Hawks soar one final time

Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
ALL SMILES — The smile on the face of Hodgdon’s Kerriann Estabrook says it all. Hodgdon High School graduated 37 seniors Friday evening.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HODGDON — Thirty-seven students said good-bye to Hodgdon High School Friday evening during an emotional and at times light-hearted, ceremony, highlighted by the spraying of confetti into the air at the program’s closing.
    Students marched into the packed gymnasium to the chords of “Pomp and Circumstance” and led by Class Marshal and valedictorian Sydney Bradshaw.
    Hodgdon High School Principal Clark Rafford also announced that the All-Around Schoolboy and Schoolgirl awards were presented to Philip Lycette and Amanda Ryan. Chosen by the staff at Hodgdon High School, the award is based on the culmination of their years at Hodgdon High School.
    The class motto for their graduation ceremony was “If you can dream it, you can do it,” by Walt Disney. That theme continued in the speeches set forth by the honor part recipients.
    In her speech, Salutatorian Amanda Ryan took a trip down memory lane with her classmates as she turned away from the audience to address those seated behind her.
    “Remember all the silly fights, the boys we had crushes on and the friendships made,” she said. “It all makes you who you are. These years have been the building blocks of your life and after today, we start a new page. I may not have gotten to know some of you very well, and some of us never got along at all, but I hope you know that I’m proud of everyone on this stage.”
    Turning to the audience, Ryan then spoke of her family bonds and how they have shaped her into the person she is today. She also offered the following advice to her classmates.
    “Everybody dies, but not everybody lives,” she said, “Remember this as you live your life. You walk through life and just exist every day, or you can live every day.”
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
ADJUSTMENT — Hodgdon Principal Clark Rafford, right, adjusts the sash of Zane Welton.
    Third Honor Essayist Daniel Heinrichs gave a comical speech as he recounted his time at the school.
    “The last four years have been truly special,” he said. “We’ve all learned valuable things, not just math and science, but how to work with others. We’ve made lasting friendships that hopefully are never forgotten. Most of all, and most importantly, we’ve had fun and that’s the thing we’ll remember the most.”
    The chorus then performed the musical selection “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” before Second Honor Essayist Kerriann Estabrook took the stage.
    “I see our high school education as a stop along the way,” Estabrook said. “We have been at the stop and now it’s time to go. Where will your next stop be? I hope you make your time on earth worthwhile. After all, we have one chance at this thing, so take each step cautiously towards your next stop. And remember, as stated in Philippians 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Christ, which strengthen me.’”
    First Honor Essayist Philip Lycette introduced the class slide show, which suffered from a couple of technical glitches, but still managed to show how the Class of 2011 grew from the youngsters they were to the young adults they have become.
    In her speech, Bradshaw spoke of her respect for her peers.
    “My fellow classmates are among the most opinionated and strong-willed people you will ever meet,” she said. “Each has a unique personality and quirk. I ask you all to step out of these doors today with a smile. A smile that you are not afraid to share. I want you all to leave here a more courageous person, a bolder person, and a happier person. It’s our turn, as the graduating Class of 2011, to take on the world. Let’s show them what we’re made of.”
    Superintendent Robert McDaniel continued his tradition of keeping the mood light. He said he asked Daniel Heinrichs to help him write a speech at the start of the school year, and kept asking the student how he was progressing, since he had not seen a copy of the speech.
    As graduation time approached, McDaniel said he had to prepare his own notes.
    “Maybe next year, I will get somebody else to write some notes down for me,” he said. “None of you are here tonight because you did it all by yourself. You all had help. On the road of life, you have to find some friends you trust when times are tough.”
    He offered these simple words of advice to the graduating class, “Don’t go it alone.”
    “Life can be very difficult at times and you need to find people who will be there to support you,” he said. “When you find those people, keep them around, because those are the true friends.”
    McDaniel then quoted Jesse Jackson when he stated, “Never look down on anybody unless you are helping them up.”