28 graduate from Washburn High School on Thursday

5 years ago

WASHBURN, Maine — Twenty-eight students graduated from Washburn High School on Thursday, June 6.

Four students gave speeches, including valedictorian Edwin McLaughlin and salutatorian Noah White.

Two students, Julia Dahlgren and Sydney Chavez, received honors and gave speeches, as well.

Amy White, business instructor for the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center, said that students presented flowers to their parents and teachers as part of the ceremony.

In his salutatorian speech, Noah White encouraged his fellow classmates to take every new opportunity presented to them.

“Whether you are headed to college, or to the workforce, be the best that you can be. Challenge yourself to reach milestones that you didn’t know you could reach. The world is yours for the taking, have initiative and believe in yourself,” he said.

White also received the Mitchell Scholarship, an award established by former Sen. George J. Mitchell in 1995. It awards graduating seniors from Maine’s public high schools a $10,000 scholarship over four years to allocate toward continuing their education.

He concluded his speech with a quote from Michael Jordan, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up, figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.”