Special to The Star-Herald
Rainy weather did not dampen the spirits of the 24 graduating seniors at Ashland Central High School’s May 29 commencement exercises at the Bobby Goding Memorial Gymnasium.
As the traditional pomp and circumstance played, the students made their final walk together as high school students and classmates in what will be one of the last graduating classes from the school’s current (building) location.
Salutatorian Andrea Mayo, daughter of Joseph and Kathleen Mayo, opened the evening with her address reflecting over the past 13 years with her classmates. She reminisced about her first day of high school and how her teacher had told the class how quickly their high school years would go by, saying she had thought “this guy has no idea what he’s talking about. It won’t come soon enough”. But now she says, “I stand here giving you this speech, I think back on my years in high school, and how people were not kidding when they said that time goes by faster as you get older. It’s unbelievable how the time has flown right by our faces, and in the blink of an eye we are starting a new chapter in our lives. The past 13 years of school have just been the beginning.”
Mayo shared the “knowledge and wisdom” she had gathered about life over her high school career, and her realization that “everything I have just named off has absolutely nothing to do with school-related subjects. I guess what they say is true, that you really do learn everything you need to know about life in kindergarten!” This was received with howling laughter by her classmates and the crowd.
In closing, Mayo encouraged her fellow graduates to chase their dreams, no matter how “cliché” it sounds. Adding that “life is too short to be stuck doing something you don’t want to be doing.” Mayo does know what she is talking about in ‘chasing your dreams.’ As a highly competitive biathlete, she has bravely chosen to forgo a “conventional” formal education in pursuit of competing at an international level with aspirations of eventually holding a position on the US Biathlon Team in Olympic competitions.
Graduate Connie Hammond sang a beautiful rendition of the Carrie Underwood favorite “Don’t Forget To Remember Me”. Her eyes tearing up with the sentimental lyrics, Hammond performed the song flawlessly to rousing applause.
Valedictorian Stephen Philbrook, son of Kurt and Karen Philbrook, delivered his address to his classmates thanking them for “thirteen unforgettable years”. He encouraged his classmates to be “of strong character” telling them “your character defines who you are. People of strong character won’t buckle under pressure. It (strong character) can withstand criticism. Your character will decide whether you can effectively achieve your goals and how you deal with people. We also need people who have a clear vision and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.”
Politically inspired, Philbrook spoke of the importance of having “good leadership” and of “change” telling his classmates “Don’t expect things to get better if you sit on the sidelines and don’t get in the game. The first step in change is deciding you are unhappy with your current situation.” Encouraging the listeners to “write a letter, run for office, or just live your life in a positive way.” Quoting Mohandas Gandhi he wisely advised “we must be the change we want to see in the world.”.
In closing, Philbrook told his classmates “each of us has a choice and the power” to make our own decisions and to “change not only our country but the world.” He will be attending the University of Maine in the fall to study mechanical engineering.
The ‘Dedication to the Parents’ is a portion of the evening where the parents of the graduates are asked to get up from their seats to either side of the gymnasium where they are presented with a long-stemmed rose, and their child for a celebratory embrace. There were not many dry eyes as the proud parents saw their children, now as adults officially beginning the adventure of their own lives.
Keeping on the emotional journey, the students created a video presentation documenting their lives together as classmates and individually. It was a nostalgic moment for many, including the students, seeing photos of their lives to this point, with family and friends, and realizing, may be for the first time, just as Salutatorian Mayo noted in her address, how quickly the years have really gone by.
Director of Guidance, Lynwood McHatten then presented approximately $101,000 worth of scholarships to the 19 graduates who plan to pursue post secondary study. Valedictorian Philbrook most notably received two four-year scholarships. One being a full tuition scholarship to UMO, and the other from the George Mitchell Institute. Though the audience was asked to hold their applause until all scholarships were announced and received, the crowd could not contain themselves when Philbrook’s scholarships were announced.
The ACHS Class of 2009 then gifted several people whom they deemed “important factors” in their high school years. Mr. McHatten, Principal Robert Hennessey, teacher and senior class advisor Joel Hall, and high school secretary Carol Cote were the rightful recipients of appreciation.
Superintendent Dr. Gehrig Johnson’s address to the graduating class encouraged them to pursue their life’s ambition, noting the importance of “self confidence” and how having confidence and believing in oneself, will help them in all phases of their lives.
The festivities closed in the Presentation of Diplomas. Principal Hennessey, Dr. Johnson and Mrs. Sheila Lyons, Board chair, presented the diplomas to the beaming students.
The pride the graduates felt could be seen on their faces as each took their diplomas knowing their years of hard work had finally paid off.
After the ceremony students, family and friends gathered for congratulations and photos. Once things settled down, and the last of the families left, the students then gathered to board a bus to Six Flags in Massachusetts for their ‘Project Grad’ celebrations and to spend one last weekend together as the Ashland Central High School’s Class of 2009. Congratulations graduates. May all of your hopes and dreams for your futures be realized.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
SALUTATORIAN ANDREA MAYO gave her final address to her fellow graduates May 29 as Ashland Community Middle-High School held its commencement exercises in the school gymnasium.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
VALEDICTORIAN STEPHEN PHILBROOK, in addressing his classmates, advised them to be of “strong character.” Ashland Community Middle-High School held its commencement exercises May 29.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
PROUD PARENTS Bill and Sheila Nemer pose with their son, Carl, following Ashland Community Middle-High School’s May 29 graduation ceremony.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
LISTENING INTENTLY to their Valedictorian’s address at Ashland Community Middle-High School’s graduation ceremony May 29 are, from left: Suzanne Poulin, Autumn Condon, Andrea Mayo and Jackie D’Ozier.
