STACYVILLE, Maine — For the 24 graduates of Katahdin Middle-High School, Saturday, June 11, 2016 marked the final time the class would be together in the school gymnasium.
With the class motto of “All our dreams come true … If we have the courage to pursue them” displayed prominently overhead, students listened intently as a number of speakers took to the podium to offer words of advice and reflect on the past 13 years.
During her address, Salutatorian Molly Cunningham admitted the four years of high school went by far quicker than she ever imagined.
“At some moments, I’m sure that every one of us has just wanted it to be over,” Cunningham said. “But it’s bittersweet knowing that all of our high school experiences are now only memories and things to hold onto in the future. Never again will we compete as Cougars, perform music, display art or dominate ‘Cougarfest.’ Today we stand here, ready to graduate and move forward.”
She added that there were several things each graduate needed in the years ahead to not only survive, but to thrive. Those included family, faith and friends, grit, initiative, a good sense of humor, compassion, work ethic and integrity.
“I can see these qualities in all of us,” Cunningham said. She then called out the name of each graduate and had them stand with her, while saying a few words about each.
Bradley Mitchell provided the class message and quoted Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel). “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose,” he read. “So always remember to be individual, stay positive and stay humble and kind. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”
Valedictorian Sophie Vetter admitted public speaking was not a passion for her, and that she had put off for several weeks crafting her speech. Vetter took her classmates on a trip down memory lane, recalling the times they were “goofy kids” in middle school and “carefree” freshmen with four long years of high school still to go.
By the time junior year was coming to a close, Vetter, and many of her peers were already looking ahead to their final year at KMHS.
“As juniors, what we did not know was that those 365 days were going to be the quickest ones yet,” she said. “Senior year began and we felt like we had waited our whole lives for it. We started out by thinking that this year was going to be a breeze, because they always said senior year was a blast. Well, it’s not all fun and games. Who knew filling out college applications, scholarships and making decisions that will affect the rest of our lives would be so hard?”
She ended with some words of advice for her peers.
“When we walk out into the real world and into whatever future we have chosen for ourselves, we can say we will make it because we are all capable,” Vetter said. “We have proven that to ourselves every day for the past four years. So when you leave the nest to begin our next adventure, make sure you take a giant leap, spread your wings and soar.”
Once again, KMHS grads continued the tradition of passing out roses to loved ones after receiving their diplomas.
