Greater Houlton Christian Academy graduates 16

Family, faculty and friends greeted the 16 Greater Houlton Christian Academy students at their May 28 graduation at the Houlton Wesleyan Church.
    Faculty member, Meghan Foster at the piano played the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” for the processional and Peter Holmes, chairman of the board of directors gave the invocation.
A scripture reading was given by senior, Matthew Lincoln, followed by a vocal selection by Julie Shaw of Mars Hill.
Lisa Surran, the senior’s former seventh grade teacher gave the commencement address.
Speaking from the heart she directed her speech to the 16 stars of the evening. Surran recalled the fun times they had together complete with drawings and poems by the students that she had kept since seventh grade. She highlighted their high school accomplishments, her hope for their future and the pride she had for each one.
Surran said, “Don’t let anyone look down on you, set an example, live your faith in speech, life, love and purity. Your class has made an impact and left an impression on many.”
In closing, Surran read this verse from the book of Numbers 9: 24-26 of the New Living Translation.
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.”
Gail Scovill, chair of the Greater Houlton Christian Academy scholarship fund was introduced by Headmaster Mark Jago. He announced to the audience that the scholarship program under the direction of Scovill had tripled in size in the last four years and this year’s graduates would be receiving scholarships totaling $12,000. Each graduating senior received various amounts of scholarship money.
Two special awards presented were a $1,000 scholarship to Kaitlyn Bell from the Melmac Foundation for academic excellence and leadership and a $500 scholarship as part of a scholar athlete award to Mackenzie Burns.
The scholar athlete award was established in 2007 by the Mick Lussier family formerly of Hodgdon and now of Sherbrooke, Quebec in recognition of the fine education their son had received at the school. The Lussier’s son, J.D. had been a student at the Academy for four years before transferring to a Vermont prep school where he graduated co-valedictorian. The Lussier trophy was previously awarded to Megan Korhonen, 2007, Chelsea Lord, 2008 and now Burns, the first male recipient.
In addition to these awards, three seniors were selected to receive Timothy Awards. The first represented academic excellence and was presented to Britta Sjoberg; the second, representing character went to Kaitlyn Bell and for Christian service, Mackenzie Burns was selected.
Senior, Kari Brewer transferred the class leadership from the Class of 2009 to Caleb Little representing the 2010 class.
First Honor essayist, Mackenzie Burns directed his opening remarks to his family first and thanked them for all they had done for him in the last 18 years. He also cited the teachers that had taught him and his fellow classmates from kindergarten through this current year saying, “I think I can speak on behalf of the class when I say that the foundation that’s been laid not only academically, but spiritually has been from you.”
Class advisor, Sandra Straubel speaking after Burns, reminisced about the many experiences she shared with the graduating class. Many of those reminders brought gales of laughter while others touched their emotions and brought tears. Straubel envisioned these students as writers, artists, musicians, teachers or coaches and finding success in a variety of vocations.
The graduates gave their advisor and friend a standing ovation in honor of her dedication and support of their class.
Salutatorian, Kaitlyn Bell began her speech by saying that becoming a senior was not quite what she had imagined. Recalling the first days last fall it felt like just another year, more classes, more socializing and more late nights of studying. Then with college planning it began to sink in that her high school career was coming to an end.
As she recalled her class during their freshman year she summarized their somewhat miraculous progression of self-discipline and said, “I believe we are now ready to face the world and walk in the destiny that God has called us to.”
In conclusion, she said, “Keep a smile on your face and laugh a lot. Remember, compliments you receive and forget the insults.” “Above all, live your life for Jesus because in the end, He is the only one that matters.”
Josh Fish, from Danforth entertained with a song entitled, “Time of My Life” before the final student speech.
Valedictorian, Britta Sjoberg, stepping to the microphone stressed the importance of living for the day.
“Too often in life we focus on what is ahead,” said Sjoberg. “Sometimes looking at the future brings a sense of fear and a heart of worry.”
“Although there is a certain amount of planning ahead that is necessary, an overabundance does harm,” she said. “Since today is all that we have been given let’s make the most of it.”
After the conferring of diplomas by Jago, assisted by Tom Zimmerman, assistant head of the Academy and Holmes, the crowd enjoyed a slide show featuring childhood photos of the graduates after which Jonathan Stormer, high school Bible teacher, gave the closing prayer.