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| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie De La Garza Madeline Blaisdell, at left, shares a post-graduation fist-bump with Patrick Blackstone; shown in center is Michaela Garrett. |
By Natalie De La Garza
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Thirty-seven graduates of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics exiting their May 26 graduation ceremony to the somber “Song of the Lonely Mountain” popularized by the new movie “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” but there was nothing lonely about the reception that followed.
Joyful tears, high-fives, fist-bumps and the traditional mortarboard toss culminated the happy occasion, followed by the departure of students as they returned to their respective homes throughout the state to start the next chapter of their lives.
Though the graduates are leaving what multiple speakers referred to as their MSSM family, recent graduate Molly Masters used a portion of her student address to explain to fellow graduates and attendees how none of the students will ever really leave the MSSM community.
“All of the commitment, perseverance, support and strength that we found here can be brought elsewhere,” she said, “and that way none of us will ever truly leave the MSSM community, because we’re bringing it with us into the world.”
Much to the chuckling delight of audience members, Masters used popular Star Wars characters to describe the persistently supportive nature of her teachers at the magnet school.
“As strange as it sounds, I would like to compare our teachers to Yoda,” she said. “There’s this line where he says ‘Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.’ Parents, trust me — there is nothing more motivational than for a teacher to say that the only option is success, and that’s what happens at our school.”
“But despite the inherent harshness of this message, they never left us alone,” Masters said with appreciation in her voice. “Just like Yoda tested Luke’s patience by consistently banging on his back, literally, our teachers are always there to support us. Every time we needed a hint, guidance, help, an answer — they were there,” she explained. “And every single one of us made it.”
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| Aroostook Republican photo/ Natalie De La Garza Former Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Dale Dintaman was asked to return to the school to give the keynote address during graduation; delivering a speech that was powerful, poignant and sprinkled with puns. Dintaman’s speech even included little practical pieces of advice for every grad, like “never purchase a new college book,” he said. “You can rent, purchase used or borrow — but don’t buy new.” |
Wishing her classmates success in the future, Masters expressed her hopes that they’ll always remember the words of William James when he said “the art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.”
“I think it is essential to know that sometimes, things don’t add up to beautiful equations or perfectly grammatic sentences — something every MSSMer learns hopefully by their senior year is that it is important to ask for help when you need it,” Masters said. “Sometimes, true knowledge is the ability to accept that you don’t know something, and true beauty can be found in those moments.”
Of the staff that touched the students’ hearts and minds includes the school’s former Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Dale Dintaman, who left the school two years ago.
“The very best indication of [Dintaman’s] success in this school is the senior class inviting him today to be their speaker at their graduation,” said MSSM Board Chair Dr. Jerome Pieh, introducing the keynote speaker.
Echoing the appreciative sentiment of the speakers before him, Dintaman praised not only the educators and staff who help the young minds thrive at the magnet school, he highlighted the sacrifices parents make by sending their kids to MSSM.
“It’s not only been a financial sacrifice for you, I also recognize the personal sacrifices one makes — it’s not easy sending off your 14- or 15-year-old son or daughter to school for three or four years,” he said, describing how he himself spent five years away from his wife and sons while working at MSSM. “You have entrusted this quality faculty to provide the finest education and have entrusted the residential staff for the caring safekeeping of your sons and daughters; on behalf of the board, faculty and staff, I thank you for allowing this school the opportunity to educate your [children] and help them grow and to develop into fine young men and women.”
Dintaman offered simple advice — telling grads to not do anything stupid and if they did, don’t send it out to the world by posting it on Facebook with a picture.
“That’s just being doubly stupid,” he said to a laughing audience. “Parents, because your son or daughter may do something stupid, you need to stay involved.”
With a keynote speech that was as entertaining as it was insightful, Dintaman congratulated the students on their accomplishments.
“Your families are extremely proud of you. You are graduating from the 13th best high school in the country, the top high school in Maine, and the third best magnet school in the country — you can’t imagine the sense of relief your parents are experiencing knowing that you have successfully graduated from one of the best high schools in the country,” he said (adding a humorous line as to how this would be the most opportune time for grads to ask their parents for money.)
Dintaman encouraged the students to celebrate their graduation and move on, cautioning them that high school is not the real world.
“From this point forward, time is going to accelerate at a much greater speed; just ask your parents how long ago it was that they were watching you learn how to walk, watched you slide down the hill for the very first time by yourself or put you on the bus for first grade — it was all just a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
He also described how at this point in their lives, graduates have more energy, more enthusiasm, more hair and more brain cells. “Take advantage of this, balance hard work with play, set goals and find your passion,” he encouraged.
“School is ending for you — thank God, so is this speech,” he said. “You’re not entering the real world; have fun in college, but don’t be stupid. Work hard, grow up, take care of your health, surround yourself with positive people — never, ever apologize for being you,” Dintaman emphasized, “and find your passion.”
Concluding the ceremony, MSSM’s Executive Director and fellow MSSM graduate Luke Shorty welcomed the Class of 2013 to the folds of MSSM’s alumni — which was done with the help of all other alumni in attendance with one, resounding clap.
“Don’t think that you’ve left this community now that you’ve graduated,” Shorty said, “You’ve just entered into another community.”
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie De La Garza Applauding the speech given by their classmate Molly Masters during the student address were, from left, Bethany Hartley, Isabelle O’Bryon, Gabriel Fournier, Logan Dixon, Stewart Doe, Emily Franklin and Victoria Morelli. |
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie De La Garza Rachel Olugbemi of Presque Isle receives congratulations from MSSM Executive Director Luke Shorty during the May 26 graduation ceremony. |
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie De La Garza Enjoying each other’s company before parting ways were recent MSSM graduates Madison Rudd, Molly Masters and Emily Franklin. In back, right are Stewart Doe and Wesley Zeng. |
