CARIBOU, Maine — Eighty-seven Caribou High School students became alumni during Sunday’s graduation ceremony, concluding one chapter of their lives and beginning another.
As the graduates go forward, valedictorian Emilee Sioris encouraged them to be who they want to be.
In a short but poignant valedictory address, Sirois outlined how the graduates’ family and friends have impact and shaped the graduates lives for the past 18 years. “Thanks to our mentors in life, we now have the foundations of our personalities,” she said.
But Sirois quickly noted that now, the graduates “have to determine who we are for ourselves.”
“Don’t change yourself to be who others want you to be, but change to be who you want to be,” she encouraged. “Be independent. Make these decisions for yourself, and not for anyone else.”
Principal Mark Jones ceremoniously presented Sirois with the Valedictorian Award and Clara Collins with the Salutatorian Award, but he acknowledge the work and dedication of all graduates.
“Every student graduating here today has had many challenges and overcome countless obstacles,” he said.
In her salutatory address, Collins encouraged her peers to thank the teachers, family, friends and community members who supported them and taught them valuable lessons during their 13 years of public education. She also acknowledged that many graduates may find themselves asking what they’ve learned, who they are, and what comes next.
“Oftentimes, while growing up, we did not realize the valuable lessons that we were taught by those we came into contact until months or even years later. In fact, it may be many more months or years before we realize that full value of the lessons learned in our last 18 years of life,” Collins said, adding that it’s necessary for graduates to transfer their knowledge and lessons from school into the new situations they will encounter in the real world.
“Although when we walk out these doors this afternoon, we may not have all the skills necessary to be perfect, we are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful,” she assured, encouraging her fellow students to keep growing and to be kind.
“Of all the lessons we have learned, the challenges we have faced and the experiences we have had, if we can transfer the knowledge we have gained, continue to grow from our experiences and always be kind, we will be successful,” Collins concluded, congratulating her classmates.
Superintendent of the RSU 39 Frank McElwain shared excerpts from the poem “Anyway” by Mother Theresa.
“‘Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway,’” the poem concluded.
“Graduates of the Class of 2014, your family, friends and teachers are here today to celebrate your accomplishment of graduating from high school. We all anxiously anticipate your future as you give the world your best,” the retiring superintendent said.
Concluding the commencement ceremony, Class President Courtney Sheldon led the audience in a prayer.
“Heavenly father, we thank you for bringing us all here together safely and united as one to celebrate our 12 years of success and our trained mission to our future. We thank you for your mercy and your strength you give us; guide us in the way we should go,” she prayed, “in Jesus’ name.”
