Grads told to ‘dream big’
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
ASHLAND — The Class of 2011 completed one journey June 11 and began their next — the first class to graduate from Ashland District School.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
THE FIRST CLASS to graduate from Ashland District High School was the Class of 2011. Pictured in front from left are: Cody Levesque, Nicholas Porter, Keith Holmes Jr., Kylee Lothrop, Allen Michaud, Jillian Burby, Samantha Langley, Aaron McLellan and Christina Santiago. In back: Kenneth Tarr, Myles Bolstridge, Thomas Long Jr., Jordan Beaulier, Whitney Donovan, Robert Morrow Jr., Rylee Graham and Katelynn Orcutt.
Kenneth Tarr offered the salutatorian address, telling his classmates that this was “the most important time of our lives” and that the journey was just beginning.
“Whatever we set our minds to, we can do,” said Tarr.
Valedictorian Katelynn Orcutt shared tales of class members, including how she met her best friend, Rylee Graham.
Orcutt noted that “Our time in high school is over. It’s time to start doing those things” only dreamt about until now.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
FRIENDLY NUDGE — Lynwood McHatten takes a moment to congratulate Kenneth Tarr, salutatorian of the Class of 2011, following the graduation ceremony June 11 in Ashland.
Class members provided musical entertainment, followed by the dedication to parents and a video presentation of the students through the years. Scholarships were awarded to a number of grads, and gifts were presented to special individuals for their dedication and support of the class.
Superintendent Gehrig Johnson acknowledged what a special day it was, noting “You today have the privilege of being the first to graduate from this school. In the future, you won’t pass up the chance to let others know you were the first to graduate here.”
Graduation speaker Larry Hall shared his musical talent with those in attendance as he encouraged the graduates to continue their respective journeys and follow their dreams, using “The Wizard of Oz” as his theme.
Hall began by saying the “stark reality is no one remembers who spoke or what they said” and that it was now “on my shoulders to say something inspirational you’ll remember.”
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CONGRATULATIONS — SAD 32 School Board Chair Sheila Lyons shakes hands with Keith Holmes Jr. after he received his diploma during the June 11 ceremony.
He described the Scarecrow, one of the first characters you meet in the children’s classic.
“He’d say ‘If I only had a brain.’ You’ve got one and that’s how you got here. But you’ll have to use it again. Pick something you like and do it. I suggest you go for more education — use your brain again,” said Hall.
Next came the Tin Man.
“His request was ‘If I only had a heart.’ You hear people say ‘She’s got a good heart’ that equates to kindness and caring,” said Hall, noting there’s more than one way to have heart. He used bullying as an example and how students can make a heartfelt stance against hurtful words or actions.
“You wouldn’t tell a person to their face what you’d text. Cyber-bullying is real. We need to be more tolerant of others that aren’t like us. There’s nothing wrong with being nice. And there’s another kind of heart that athletes have. When an athlete flops, they shake it off and play on,” said Hall. “People say ‘He has heart.’ You have that kind too. There’s not one of us here that hasn’t had a flop and had to go on.”.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
JORDAN BEAULIER, who served as one of the class marshals for the Ashland Class of 2011’s graduation on June 11, gets a congratulatory hug from Jim Gardner, former town manager of Ashland.
He noted that no one has a perfect education, career, family, etc.
“That’s a fairy tale that won’t happen to you. When you flop, have the heart to get up,” said Hall.
The Lion rounded out the trio of fictional characters, with Hall recalling how the Cowardly Lion wished only to “have the nerve.”
“That translates to courage and bravery. Those who enter the military don’t do it for the medals but rather to serve others,” said Hall, as he went on to share a story of talking bravery to some Scouts.
“You have to have a real brave kid to say ‘no’ to things that can hurt them — brave with friends, acquaintances,” said Hall, encouraging the Class of 2011 to have “the bravery to say ‘no’ to things that will hurt you and the courage to say ‘no.’”
Hall ended by singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” closing by telling the graduates to “Dream big and congrats.”
Diplomas were then presented.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
GRADUATION SPEAKER Larry Hall takes a bow as he steps to the podium to speak during the June 11 graduation ceremony at Ashland District School. Pictured behind Hall, from left, are: Lynwood McHatten, Principal Chris Hallett, School Board Chair Sheila Lyons and SAD 32 Superintendent Gehrig Johnson.
At the close of the ceremony, Sheila Lyons, chair of the SAD 32 School Board, addressed the grads.
“I’m very moved and proud of you today. I hope in 20 years to be just as proud. Make it happen,” said Lyons, recalling one of the books she’d read to the students when they were in kindergarten, “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch.
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my babies you’ll be,” said Lyons.
Scholarships awarded
Eleven of the 17 graduates have been accepted at post-secondary institutions. Scholarship awards in the amount of $73,575 were presented to those pursuing higher education.
Graduates, their post-secondary plans, and scholarships received include as follows: Jordan Beaulier, University of Maine, scholarships: Ashland Area Teachers, L.K. Tilley Family, King-Thomas Trust, Dawn and Frankie Sprague Memorial, Levesque Family, Ashland Rotary-Mike Millett Memorial, and the Ricker Endowment; Myles Bolstridge, Northern Maine Community College, scholarships: Khambaty Family, Travis Grover Memorial, Ira Hersey Memorial, R.L. Fournier Memorial, King-Thomas Trust, Town of Portage, Levesque Family, and Ashland Rotary-Art Rafford Memorial; Jillian Burby, Northern Maine Community College (part-time), scholarships: R.L. Fournier Memorial, and Levesque Family; Whitney Donovan, University of Maine at Presque Isle, scholarships: Larry Lyons Memorial, King-Thomas Trust, Town of Masardis, Levesque Family, and Ashland Alumni Association.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
STANDING ROOM ONLY — Graduates and well-wishers lined the hall outside the auditorium at Ashland District School, following the graduation ceremony held June 11.
Also making the list: Rylee Graham, University of Maine at Presque Isle, scholarships: Elsie G. Jones Memorial, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, King-Thomas Trust, Levesque Family, Ashland Rotary, and Masardis Pioneer Lodge 72; Keith Holmes, University of Maine at Farmington, scholarships: Khambaty Family, Pete and Irene Sawyer Memorial, Bobby Goding Memorial, King-Thomas, Town of Portage, Bryan Boutot Memorial, Levesque Family, and Ashland Rotary; Kylee Lothrop, University of Maine at Presque Isle, scholarships: King-Thomas, Levesque Family; Allen Michaud, Northern Maine Community College, scholarships: Ira Hersey Memorial, King-Thomas, and LeRoy and Nancy Farris Memorial; Katelynn Orcutt, University of Maine at Farmington, scholarships: King-Thomas Trust, Town of Masardis, Levesque Family, Nikki Beaulieu Memorial, and Mitchell Scholar Award; Christina Santiago, University of Maine at Presque Isle, scholarships: Town of Ashland, King-Thomas Trust, Levesque Family, and MEL MAC Education Foundation; and Kenneth Tarr, University of Maine at Farmington, scholarships: Bobby Goding Memorial, King-Thomas Trust, Edward and Geneva Morin Service, Levesque Family, Ashland Alumni Association, and Nikki Beaulieu Memorial.
Additionally, King-Thomas scholarships totaling $16,000 were awarded to 11 alumni applicants. The King-Thomas awards were established by the late Barbara Thomas-King of Masardis and are available to all alumni who are residents of SAD 32 communities and pursue post-secondary study on a full-time basis. The deadline for applicants is the first Monday of May each year. Contact the guidance office for applications.
