Hodgdon Middle High School’s Class of 2026 graduated on Friday night.
The 23 graduating seniors shared stories of their nearly 14 years together and, in the words of first honor essayist Joseph David Scott, because of their connection, he has the ability and confidence to achieve his goals.
“Probably everyone here has had at least one person in their lives who has also believed in them and encouraged them to do more, to do better,” he said in his address. “And because of that support every single one of us is capable of turning our dreams into reality.”
He wondered if he will be successful and have the job of his dreams.
“Maybe not, but I know I can if I really want to and am willing to work hard to get there,” Scott said. “Success is not reserved for a slight few. It’s built by showing up, having a plan and working hard to execute that plan to accomplish goals.”
Scott challenged his classmates to set goals that matter and work hard to achieve them. Success may not come overnight and may not look exactly as they imagined, he said.
“But if we stay committed and determined there is no limit to what we can accomplish,” he said. “If someone like me can stand here today then everyone of us is capable of more than we realize.”
Superintendent Tyler Putnam read a letter to the students from English teacher Lee-Rae Oliver, who was unable to attend the ceremony.
“It has been said that character is how you act when no one is watching,” she wrote.
“In the time that I have known you in your high school career, you treated our classroom as a workplace, you made an effort to show up to class, you have been respectful and kind to me as well as to your peers,” Oliver wrote. “This is proof of your maturity, workplace readiness and commendable character.”
The teacher recounted several memories of the graduating class. During their sophomore year they put on dancing and jumping shows for the elementary grades and Madigan Estate residents. The following year, they added hula hooping to the show, she said.
On more than one occasion Oliver heard the students say to each other, “I’ve got you,” she said.
“These words can be life-changing for someone,” she said.
For Putnam, the Class of 2026 was the last class he had as a fifth grade teacher.
“One way you could say, ‘I knew at the end of the year I could never have a better group to teach. I might as well go out on top and retire from the classroom,’” he said. “Or, you could look at it in a more realistic way, ‘ This was the class that ended my teaching career.’”
Life can be a challenge, he said.
“You’ll find your back against the wall and you’ll be stressed, worried and unsure about what decision to make,” he said. “My advice: lean into it, don’t run, don’t avoid facing it. Understand that all of us will or have gone through similar challenges and those that recognize it and are motivated to help themselves will find success.”
