HOULTON, Maine — One of the largest graduating classes in the history of the Carleton Project bid a fond farewell to classmates Thursday evening before a standing-room-only crowd at the Houlton Higher Education Center.
Thirty-four high school students from Houlton, Presque Isle, Lincoln and Bangor received their diplomas. That figure is nearly three times the number of students who graduated a year ago.
The ceremony also bestowed diplomas to graduates in the Houlton/Hodgdon Adult Education program, University of Maine at Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College and University of Maine at Augusta.
Chuck Ames, director of the HHEC, welcomed guests to the service.
“I am so honored to welcome you to this historic occasion,” Ames said. “It represents a milestone of outstanding significance and describes the individual achievements and challenges these students have overcome. I salute your accomplishments.”
Linda Schott, president of UMPI, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony and used several sports analogies in addressing the graduates. A fan of basketball and in particular the San Antonio Spurs, Schott offered the grads five key points in her address: talent is overrated; determination and perseverance are keys to success; you achieve big goals by taking little steps along the way; try to be a part of an effective team; and a team is more effective if you are a team player.
Otis Smith and Bernadette Farrar presented diplomas to the Adult Education grads.
The Carleton Project is a private, alternative education program created in 1999 that teaches students from three locations — Houlton, Presque Isle and Lincoln.
Carleton Project students receiving their degrees were Anthony Ridley, Joshua Haynes, Elisha Lyons, Brandon Wardwell, Elizabeth DeCoste, Gerald Davis, Jonathan Brackett, Tanisha Arthurs, Zachary Ring, Kala Carson, Ashley Chamagne, Christina Felkner, Noah Clark, Jessica Knowleton, Hector Lieras, Alysia Winchester, Joshua Daigle, Josh Scott, Dustin Eastham, Emily Polchies, Nicole Henderson, Chelysea Sabbatis, Jake Fortier, Tyler Bartlett, Breanna Cullen, Walker Sheaves, Weston Langley, Kaytee Farrar, Hunter Hanning, Andrew Hanning, Kyra Scott, Brianna Gerrish, Damiano Pizzuti and Jazmine Segar.
The Houlton/Hodgdon Adult Education program bestowed 29 diplomas. Receiving their degrees were Kyle Mailloux, Nathan Acott, Laura Caron, Timothy Brecht Jr., Daniel Bouchard, Paul Langenbach, Megan Knox, Dylan Polchies, Joanna London, Crystal Greenlaw, James King Jr., Travis Webb, Echo Turner, Billy Whiteley, Trevor Tompkins, James Shaw, Bud Nason Jr., Rebecca Small, Yolanda Martinez, Jonathan Tuttle, Anna Smarr, Jordan Brown, Colby Shaw, Zachary Bishop, Tara Gray, Georgia Egenstaser, and Barrett Nason.
Two other Adult Education grads wished to remain anonymous.
UMA bestowed 11 diplomas to local grads. Receiving their degrees were Robin McNally, Chad Belyea, Jessica Bouley, Jean Lake, Shelly Murchie, Dedra Quint, Tanya Raymond, Pamela Sanders, Kristie Taylor, Robynne Burby-Hoyt and Danielle Hannington.
UMPI awarded 24 diplomas to area grads. Receiving their degrees were Amy Schnoor, Heather Jones, Amanda Haney, Beth Ford, Brent Drawz, Diana White, Earlene McEwen, Hayley Jipson, Jennifer Roshto, Jessica Deveau, Laura Schools, Lucas McAfee, Megan Bither, Nancy McNannus, Natasha Winslow, Reanna King, Renee Devoe, Renee Smith, Rhonda London, Sarah Cowett, Sarah Valji, Shelley Murchie, Stefanie Schillinger and Nicole Ford.
NMCC presented 23 diplomas to locals. Receiving degrees were Viola Bates, Koby Botting, Kristin Hogan, Michael Brewer, Taylor Bulley, Erika Coyle, Morgan Flewelling, Thomas Frazier, Kristin Hogan, Wei Chen Kimball, Robert Lawless, Taylor Lindsay, Gabrielle Ossinger, Michael Parmigiani, Tina Pierce, Sharon Romanelli, Kristopher Bouchard, Elisabeth Clark, Lesley McGuire, Barbara Walton, Keran Valji, Robert Garland and Gregory Schools.
