Commencement activities for Easton’s Class of 2009 began on Sunday, May 31, 2009 with baccalaureate services conducted by the local clergy at Easton Wesleyan Church at 6 p.m.
Participating Pastors were Rev. Carlos DeCruz – Pine Tree Baptist Church, Rev. Matthew Maxwell, Pastor Vaughn Martin and Pastor Jason Rooney – Easton Wesleyan Church, Rev. Andy DeRier and Pastor Andy Shaw from the Easton Pentecostal Church, Rev. John Leber from the Easton United Baptist Church and Rev R. Daniel Blevins from the United Methodist Church. Rev. R. Daniel Blevins gave the Baccalaureate address.
Class Night was held at Easton Jr/Sr High School on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 7 p.m. Senior Marshal Katrina Martin and Megan Bradley escorted all four classes into the gymnasium. Accompanist Lorena Sullivan provided the “Pomp and Circumstance.” Class President remarks were made by Holden Turner (Class of ‘12), Sydney Trask (Class of ‘11), and Luke Budreau (Class of ‘10). The class will was presented by Sean Daniels and class gifts were given by Tony Brown and Ariana Myshrall. Class history was presented by C.J. Beaton, M. Bradley, Kacie Getchell and Tim Langlais. FFA Advisor Kevin Marquis presented the DeKalb Award to Tony Brown.
The faculty made presentations to students who achieved the highest level of proficiency across the curriculum. First year Letter and Lyre pin were presented to Martin and Jessica Monson. A second year Treble Clef pin was presented to Getchell. The Chorus award was presented to Monson and the band award recipient was Martin. Mrs. Polly Burnett presented the Tech Prep English to Langlais.
Mr. Darren West presented Social Studies awards to Bradley Trask for American Government, B. Trask for Street Law and Martin for Psychology. Mr. Darren West also recognized the following members of the student council with certificates; President B. Trask, Vice President Corey White, Secretary M. Bradley, Treasurer Samuel Bacon, Jonah Bacon, Reid Clark, Holden Turner, Samantha Fuller, Luke Budreau, Luke Fuller, Zachary Clark and Sydney Trask.
Mr. Paul Sutherland presented math awards to Martin for advanced math, physics and math team.
Mr. Bryan Wright presented the following science awards; Computer applications to Langlais and human biology to B. Trask. Mrs. Mary Ruth Nichols awarded a medal for French IV to Martin. The Life Time Sports Award was presented to Bacon.
On behalf of Mrs. Melissa Smith, Mrs. Georgette Ireland presented the British literature award to Martin.
Miss Pamela Murchison presented the following business education awards: desktop publishing to Martin and Accounting II to Beaulieu. Martin received the Yearbook Editor award.
Ms. Jane Hutchison presented the Art III award to Kacie Getchell.
Principal Georgette Ireland presented the Maine Principals’ Award to Martin. May/June Student of the Month was presented to Langlais. Brown was awarded the Albert G. Wright Scholarship. The Willis A. McPherson Award was presented to Myshrall. M. Bradley received the Outstanding School Citizen Award. The National Scholar/Athlete Award from the U.S. Army Reserve was presented to Martin and B. Trask. Martin and B. Trask received the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award. Katrina Martin received the Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence. Bacon and Sean Daniels received the Distinguished Athlete Award.
On Friday, June 5, 2009 at 7 p.m., fourteen seniors were awarded diplomas at the Easton Jr/Sr High School Graduation.
Senior Class President Samuel Bacon gave the welcome. The Second Honor Essay was delivered by Kilynne Beaulieu, who opened the evening with a Langston Hughes quote. “Hold fast to dreams, for it dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams, for when dreams go, life is a barren field frozen with snow.” Beaulieu encouraged her classmates to “always create more dreams whenever one is broken … You can create a sense of hope,” she explained, “to strive harder to reach your goals and achieve your dreams.”
First Honor Essay was delivered by Bacon, who focused his time on the class motto: “Focus on the journey, not the destination”. Bacon reminded Easton’s Class of 2009 to “know where you are going,” and to work hard at those defined goals. “I believe you can accomplish whatever goal you set,” concluded Bacon. “I have seen you all in action, and you can do it. No one is out there waiting to do it for you. It is up to you and you have the tools to get the job done.”
Following Bacon, Bradley Trask delivered the Salutatory Address and reflected over the past 13 years the class had spent together. “It seems like just yesterday we were all excited to get up and go to school in the morning and then disappointed to leave,” Trask began, listing five essential lessons he believe the Class of 2009 had learned. Trask reminded his classmates that compromise is the best solution and your goals and your dreams can come true if you have full confidence in yourself. He cautioned them to expect the unexpected and that even the worst tragedies can lead to great opportunities, using classmate Sean Daniels as an example. “[Sean’s] ability to overcome his accident and accomplish his goals is amazing … Sean,” Trask concluded, “you are an inspiration to all.” Trask’s final point, enjoy the people around you, pointed out the benefits of getting along and having fun with others along the journey.
Katrina Martin delivered the Valedictorian address, deciding, after much deliberation, to focus her time at the podium on “Lessons Learned from Making Cookies”. In seven simple lessons such as “Share”, “Take risks”, and, “If you make a mess, clean it up,” Martin inspired her classmates to take on the future before them with zeal and certainty, and used past educational experiences to summarize her points. Martin’s final point best explains where the Valedictorian was headed in her speech. “Don’t take life to seriously,” she began. “Do not be afraid to fail, do not be afraid to make messes, do not be afraid to try … Your hard work will pay off – do not wear yourself out before you are done.” And, with that, Martin, along with Principal Ireland, brought out a tray of cookies adequately prepared for her classmates to munch on post-graduation.
The chorus, under the direction of Pamela Kinsey, presented musical selections. Parents of the students earning Honor Parts, were invited to join their sons and daughters on stage to receive their respective awards.
Scholarships totaling $135,650 were awarded to Easton Jr/Sr High School Seniors. A slide show, “Now and Then” and “Future Plans” was presented by the Class of 2009.
Diplomas were presented to the Class of ‘09 by School Board Chairman Gaylen Flewelling, Superintendent Frank Keenan and Principal Georgette Ireland.
Congradulations to Easton’s Class of 2009.
REPRESENTING THE LADIES of Easton’s 2009 graduating class are, in front, from left: Ariana Myshrall, Kilynne Beaulieu and Katrina Martin.
Staff photo/Abigail HuntASSUMING HIS SIGNATURE POSE is Easton’s Sean Daniels with classmates behind him, from left: Steve Straight, Samuel Bacon, Timothy Langlais, Bradley Trask, Anthony Brown and C.J. Beaton.
