“This evening is more than just a celebration, you have achieved success in your own styles, ignoring stereotyping,” stated Dan MacDonald, director of the Eastern Aroostook Adult and Community Education Center. MacDonald was addressing 10 of the 11 members of the graduating Class of 2012 Eastern Aroostook Alternative High School.
During the June 7 alternative high school graduation ceremony held at the Learning Center, graduates, wearing their caps and gowns, entered the gymnasium filled with family members and friends, to the music of Rascal Flatts “My Wish.”
Following MacDonald’s welcome Tracy Corbin, guidance counselor, addressed the graduates. “I have asked myself what was I thinking when I was sitting where you are today, waiting for the speeches to end. Actually it was probably — ‘would you please just keep quiet — let’s get out of here.’”
Corbin reminded the graduates that although they are considered ‘Generation Z’ they have grown up as members of generation ‘9/11,’ during a time of issues such as unemployment, global warming, and stock market crashes. But — “know you are more globally connected, more technically advanced than any other generation before you. In the future maybe you could watch more news, become more educated and informed and — question authority — question what’s going on. You are the authors of your children’s history books,” stated Corbin.
“Remember these things,” Corbin added, “there is more to life than minimum wage jobs — get more training, go to college or join the military. Jobs are like boyfriends, nobody wants you until somebody else does; remember that people come into your life for a season or a reason, you have the most to learn from those you like the least and always be nice to your parents — we all manage to foul up our kids lives at some point — and so will you.”
Graduates Kyle Burns-Frazier and Devin Cote shared the class speaker’s address acknowledging that their success was due to the staff at the alternative high school who made them feel valuable.
Burns-Frazier, who will be attending Northern Maine Community College in the fall and came to the alternative high school as a senior, stated that during his time in the alternative program, it was the first time he felt like he belonged — the first time he felt like a teenager. As Burns-Frazier and Cote finished their remarks, Burns-Frazier encouraged his classmates to, “Stand proud and scream loud.”
Prior to the presentation of the high school diplomas and special awards, the graduates participated in the popular and most often very emotional carnation ceremony during which each grad presents a single carnation to that very important individual in their young lives who has never doubted them, never turned their back on them — that one person whose support has been the “Wind Beneath My Wings,” the Bette Midler song that played in the background as the graduates searched out their special person.
Staff members Erica Gove, Bill Gehring, Peg Conologue and MacDonald presented special student awards recognizing academic achievement, character, leadership and personal growth.
Recipients and their respective awards included Kemzen Adams, 2012 Leadership Award; Devin Cote, 2012 Personal Growth Award; Chad Little, 2012 Director’s Award; and the 2012 Responsible School Citizen Award, presented to an underclassman went to Harley Hansel, who will begin her senior year in August at the alternative high school.
RSU 39 Superintendent Frank McElwain assisted MacDonald and Gove in the presentation of the high school diplomas.
Graduates include: Kemzen Adams, Kyle Burns-Frazier, Tyler Caron, Devin Cote, Jonathan King, Chad Little, Ashley Michaud, Brianna Michaud, Dagon Rossignol, Aaron Tarbox and Joseph Volinski.
