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| Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott 2012 Caribou High School graduate Renee Dube, holds on tight to her friends following the June 17 commencement ceremonies. |
By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Led by Class Marshals Annie Collins and Joshua Kovach, members of the graduating Class of 2012 at Caribou High School, entered into the gymnasium one last time as a student body, on June 17, marching to the resounding strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the CHS Band.
Camera flashes competed with smiles and a few tears were pushed aside, as family members and friends proudly searched for “their graduate” among the 111 cap-and-gowned young men and women making their way to their assigned seats.
“As each student is recognized I pray that your mighty hands protects them in all of their future endeavors,” asked graduate Cory Marrett, as she presented the commencement ceremony Invocation. “In 1943, a similar graduation ceremony took place at the old Caribou High School. Gordon Anderson, my grandfather, was salutatorian of his class,” said Elsa Thibodeau, as she delivered the Class of 2012 Salutatorian address. “At the time, he didn’t know what life would bring him. He went on to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and ended up becoming a commander in the Navy,” said Thibodeau.
“My grandfather took risks in his life, most of his hobbies included risk, he never knew for certain what was coming next, which is extremely similar to the sentiments of many people in the audience today. I’m referring to my classmates and I. We have no clue what the future will bring. We can either choose to shy away from challenges, or face them head on. I hope that today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year and for the rest of our lives, we face challenges with a positive attitude and know that a problem can always, always be solved,” she added.
“I hope that as we open the doors and say goodbye to CHS,” said the 2012 CHS Salutatorian, “you all fulfill your dreams and live your lives the way you want to.” Ending with a Henry David Thoreau quote, Thibodeau said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
Following a vocal selection by the CHS Senior Chorus, Paige Small, president of the Class of 2012 addressed the graduates. “Today is a day of celebration — a day to celebrate all of the hard work that got us to this place — to thank those people who nurtured us, taught us, held our hands and dried our tears. Today is a day of reflection.”
As Small continued her remarks, encouraging the graduates to work hard, to take risks and be honorable, she stated, “As I look to you seated before me, I see your faces and they tell me many things. I see that life does not owe us anything; as a matter of fact, I think that we owe something to the world. Not only looking for the opportunities we need to seek, but to take every opportunity to laugh, to see the enchantment in the world, to live and to love — to do good and to give back.”
“Now graduates, we come to a rite of passage,” stated Sarae Sager, 2012 Class valedictorian. “No one will be there to push you but yourself. Have confidence. Have faith, have courage to be the very best you can be. Mr. Alden often reminds his athletes before competitions that, ‘we cannot stand in awe of others.’ We work just as hard, but it’s the courage of the heart that makes a champion. And if you think you can, you’re right. And well — we just won’t accept ‘I can’t as a possibility.’”
“You’ll have to be willing to control your own life, to direct yourself down the best path for you, and always remember that happiness is the journey — not the destination,” said Sager. “Someone once asked me what advice I would give to an incoming freshman,” continued the Salutatorian. “I would tell them to ask questions, make mistakes and to actually do the work correctly. To be patient and kind, to laugh and smile. I would tell them to speak with clear intentions, speak calmly and respectfully, even when they get frustrated. Know when to work and when to play. Know when enough is enough, and to always remember that honestly is the only policy.”
As she neared the completion of her valedicotry address, Sager, struggling to keep her voice steady. stated, “It’s our time now, to make a difference, to rejoice in our accomplishments and strive for a wonderful future. Give yourself the chance to shine and be the best you can be. That is my challenge to you, Class of 2012. You are all amazing people that I am proud to say I’ve shared by childhood with,” she said.
Following brief remarks to the Caribou High School Class of 2012 by RSU 39 Superintendent of Schools Frank McElwain, the graduates rose to be awarded their high school diplomas. Presenting the diplomas were McElwain: Mark Jones, CHS principal; Lynn McNeal, RSU 39 school board member; and David Wakana, CHS assistant principal.
Presenting the Benediction, Annie Collins asked, “Give us confidence, courage, faith and true happiness and guide us to make good decisions, to obtain our highest goals and achieve our dreams. May we be grateful for the blessings we have already received. Watch over us and keep us safe as we go our separate ways.”
Caribou High School Class of 2012 students named to the top 10 honor parts for their academic achievements, in order from 1 to 10 included: Kjetil Rossignol, Jin Sun Thomas, Demarre Doody-Corriveau, Paige Small, Katrina McPherson, Dustin Boucher, Marc Sturzl, Annie Collins, Sarah Plourde and Nicholas Dobson.
