By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
NEW SWEDEN — Eight students graduated from the New Sweden School on June 5 and will attend the Caribou High School next year.
Contributed photo by Ernie Easter
New Sweden Class of 2012 includes, from left, front row: salutatorian Tsion MacLeod, Emily Martin, Kylie Haines and Devon Chamberland. Back row: third honor part Andrew Christie, Kevin Bither, valedictorian Lukas Lagasse and Sean Tirrell. Please turn to page 10 for additional Caribou graduation photos.
Graduation opened with a slide show featuring memories of each graduate during various points of his or her life and concluded with the playing of their class song, “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts.
Asked to be the guest speaker at graduation, New Sweden Ed Tech Alexandra Lord encouraged the graduates to set goals for themselves and strive to attain those goals “no matter how small they are or how large they are, if you’re ambitious,” she said.
“You are part of us and now we have to let you go,” Lord told the graduates. “We will miss you greatly, but we will always be right around the corner.”
She also urged the graduates to be true to their own ideals, always show compassion to others and do their best at all times.
Lukas Lagasse was this year’s valedictorian and fondly described the friendships the Class of 2012 has formed over the years.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet From left, Rep. Bernard Ayotte and State Sen. Troy Jackson presented Lukas Lagasse, class validictorian, with the Secretary of State’s Citizenship Award. |
“I often ask my grandmother about her memories growing up and she talks about the fun she had with her friends. When I have a child or even a grandchild and they ask me what my friends were like, I know I would describe them like this,” he said, and proceeded to describe the a few of the positive attributes each member of the class possesses.
“No matter where I go in life, I will be proud to say I went to New Sweden School,” Lagasse said in his valedictory address. “All the teachers are wonderful, I have great memories of all of you. All the support that you each give has helped me so much along the way. I hope my friends feel the same way I do,” he added. “New Sweden is my home, and home is where you come back to.”
Toward the end of the presentation, Lagasse was surprised with the presentation of the Secretary of State’s Eighth Grade Citizenship Award, presented by Sen. Troy Jackson and Rep. Bernard Ayotte.
“Today’s recipient of the 2012 Secretary of State’s Eighth Grade Citizenship Award for the New Sweden Consolidated School is very deserving of this recognition,” Sen. Jackson said, listing Lagasse’s academic accomplishments and citing his volunteerism to raise money for Toys for Tots this past winter.
Rep. Ayotte told Lagasse that he is an honor to his community and country, and congratulated his parents and teachers.
Lagasse helped open the graduation by playing the National Anthem on his clarinet with Kylie Haines, Class Marshal, played the melody along with him on her trumpet.
Haines also co-delivered the class will with the help of Devon Chamberland.
Every graduate had an important role in the ceremony. Aside from Lagasse, Haines and Chamberland, Tsion MacLeod presented his salutatory address, Emily Martin was the mistress of ceremonies, Kevin Bither gave the class prophecy, Sean Tirrell and Andrew Christie presented the class gifts and Christie was also selected to write the honor essay.
“In years ahead we will use what we learned here to get good jobs and be happy,” Christie said, and described the year’s events that culminated with their graduation.
New Sweden’s graduating Class of 2012 has certainly made an impact on the school, its students and staff.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet Salutatorian Tsion MacLeod addressed the audience during the graduation ceremony. |
Principal Laurie Spooner even kept her speech short because, as she explained “If I spoke too long, I’d need some of those tissues Andrew put in the podium for me.”
While the students will head off to high school in the fall, their roots are firmly planted in New Sweden’s community and culture.
“I wish you all the best of luck next year in high school as you pave the way to college,” Lagasse told his fellow graduates. “See you there.”
