Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

HHS students selected as high school chairs for cancer fundraiser

Hopkinton High School freshmen (from left) Phoebe Snyder, Brooke Merrill and Lyla Donohue were chosen as high school chairs for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s Against the Tide Run, Swim, Walk event this June at Hopkinton State Park.

Three Hopkinton High School freshmen are taking on important leadership roles to help organize the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s annual Against the Tide event this June.

The Against the Tide Swim, Run, Walk event — scheduled for June 20 at Hopkinton State Park — supports breast cancer prevention. It is a major fundraising event for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) and helps support the nonprofit’s community education and student environmental health programs, according to its website.

“MBCC is the only organization locally or nationally focusing on breast cancer prevention,” said Brooke Merrill, one of the HHS students. She, Lyla Donohue and Phoebe Snyder were selected as high school chairs for the event and are tasked with helping organize the fundraiser.

“Our jobs include advertising around town [and] organizing different groups of volunteers,” said Snyder. The students explained that they have been focused on advertising the event across Hopkinton and have talked to businesses both in Hopkinton and surrounding communities. Merrill noted that the advertising has had its difficulties, but it also has been fun to get other students and teachers involved in Against the Tide.

The girls said they first learned about the opportunity to volunteer with MBCC through the high school. After signing up and making a connection with Cheryl Osimo, the organization’s executive director, the three were offered the opportunity to step into larger roles — ones they have the chance to continue after the event is over.

“This is a thing we can stay committed to and work on through high school,” said Snyder.

“Cheryl would love to have us working more, and we would love to keep working,” said Donohue.

Working together on the Against the Tide event mostly has been a smooth experience for the girls. “We’re so close we can text and work things out together,” said Donohue, noting the three were friends prior to their involvement with MBCC. “I think it has deepened our connection.”

Merrill said the organization has provided some guidance but has let the three of them work independently on the event. She also expressed gratitude for MBCC placing its trust in them.

“I think that we’re really grateful for the opportunity they gave us, even though we’re freshmen,” she said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The School Committee on Thursday approved a reduced fiscal year 2027 operating budget following a spike in projected health insurance rates.

Director of Student Services Jessica Beattie discussed with the School Committee on Thursday steps the district is taking to decrease disproportionality and show improvement in the number of white students identified with specific learning disabilities.

Kim Tucker Tremblay hopes her run of the Boston Marathon for the Hopkinton Emergency Fund will raise awareness and donations to the nonprofit, as well as inspire other communities to start up similar programs.

Hopkinton native Marisa Cofone will raise money for the Hopkinton Music Association as she tackles her first Boston Marathon this year.

Symptom-free after a bout with atrial fibrillation in 2023, Keith Gilbreath is hoping for a comeback to marathoning this year as he runs for Hopkinton Boys Youth Lacrosse.

David Wright, 77, formerly of Hopkinton, passed away March 24.

Nanette Kenrick, 79, died on March 25. She was a long-term member and director of the Hopkinton Historical Society and an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Hopkinton.

Award-winning Tom Petty tribute band Petty Larceny will play the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Saturday.

Town meetings tonight include the Appropriation Committee (5), Commission on Disability (7) and Zoning Advisory Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

Youngsters sprint to the end of the course during the Team Hoyt Taper road race on Saturday. Click here for more photos.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO