By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — In one sweeping gesture from the right to the left, thirty-six made transition from student to alumni at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics on May 28. While the day was a milestone in the lives of the graduates, the day also signified the 15th graduating class of Maine’s only statewide public residential high school. Aptly, MSSM co-founder Dr. James Patterson gave the keynote address during commencement and gave the students a take-home message of just three words: pay it forward.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Shifting their tassels from student to alumni status at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics were, from left, Benjamin St. Laurent, Martha Hamlin and Elizabeth Coyne.
Whether graduates’ paths take them to universities like Harvard and Brown or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and beyond, the trails to those destinations were blazed at the small magnet school through hard work and dedication that’s not exclusive to the graduating class. Quoting President John F. Kennedy, Patterson said “For those to whom much is given, much is expected.”
With educational expenses of MSSM’s exceptional students sponsored by their parents and guardians as well as the state of Maine, their academic achievements at the magnet school have opened the doors for scholarships and grants, estimating that the MSSM graduating Class of 2011 has probably been offered millions of dollars through grants and financial aid to continue their persuit of education.
Patterson described how through their own hard work, the teachings of a dedicated faculty, the trust of their parents and a little help from their peers has set them up for success in the next chapter of their lives.
Historically, there’s no limit to where MSSM alumni have gone; from Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, nuclear engineers, NASA scientists, doctors, professors and entrepreneurs, many of the school’s former students credit their time at MSSM for a portion of their success.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Graduating from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics just minutes earlier and brimming with excitement, Rebecca Henderson, Margaret Ho, Casey Thornton and Elizabeth Coyne clearly didn’t need to be prompted with “smile” before having their photo taken on May 28.
Much is expected of MSSM’s newest graduates as they go off into academia and Patterson did encourage them to take full advantage of the opportunities in front of them, but he also gave them advice so simple that it took him only three words: pay it forward.
“Many individuals — fellow classmates, family members and the state of Maine — have given you the opportunity for your success, culminating in today; now it’s your turn to pay it forward,” Patterson said, giving them a list of ways that they can make a difference wherever they are, like tutoring their fellow students, working a day at a soup kitchen or reading to a veteran or an elderly person.
“There are many ways that you can give something of yourself moving forward,” he said. “This process of assisting other helps all of us further our understanding of other people and, through that process, ourselves.”
While Patterson celebrated the graduates for their accomplishments, he himself was presented an award; in recognition of his service to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, the Board of Trustees named him their first honorary lifetime trustee.
This wasn’t the first time Patterson was honored by the school; in the early 2000s he was awarded an honorary diploma from MSSM, “and I said at that point ‘I was glad it was honorary and that I didn’t have to undergo the academic rigors of the school,” he said, expressing his thanks.
No one knows of MSSM’s academic rigors quite like the students produced by the institution.
“It’s been my personal honor and privilege to study with each and every one of you,” said MSSM’s student speaker during commencement, Daniel Jandreau. “You’ve all impacted my life in a way that no other place than MSSM would allow.”
During the graduation ceremony, it was also announced that MSSM alumni and current math teach at the school Luke Shorty has been named the school’s new executive director.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Sharing smiles and tears in a three-friend hug after Saturday’s graduation ceremony at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics were graduates Casey Thornton, right, Ashley Hale, center, and MSSM alumni Adaeze Olugbemi.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Co-founder of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics Dr. James Patterson was the keynote speaker for the school’s 15th graduation ceremony on May 28 and was awarded the title of Honorary Lifetime Trustee.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Student Speaker for the Maine School of Science and Mathematics Graduating Class of 2011 was Daniel Jandreau.
