MADAWASKA, Maine — Family, friends and faculty packed into the Madawaska High School gymnasium on Thursday night as 30 seniors graduated from the high school.
The 7 p.m. ceremony opened with a performance of the national anthem from Brianna Bois and an invocation from Deacon Donald Clavette.
Class President Carter Gagnon welcomed guests to the ceremony.
“Today is a day of celebration, reflection and gratitude,” he said. “On behalf of the Class of 2025, I want to thank all of you — our families, friends, teachers and community members for the support and guidance that have shaped us into who we are today.”
Graduating seniors Payton Pelletier and Jack Girard delivered speeches to the guests. Pelletier said the path to graduation was not easy, and that she looked forward to the future for herself and fellow graduates.
“I know we will all do well in our future adventures, whether that’s college, trade school, going into the military or workforce, or even taking time to figure it all out,” Pelletier said. “I am so proud, and I am going to miss my classmates, but I will never forget the memories we made along the way.”
Girard, reflecting on the time he and his classmates spent together, said that their perseverance helped get them to this point.
“We fell down. We got back up. We survived,” he said. “Even with half-credit on tests, bad lunch days, and when we got our hearts broken, we learned that effort doesn’t always equal reward.”
He asked fellow graduates to stay humble and present as they move onto adulthood.
“We’ve made it through more than just textbooks and tests,” he said. “We’ve made it through years of becoming, of trying, of failing better each time. And now, we get to begin again.”
Payton Pelletier and Janelle Moore presented a slideshow, and awards were presented. Superintendent Benjamin Sirois and Principal Wayne Anderson presented diplomas, and Science Teacher Sarah Raymond and Gagnon delivered closing remarks to cap off the ceremony.
