Ashland graduates told to find their happiness

Ashland graduates told to find their happiness

Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg

    ASHLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL seniors flip their tassels after receiving their diplomas Thursday.

By Kevin Sjoberg

    ASHLAND — The 19 members of the Class of 2012 received a few useful tips Thursday on life after high school from one of the school’s successful alumnae.

BROOKE LaBELLE shows some emotion while delivering the valedictorian’s address at Ashland District School’s graduation ceremony Thursday.	ADRIANNA PARADIS gave the salutatorian’s address Thursday at the Ashland District School’s graduation ceremony.

    Randy Caron, a 1965 graduate who designed Mill No. 2 at Pinkham Lumber Company, later served as manager at both Pinkham and Maine Woods Logging in Portage and now acts as a consultant to lumber mills around the world, gave the commencement address at Ashland District School.

RANDY CARON humored the audience but also had some good advice as he delivered Ashland’s commencement address.

    He first highlighted the importance of being on time.

    Caron then spoke of the value of hard work and dedication to one’s craft.
    “Work is honorable,” he said. “If you go to school, look at your studies as your job, but whether it’s for a two-hour class or a 40-hour work week, spend whatever time it takes to get the job done.”
    He talked about fairness and recalled a time as manager at Pinkham when the work force went on strike and “hung me in effigy.”

MAKAYLA CARNEY received her diploma from Superintendent Gehrig T. Johnson at Thursday’s graduation ceremony at Ashland District School. Carney was one of 19 seniors who marched during the commencement exercises.

    “When you reach a disagreement and you feel someone is not being fair to you, look at their side,” he said. “Listen more than you talk and listen to your heart and conscience … if you do that, you will be successful to yourself.”
    The four-year U.S. Navy veteran said that even though “the military isn’t for everybody, he urged members of the senior class to “acknowledge those who chose that path.”
    “When you meet up with someone who serves or who has served, acknowledge that they have taken care of you,” he said. “Be proud to be an American.”
    He then spoke of the need to keep finances in order. “Don’t spend more than you make,” Caron advised. “If you’re going to make monthly payments, don’t make them to a credit card company.”
    The next pointer was a simple one involving facial expressions. “No matter what you wear, the one thing people are going to notice is your smile,” he said. “So smile – it is your greatest asset.”
    Finally, he advised the 19 students to never forget their roots.

MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR CLASS at Ashland District School listen to last-minute instructions from advisor Shari Ward prior to Thursday’s graduation ceremony.

    “Remember where you came from,” Caron said. “Know that other people who came from this school are successful.
    “There is no better way to set the standard.”
    Earlier in the ceremony, Adrianna Paradis issued the salutatorian’s address and challenged her classmates to “find what makes you happy.”
    “Go to college and major in something that interests you or find a job that makes you excited to wake up every morning,” she said. “Happiness is something that comes from within yourself … you cannot rely on others to make your happiness. It comes from setting a goal, no matter how large or small, and attaining that goal through work and perseverance.”

CLASS MARSHALS Amanda Belanger and Royce MacDonald lead in their class during the processional at Thursday’s graduation ceremony at Ashland District School.

    Valedictorian Brooke LaBelle said she was thankful for the “bond we have created with one another.”
    “It is so hard to believe that we are adults and are about to embark on another amazing journey, but what is even harder to believe is that this time, we will not be together to share our accomplishments and struggles,” LaBelle said. “We will still be connected in a way that no one will ever be able to change. We are the one and only Ashland District School’s Class of 2012.”
    Other parts of the ceremony included the senior class’s version of “The Graduation Song,” a dedication to parents, a video presentation that included photographs through the years of each of the graduates, the presentation of scholarships by guidance counselor Lynwood McHatten, the presentation of special gifts to staff members and teachers and the superintendent’s address.
    Diplomas were awarded by Superintendent Gehrig T. Johnson, school board chair Sheila Lyons and principal Christopher J. Hallett.