credits. Carmichael has attained honor roll status throughout all four years of high school. He has earned multiple awards, including the PIHS Honor Ring, the Presidential Academic Award, Academic Letter, Honor Bar and the Lamp of Learning Award. Carmichael has participated in various extracurricular activities, including FFA, National Honor Society, SkillsUSA and Youth and Government. Carmichael served as Maine State FFA president during the 2025–26 school year. He is, also, a multisport athlete. Carmichael will be attending Oklahoma State University in the fall.
Ari Ouellette, niece of Dawn Currie of Presque Isle, ranked third in the Class of 2026. A high honor roll student, Ouellette has excelled academically. She has earned the Presidential Academic Award, Academic Letter, Lamp of Learning Award and the PIHS Honor Bar. Ouellette has participated in the Gifted and Talented program. She approaches learning with enthusiasm and enjoys solving complex problems. In the fall, Ouellette will be attending Southern Maine Community College, majoring in computer science.
Ranked fourth in the Presque Isle High School Class of 2026 is Rhianna Desjardins, daughter of Nikki Poisson of Mapleton and Mathew Desjardins of Presque Isle. Dedicated to her studies, Desjardins has completed several honors and Advanced Placement courses, earning college credits through the University of Maine at Presque Isle. She has earned the PIHS Honor Ring, Presidential Academic Award, Academic Letter, Honor Bar, Lamp of Learning Award and the AP/Honors Award. Desjardins has been actively involved at Presque Isle High School as a varsity athlete, a member of the National Honor Society and an active member of the Senior Class Cabinet. She served as the Northern Maine representative for the National Honor Society. Desjardins was also chosen this year to receive Presque Isle’s Maine Principal’s Award. Outside of school, she serves her community as Miss Mapleton and is an active volunteer. Desjardins will be attending Northeastern University in the fall.
Kaileigh Swanson, daughter of Matthew and Meaghan Swanson of Presque Isle, ranked fifth in the Class of 2026. Swanson has taken multiple honors and Advanced Placement courses and has attained high honor roll status throughout all four years of high school. She has earned multiple awards, including the PIHS Honor Ring, Presidential Academic Award, Academic Letter, Honor Bar and the Lamp of Learning Award. An active member of her school community, Swanson has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including the National Honor Society, serving as vice president of Student Council and serving as both vice president and president of the Civil Rights Team. She was selected to represent Presque Isle High School in the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. This fall, Swanson will be attending Husson University to study psychology.
