HODGDON, Maine — It was a time for cheers, tears, confetti and balloons Friday evening as 38 seniors graduated from Hodgdon High School.
Principal Mary Harbison opened the ceremony with the announcement of the all-around male and female students for the year.
“These students were chosen by the faculty and staff of Hodgdon High School as the students who best exemplify the core values of our school,” Harbison said. “These are students we would be proud to claim as our own son or daughter.”
Macy Palmer and Tyler Sherman were announced as the recipients of the awards.
Salutatorian Lauren Howell encouraged her fellow classmates to follow their dreams as she took them on a look back at their time together.
“We’ve always been looking forward to something,” she said. “When we were in elementary school, we couldn’t wait to be in middle school so we could be the big fish at Mill Pond. Then we couldn’t wait to get to high school because we realized what freedom awaited us. And since we entered high school, we couldn’t wait to be on this stage today, to be released into the world to prove we can make our own decisions.”
She encouraged her classmates to continue to look forward to what the future holds, but to also look back from time to time to remember from where they came.
“Don’t forget to not only look ahead, but sometimes look back and reflect,” she said. “And remind yourself of the values of each situation we’re placed, even when we don’t like it, because everything has a value.”
The senior chorus, with a little help from other vocalists in the school, delivered the poignant Styx song, “Show Me The Way.”
Hannah Chapla, first honor essayist, also took her classmates on a fond trip down memory lane in her address.
“Some of us have been together since we were 4 years old, learning how to count,” she said. “It seems like that simple counting evolved into trigonometry and pre-calculus overnight. We thought for sure we’d stay young forever, but we didn’t. As we hurriedly rush into life after high school, I want to encourage us to never forget the values of where we came from.”
Valedictorian Courtney Jurson highlighted the wisdom of Dr. Seuss in her address, extolling the six life lessons that can be gleaned from works by the famous writer. Those six life lessons were: try new things; be yourself; be honest; be a world-changer; prepare yourself; and you are loved.
“You don’t now you will enjoy something until the first time you try it,” Jurson said. “Why suffer from boredom when there is a world full of new things out there? Go to places you have never been before. Try new foods, change your habits and allow yourself to explore new ideas and inspirations.”
Superintendent Scott Richardson congratulated the graduating class on all of their accomplishments and encouraged them to continue striving to be the best they can be in whatever direction they follow after high school.
“I only came on as superintendent on March 1, so I didn’t get to know these individuals, but I do know some things about them,” he said. “I know 74 percent are planning to go onto college or the military. The rest (of the students) are already working or contributing members of their community.
“I know 14 students have taken advanced placement or early college courses, saving their parents $31,000,” he added. “I also know two students were awarded scholarships based on their outstanding volunteerism in the community.”
