Staff Writer
On Sunday afternoon, June 13, members of the 2010 Caribou High School graduating class, entered into the school gymnasium at precisely 2 p.m., marching to the beckoning and emotion-stirring strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the talented musicians of the CHS Symphonic Band.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
2010 graduates of Caribou High School, Abby Small, left, and Elizabeth Barbosa share a hug, a few tears and big smiles following Sunday’s, June 13 Senior Commencement ceremony.
The CHS gymnasium was filled with family members and friends of the graduating students and the air held an energy charged by happiness, excitement and anticipation — at the same time, anxiety, curiosity and a little touch of sadness.
“Please bless and watch over all the members of the Class of 2010,” asked Kaysie Pelletier, as she offered the Invocation at the graduation ceremony, “and be by our sides each and every day as we turn the page and begin a new chapter in our lives.”
The 2010 Salutatorian Address was given by Jared Sleeper whose remarks included, “We, as a class have everything to be grateful for — we have studied under the wise tutelage of the hard working and dedicated faculty of Caribou High School and have been supported by understanding parents and grandparents who have put enormous efforts in to get us here, coaches who have taught us the very limits of what we can achieve and a host of other mentors too endemic in this place to list. By the end of this ceremony, we will have received a diploma that represents one of the greatest gifts society can bequeath to its citizens — an education, and a fine one at that. Let us never underestimate the magnitude of that gift or the investment made in us by our community. This diploma will pay dividends both to us and to society as a whole for the rest of our lives. On behalf of my class, to all seated before me; thank you — you have made all the difference and we stand here because of you.”
As he continued with the salutatorian address Sleeper reminded his classmates that over the past four years the combined class had spent 1.8 million minutes walking between class periods; one-half million hours in school and 787.5 days doing homework.
“We have become all-state choir and band members, state champions, leaders, innovators, mathletes, DECA competitors and all stars but our greatness lies not only in those achievements that received accolades, but in the countless that did not. We have navigated the halls of CHS successfully and the body of effort behind that fact is larger than words can describe.”
Sleeper also reminded his classmates that, “We have made friendships that will last a lifetime, lived moments that will be forever remembered and persevered together, through time high and low. Through it all we have been proud, strong and loyal — proper Vikings. The time has come for our departure, but let any lingering sadness be ameliorated by the manner of our farewell, for we have fought the good fight, we have finished the race and we have kept the faith. We have not tired, we have not faltered, we have not failed and above all, we have never stopped believing.”
Sleeper’s words, confidently delivered drew impressive applause and shouts from classmates and audience members.
Following the 2010 Salutatorian Address, members of the CHS Senior Chorus sang, “Keep On Holding On,” a musical selection whose haunting harmonious notes brought tears to the eyes of classmates and most everyone else in the gymnasium, performed by the chorus members who have proven time and again throughout their CHS years, the extent of their musical talents.
Mark Jones CHS principal awarded the Valedictory and Salutatory awards to Sleeper and Emily Anderson. Jones congratulated the Class of 2010 on their achievements and growth during their high school careers.
“You never know when the ‘biggest days’ of your life are going to be,” stated Class President Abby Small, as she addressed the graduates. “We are artists, athletes, performers and scholars — we are individually unique and similar in that together, we have grown into young adults who after today, will be embarking on a different journey.”
“Of the students graduating and seated before you, 66 of us have maintained an average of 85 or higher. This statistic truly reflects the hard work and discipline needed to accomplish such an academic achievement as we have collectively,” continued Small. “When we tragically lost one of our own classmates in the eighth grade, we learned more about life’s lessons and what compassion means. We have had tragedies and challenges outside of the halls of Caribou High School and students came together to help those families in need.”
“Today we become citizens of the world — we become accountable for someone other than ourselves and our grades,” said Small, “ for what — I am not entirely sure; for anything; for everything. To take on life, to take on love; to take on the responsibilities and possibilities of what lies ahead for us — to the future, to all the dreams, hopes and wishes that life has to offer. You never know when your words or actions will impact that of another — you never know when an ‘ordinary day’ turns out to be anything but ordinary.”
Following a orchestral presentation by the CHS Symphonic Band of “Symphony No 2” composed by Frank Ticheli, Emily Faith Anderson, began her Valedictorian address.
“When I was a little girl, whenever it rained, I would find my umbrella, put on my teeny yellow “raincoat and go outside to jump in the puddles — I know that after the rain flowers would grow and sometimes, I would be able to see a rainbow,” remembered Anderson. “This relationship also applies to our lives. Throughout our high school years, we have all had our rainstorms. We have struggled through classes, drama and working jobs,” she continued, “but Dolly Parton once said, ‘the way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.’”
Drawing from a very recent tragedy in her own life,( the loss of her father) the 2010 Valedictorian, struggled at first with tears, her voice quivering, but drew the strength she needed from her classmates and those in the audience as she continued, “For myself, my rain has been a bit more different than just a poor grade and I know that other classmates may be able to relate. After the accident, I received an incredible amount of support and I managed to make it through the rest of my senior year. My Class, though, the Class of 2010 were amazing and supportive — I could not have done it without you.”
Anderson shared a quote with her fellow graduates by Robert Frost, “In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life; it goes on.” “With this in mind, we need to remember that while we may be crying today over our graduation, we need to be looking forward to tomorrow, because that is where we are going,” she added. “Over the past four years, in dealing with rain and earning our rainbows, we have been building our lives — the foundation for our future.”
In concluding her address Anderson said, ‘Walt Disney once said, “All of our dreams come true — if we have the courage to pursue them.” “ As for me, I do have my own personal dreams, but I have another dream for us as a class —to live happily every after.”
At the completion of the student speeches, came the moment each of these students had been anxiously awaiting, the awarding of diplomas to the Class of 2010. With their class motto, printed on a banner above the stage, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” the CHS students took their final steps toward achieving their high school diplomas.
Participating in the awarding of the diplomas ceremony were: Katherine Anderson and Scott Willey, both members of the board of education as well as parents of a graduating senior; Frank McElwain, superintendent of schools, Mark Jones, CHS principal and David Wakana, assistant principal.
As the last student stepped down from the stage, clutching their well-deserved diploma, the newest graduates of Caribou High School, rose to sing their class song, fittingly enough, titled, “Time of Your Life,” by Green Day. With emotion openly showing on the grads faces, many wiping away tears, their voices combined for one last time as members of the Class of 2010.
With the last refrain echoing in their familiar gymnasium, new graduate Christine Kashian offered the Benediction saying, “Bless and watch over this class as we travel, together and apart.”
Members of the Caribou High School Class of 2010 include the following.
Andrew Adams, Cameron Anderson, Emily Anderson, Jade Anderson, Ashley Ayotte, Derek Ballard, Whitney Ballard, Elizabeth Barbosa and Trevor Beaulieu. Monica Beaupre, Megan Bechard, Amanda Belanger, Glenn Bernard, William Bilodeau, Finn Bondeson, Michael Boucher and Crystal Brayall; Brian Brewer, Erin Buck, Annie Burgess, Heaven Cantafio, Marie Clark, Ryan Clark, Jessica Collins, Ian Connolly and Jennifer Corbin.
Samantha Corey, Taylor Corey, Bryant Corriveau, Molli Cullins, Lauren DeMerchant and Jerry DePriest; Annette Derry, Brittany Doak, Ashley Doucette, Jessica Doucette and Tyler Drake; Sarah Englund, Meagan Engstrom, Timothy Freme, Haley Goudreau and Amanda Guerrette. Joel Guerrette, Travis Hallett, Caitlin Haynie, Kody Hornick, Megan Jandreau and Ashley Johndro. Also, Rachel Jordan, Nathannael Kamm, Christine Kashian, Janelle Kernan, Charles Ketch, Kyrah Kyle, Lance La Mothe, Danielle Lane, Kyle Ledue and Benjamin Lulofs.
Danielle MacDonald, Dustin Mancos, Kyle McCrossin, Bridget McDougall, Ethan McDuffie, Janelle McGee and Brandon Mills; Kegan Mitchell, Christopher Montgomery, Kellie Moody, Kelsey Morin, Brittany Nadeau, Christopher Nadeau, Meagan Nadeau, Melissa Nadeau and Michael Nadeau. Also, Kellene O’Hara, Megan Ostlund, Jonathan Ouellette, Ryan Ouellette, Sara Ouellette and Derek Page;
Emilie Patton, Kaysie Pelletier, Eric Peterson, Haley Plourde, Corey Pinette, Nathan Polson and Christopher Ramos; Melissa Russ, Megan Scheppele, Rachel Silford, Dusty Skidgel, Jared Sleeper and Abby Small. Also: Rebekah Smith, Danielle Soucy, Chelsea St. Peter, Daniel St. peter, terry St. Peter and Evan Susee.
Zachary Tardie, Brandon Theriualt, Sierra Theriault, Cortney Therrien, Kayla Thibodeau, Mallory Thompson, Seth Tracy, Kevin Turcotte, Theodore Walker, Justin Wilcox and Taylor Willette; Nicholas Willey, Philip Willey, Miranda Williamson, Anthony Woods and Benjamin Wyman.
