Grads told to ‘pursue life’
By Tomi Henderson
Special to the Star-Herald
MARS HILL — The Central Aroostook High School gymnasium in Mars Hill was the site for graduation activities on June 11, as the 26 members of the Class of 2011 received their diplomas. Mrs. Wendy Grass played the prelude and processional as Class Marshal Samuel Bennett led the Class of 2011 into the gym.
Class Salutatorian Sarah Brewer welcomed friends and family to the commencement activities. She said she is “proud to call everyone of you a member of my class. We have been a part of each others’ lives for the past four, eight and, for some, 18 years. And today, in one single night, we finally move on. I wish everyone the best of luck in their future.”
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
The CAHS graduating class of 2011 waits for the recessional after they received their diplomas and switched their tassels on Friday, June 10.
Senior Sam Bennett played a wonderful self-composed piano selection. A slide presentation, prepared by Kristen Long and Rebecca Grass, was enjoyed by all as the class was shown through the years.
Valedictorian Taylor Bradbury spoke of high school being “just one stage in their lives.”
“Each graduate has goals that they hope to accomplish, whether it’s college, the military or the workforce,” said Bradbury. “As we leave here tonight, I hope that every one of us will go out and chase our dreams. I hope that we will all not hold back on pursuing our goals and that we will all make our dreams realities.”
There were many scholarships awarded during class night on June 9 and at graduation. The Bob Doak Memorial Scholarships were awarded to: Sarah Brewer, Taylor Fletcher and Logan McLaughlin. The Bridgewater Recreation Department Scholarships were awarded to: Taylor Bradbury, Logan Brewer, Gabrielle Brewer, Kyle Murray and Tyler Rusby. The Bridgewater Baptist Church awarded a scholarship to Kaine Kingsbury. The CAHS Faculty/Staff Scholarships were awarded to: Logan Brewer, Gabrielle Brewer and Kaine Kingsbury.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
Principal Kevin Grass presented awards during graduation on Friday, June 10, to Valedictorian Taylor Bradbury and Salutatorian Sarah Brewer. They both plan to attend the University of Maine at Presque Isle this fall — Taylor for accounting and Sarah for biology.
The Margaret and Bert Tidd Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Gabrielle Brewer. The Chris Sincerbeaux Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Logan McLaughlin. The C.P. Whittaker Scholarship was awarded to Trevor Lento.
The Dana B. and Arlene McCrum Scholarships were awarded to Caleb Kelly and Rebecca Grass. The Don L. McCrum Scholarship was awarded to Sarah Brewer. The Edith Kimball Lane Memorial Scholarships were awarded to: Jeremy Tweedie, Kaine Kingsbury, Rebecca Grass, Sarah Brewer and Sasha Grass.
The Gregg Grass Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Sasha Grass. The Harvest Scholarships were awarded to: Logan Brewer, Logan McLaughlin, Taylor Bradbury, Sasha Grass, Jeremy Tweedie, Kyle Murray, Tyler Rusby, Bryce Bridges, Rebecca Grass, Kristen Long and Samuel Bennett.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
Graduate Samuel Bennett played a self-composed piece on the piano during graduation at CAHS in Mars Hill on Friday, June 10.
The Jack L. Harvath Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Samuel Bennett, Kyle Murray and Ryan Scully. The Robert and Betty Alexander Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Sasha Grass. The J. Hardin and Anna Shaw Christian College Scholarship was awarded to Caleb Kelly. The Leroy P. Shepard Merit Scholarship was awarded to Sarah Brewer. The Jay Bradbury Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Kristen Long.
The Maine Principals’ Association Award was presented to Kristen Long. The Mars Hill and Blaine Jr. Extension Scholarship was awarded to Sarah Brewer. The Mars Hill FFA Local Scholarship was awarded to Sasha Grass.
The Mars Hill Rotary Scholarship was awarded to Sasha Grass. The MELMAC Scholarship was awarded to Sarah Brewer. The NMCC Presidential Scholarship was awarded to Sasha Grass.The Ruth Bubar Memorial Music Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Fletcher.
The Sargent and Tweedie Transportation and the Barry Shaw Memorial Scholarships were awarded to: Jeremy Tweedie, Kyle Murray, Taylor Bradbury and Shane Giberson. The Sen. George Mitchell Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Bradbury. The York Family Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Logan Brewer. The Timothy N. Tweedie Scholarship was awarded to Logan McLaughlin.
The Mars Hill and Blaine Winterfest Scholarships were awarded to Kaine Kingsbury and Logan McLaughlin. The Yale and Mary Adelman Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Kristen Long. The Bank of Maine Scholarship was awarded to Kristen Long. The Outstanding NHS Member Scholarship was awarded to Sarah Brewer. The Early College for Maine Scholarship was awarded to Kaine Kingsbury.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
CAHS Graduates Sasha Grass and Jeremy Tweedie march in during Class Night activities on Thursday, June 9.
The ACI Alumni Scholarships were awarded to Sarah Brewer and Sasha Grass. The Aroostook Lodge 197 Scholarships were awarded to Taylor Bradbury and Kristen Long. The Barry Barker Tweedie Scholarships were awarded to: Sarah Brewer, Taylor Bradbury, Logan McLaughlin and Lacey Bradstreet. The BCA Alumni Scholarship was awarded to Logan Brewer.
The Headstart Scholarships were awarded to Sarah Brewer and Gabrielle Brewer. The Earl and Boyce Bradbury Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Bradbury. The Lois Terrell Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Gabrielle Brewer.
The Grace and Jiggs Rideout Scholarship was awarded to Sasha Grass. The Life By Design Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Fletcher. The Maine Potato Board Scholarships were awarded to Logan McLaughlin and Logan Brewer. The George and Dorie Wortman Scholarship was awarded to Rebecca Grass. The Northern Maine Antique Tractor Club Scholarship was presented to Logan Brewer.
The Avis Hallett Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Bradbury. The Ralph Hallett Jr. Memorial Scholarship was given to Sarah Brewer. The Richard Hallett Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Sasha Grass.
The Emmett “Bud” Porter Scholarship was awarded to Taylor Bradbury. The Ricker College Scholarship was awarded to Sasha Grass. The Cecil Estabrook Scholarships were awarded to: Logan McLaughlin, Caleb Kelly, Rebecca Grass, Sasha Grass and Samuel Bennett.
There were almost $68,000 in scholarships awarded during Class Night and at graduation.
The presentation of diplomas was done by Jason Woollard, chairman of the Board of Directors; Superintendent Roger Shaw; Superintendent Marc Gendron; Principal Kevin Grass; and Class Advisor Nola Pendexter; with Mrs. Barker reading the graduates’ names.
Superintendent Roger Shaw congratulated the class for the efforts they made to make their graduation a reality.
Shaw stated, “You will make many choices that will determine the quality of your life and the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment you experience. Everyone in this room wants, above all else, for you to be happy. That most important but often elusive accomplishment requires you to choose well, pursue life with courage, love what you do and live life passionately, but most importantly, may everyone see in you a man or woman of integrity. As your journey continues, may God bless each one of you.”
In closing, Class President Gabrielle Brewer extended her thanks to all who supported her class through the years. To her fellow graduates she stated, “Thank you so much for being part of my life. You have given me a very … interesting and fun start to the life I am going to live. Congratulations class of 2011. We did it!”
