WOODLAND, Maine — Eleven eighth-graders graduated the Woodland Community School on June 13, during a ceremony filled with tradition and community pride.
Valedictorian Makenzie Conroy spoke of the close-knit class during her speech, describing the night as bittersweet.
“As much as the boys hate to admit it, we are each other’s second family. We fight like siblings, we laugh like siblings, we play like siblings, we love like siblings,” she said. “I will miss seeing you all every day, but I hope we will all keep in touch when we start high school.”
Highlighting a couple of the memories shared by the graduating eighth-graders, Candace Lane presented the class history; she recalled when Mrs. Jennifer Landeen’s water broke while reading Junie B. Jones in first grade, how the class ate a lot of pizza in Mrs. Sandy Swan’s sixth-grade class, and how eighth-grade teacher Mrs. Jessica Smith “didn’t treat us just like students, she also treated us like friends.”
While the eighth-graders were celebrated for their accomplishments, the class had many thanks for the parents and community that raised them.
“I would like to thank all the people who had a hand in our lives over the years,” said Adia Greer in her welcome address. “Our parents who drove us to practices and games, concerts and class trips. Our teachers who had to try to calm us down after news of any kind. Lastly, thanks to each other for the many memories we have created over the years,” she added, thanking music teacher Jennifer Holmes and the band for performing during graduation, and congratulating their eighth-grade teacher, “for succeeding in the task of getting us ready for graduation.”
Graduates were Scott Bray, Sarae Greenier, Lane Moir, Cameron Doody, Carter Moir, Destiny Skidgel, Adia Greer, Makenzie Conroy, Candace Lane, Callee McBreairty and Rachel Ring.
During her valedictory speech, Conroy had a parting message to her fellow graduates.
“We have made it through. Somehow.” she said. “It has felt like a lifetime, but we still have more to go. Remember, although we may feel like it, we are not adult, we are still children growing up in a generation with more opportunities than ever,” she added. “Live like it was your last day, but make wise choices. Say and do things while in mind that somewhere, there is a younger child, maybe your sibling, who is looking up to you,” Conroy cautioned. “Think of what they would think if they saw you doing or hear you saying what you are. Keep this in mind all through high school and hopefully college.”
Class Will
Among the traditions featured at Woodland’s graduation is the Class Will, which was presented by Destiny Skidgel and Lane Moir.
Scott Bray will be passing down his tallness to Zakk Tracy, Sarae Greenier will pass down her running skills to Maren Moir, Lane Moir will pass down his wheelie skills to Wyatt Tagget, Cameron Doody will pass down his baseball skills to Ghent Durepo, Carter Moir will pass down his basketball skills to Tyler Melott, Destiny Skidgel will pass down her pitching skills to Julia Dahlgren, Adia Greer will pass down her singing skills to Hollie McDougal, Makenzie Conroy will pass down her blonde moments to Monica McLaughlin, Candace Lane passes down her addiction of American Horror Stories to Zoey Jones, Callee McBreairty passes down her ability to eat a lot of food to Mckenzie Rossignol, and Rachel Ring passes down her creativity skills to Michael Hayes.
