If Mayor Robert Van Campen wants to start an Everett City Hall softball team, his first stop will undoubtedly be at the City Council Office.
That’s where Catherine Carignan is stationed after being named the new Legislative Aide to the Everett City Council. Carignan, 22, is a former softball great at Suffolk University following her legendary high school career in New Hampshire where she led her Campbell High School team in Litchfield, to an undefeated state championship.
Carignan earned Academic All-American recognition at Suffolk where she majored in Political Science and Environmental Science. She also had a one-semester internship at the Massachusetts State House for Rep. Adrian Madaro of East Boston.
Carignan graduated from Suffolk in 2026 and is a new resident of Everett.
“I was looking for a place to move to, and I wanted to stay around the city but go somewhere that was affordable, and I found a complex that was really nice and super affordable,” related Carignan. “And in the same time as finding an apartment, I was looking at websites and I found this role that opened up, and it was perfect for my field, and here I am.”
The selection process
City Council Stephanie Smith was part of a committee that selected Carignan from a substantial field of candidates.
“For the first time, the Everett City Council partnered with the City’s Human Resources Department to conduct a comprehensive recruitment and hiring process for its Legislative Aide position,” said Smith. “More than 40 applications were received, with HR conducting initial screenings followed by a review from the City Council President and a second round of HR screening. Six finalists were selected for in-person interviews with a panel consisting of the City Council President and representatives from the City Council and City Clerk’s offices.”
Smith said the interview panel was extremely impressed by the quality of the final candidates.
“Following a competitive selection process, Catherine was selected as the City Council’s new Legislative Aide. A recent Everett resident and Suffolk University graduate, Catherine brings experience from a variety of internships at both the municipal and state levels, providing a strong foundation in government operations and public service.”
Smith said that as Legislative Aide, “Catherine will support the Council’s legislative responsibilities through constituent communications, research, administrative coordination, and assistance with day-to-day Council operations.”
“We are excited to welcome Catherine to the City Council team,” said Smith on behalf of the 11-member Council. “As we continue to strengthen and mature our legislative operations, Catherine will play an important role in helping us work more effectively and better serve the residents of Everett. We look forward to the energy, perspective, and experience Catherine will bring to the role.”
In her position, Carignan will work with David Flood, who is the Council’s legislative researcher. She succeeds Michael Mangan, who is the new assistant city clerk in Everett.
An early interest in politics
As a resident of New Hampshire which has held the country’s first-in-the-nation Presidential Primary since 1920, Carignan developed an interest in politics at a young age. She was also inspired by her father, a police officer for 30 years, and her mother, who is a schoolteacher.
“I’ve been involved in politics my whole life, and I really grew a liking for it during the 2016 elections (Donald J. Trump versus Hillary Clinton in the Presidential Election) when I was in middle school,” said Carignan. “Ever since then, I took as many classes as I could. I really love going to events and fundraisers, too. It’s something I really value.”
Campbell grew up in Litchfield and was a three-year starter in softball at Campbell High School, leading the Cougars to one state championship in 2021 and reaching the state finals in her other seasons. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
“Our town was known for softball,” said Carignan, who also played for the New England Fusion competitive fast-pitch team based in Londonderry. “The girls with whom I grew up were my teammates and we were a super good team.”
Carignan was also a four-year starter in volleyball and a two-year player for the Campbell basketball team.
“I love volleyball, but I trained the most in softball, so it made sense to go to school for it,” said Carignan.
Softball success in college
Carignan speaks humbly about her softball career, but the fact is the right-handed power hitter and outfielder will be a future candidate for the Suffolk Athletic Hall of Fame.
Carignan batted close to .400 and was a feared home run hitter. “It’s a really good feeling to hit the ball out of the park,” admitted Carignan. “Nothing tops that.”
Carignan was elected captain in her senior year. “It was a lot of fun to be the captain, and I learned a lot being in that role. But it helped tie in my major to softball with learning about communication and leadership,” said Carrigan, whose Suffolk teams traveled south to Florida for spring softball games and to California in her senior season.
Getting to know Everett
Carignan is getting accustomed to life in Everett and working in a key position in city government. She’s enjoyed meeting the elected officials and other professionals who work at City Hall.
“Everyone has been so welcoming,” said Carignan. “Mayor Van Campen has been great and stops by and says hello every day, which is really kind.”
Carignan likes her residential area, “which has a bunch of walking trails, pickleball courts, and a field, so I get to spend a lot of my time outside, which is what I love to do.”
Carignan is becoming visible in the community. Respectful of athletic excellence, Carignan attended Everett High School’s Homecoming football game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“My goal was to be involved in the community that I live in,” said Carignan. “So living here now just makes me more passionate about the policies that are being passed and the representatives and councilors with whom I’m working. It’s been really great to meet city officials and residents and learn what people are passionate about, and that’s really helped me in my new job.”
