Southern Aroostook graduates see bright, shining future

DYER BROOK, Maine — It may have been Friday the 13th, but the graduates of Southern Aroostook Community School see a bright, promising future. As the graduates of the Class of 2014 walked away with diploma in hand, they were embracing a freedom that allows them alone to choose the path their lives will take.
Speaking to her classmates, Valedictorian Brooke Lilley said, “taking that freedom and running without a purpose or a dream will just be running, and probably recklessly. So I encourage my fellow graduates and underclassmen to find a dream and devote yourself to it. For what is the purpose of your life or where you’re going if you have no dream?
“Freedom is truly nothing and pointless without the dream to go with it. The dream itself is up to you to choose,” she added.
Lilley further stated that with every dream comes “a fear of failure or the idea of an overwhelming obstacle.”
She encouraged her classmates not to let temptation or life’s curveballs keep them out of the game.
“I know and have seen that each and every one of you are stronger,” she said. “Nobody said your dream would come easily or without obstacles, but nobody sitting here with me today is not capable of rising above and overcoming them. I’m not going to stand here and list every temptation and tell you why they’re bad, because you already know and have seen their detrimental effects.”
Instead she offered the verse I Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out, so that you can stand up under it.”
“Everybody slips up, but don’t let that one mistake engulf or define you,” she added. “Failure due to temptation is not an option.”
In her closing, Lilley challenged her classmates, “What are you waiting for? The opportunity is present. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring … what is your purpose? What is your dream? Horace, a Latin poet put it simply, ‘Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.’ Translated, ‘seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow.’ Your days are numbered. Don’t leave this world without doing something great. Our time at SACS has prepared us for this. Let’s create a legacy worth leaving.”
Salutatorian Jessica Tucker thanked parents, families, friends, teachers and coaches for the support through the years. To her classmates, she thanked them for their friendship and the experiences they had shared along the way to their graduation day and the hopes of being able to stay in touch.
Tucker added, she was thrilled to transition into the next chapter of her life and encouraged her classmates to be the best they can be.
“Dale Carnegie said, ‘The person who goes furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare!’ Graduates, this is the challenge that lies before us as we enter this new chapter in our lives,” said Tucker. “Dare to be all that we can be. Dare to chase your chosen career, to excel, to go the extra mile, to show compassion, to make your mark in the world, to have empathy. But most importantly, dare to be the best you can be and do it … remember to follow your dreams with your head held high and never lose focus of who you truly are.”
First Honor Essayist Shelby Cummings said she had wanted to make a speech on graduation day since she was in the third grade. Speaking to her classmates, she said that she had learned three important life lessons that would carry her along the path of life.
The first is a quote from Mae West that says “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
“The first time I read this quote was in the very hallways here at Southern Aroostook,” said Cummings. “This has since became a quote for me to live by. What the quote by West made me realize is that in life you can always tell how successful you were or weren’t if when you turn 99 years old and you look back at the mistakes you have made and not only laugh at them, but learn from them as well.
“Live your life with your head held high,” she added. “Don’t run from your mistakes, but instead always laugh at the embarrassing moments and enjoy them rather then be ashamed because what’s done is done and every little detail has shaped you to be the person you are today. And the person you are today is exactly the person God has intended for you to be.”
Her second lesson learned, comes from Albert Einstein who said “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish based on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”
When asking herself what the quote means, diversity came to her mind. Cummings noted she had learned as much from someone young as to someone older as they had from her.
“It may take some people longer to find their strengths than others, but I believe in you now,” she told her classmates. “You just have to believe in yourself.”
The final lesson, she experienced at Southern Aroostook, but learned from the Bible is II Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let others look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
Cummings said, “The people around you will never know what you are thinking or who you really are if you never speak up and get involved … don’t be afraid to go out and try something new.”
“We met as strangers, grew as classmates, and leave as family. There isn’t a better quote to describe our class,” said Mataya Hartin, second honor essayist.
“Unknowingly, [we molded] each other into the people that are sitting in front of you today,” she said. “There is a quote that says ‘friends come and go, but family is forever,’ and I know that our family is forever. When we all go our different ways and embark on our journey in life, we’re all so much a part of each other, that no matter what we do or where we go, we’ll always be together.”
Hartin confidently noted that each of her classmates would be successful in whatever path they choose.
“I do not want any of them to define success by how much money they make, but as what they have done to change the world because I know that all of you will,” she said. “As soon as you show your true self to the world, you will leave a lasting impact on every person you come into contact with. Whether it be with your crazy sense of humor, your creativity and imagination or your kind hearts. You will make an impact. And I know that by talking about the future it makes it feel like we’re saying goodbye, but to repeat a popular expression, we will carry a piece of each other into everything that we do, and it will not only remind us of who we are, but who we’re meant to be … The world is waiting for you and your story is never over, in fact, it’s just beginning.”
The guest speaker of the night was SACS Principal Jon Porter. He told the graduates that each person at Southern Aroostook was “extremely proud” of them and wished them the best of luck. He thanked the parents and staff of SACS, and especially to those who are behind the scenes.
“We have students involved in a variety of clubs and teams, they play in the school band, they are involved with student government. They have made a positive impact on the school and community. I have been fortunate to work with these kids,” Porter said. “Congratulations to the class for their outstanding scholarship, leadership, character, and commitment to service. Isn’t this what we want for our kids when we send them to school? Southern Aroostook teachers and staff for decades have worked extremely hard to instill these qualities and to help prepare our students for life after high school. Success is being a productive citizen, having the skills to go to college, to get a job, or to enter the armed services.”
Porter asked the graduates “What’s the magic formula for success? What’s the predictor of the success? Do you have what it takes?”
Porter went on to tell the graduates that they had an exceptional support system from parents and family to teachers, staff and community.
“You also have grown up in Aroostook County where life is good, but your parents and community have modeled what it takes to be successful when things don’t come easy,” he said.
Quoting psychology researcher Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth from the University of Pennsylvania “One characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. And it wasn’t social intelligence. It wasn’t good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t IQ. It was grit.”
“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day-in, day-out. Not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality,” Porter explained.
“My message to you is to show that determination and grit in life. Be passionate. Life is not easy. You will be tested. It is easy to give up when things are tough. The good things in life are not easy, you have to work for it. There are things in life that are hard, they are supposed to be hard, that makes it so great when you accomplish it.
“Life is a challenge, embrace it,” he added. “Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Find the grit within you to make your dreams come true. When they do, come back and share it. Bring your success, your ideas, your energy, your leadership and commitment to service back to this community. This will always be home.”