HOULTON, Maine — It was a time for smiles, cheers and a few tears Thursday evening as 73 seniors of Houlton High School bid fond farewell to their peers in an emotional ceremony at the Millar Civic Center.
After class marshal Natalie Rush led the students into the arena, senior class president Caliegh Sullivan welcomed the nearly 2,000 people who attended the ceremony.
“Fellow graduates, here’s to all the places we went and all the places we will go,” Sullivan said. “When thinking about life, remember this … we’re not put on this earth to live perfect lives; lives in which we never get hurt and never make mistakes. We’re here to hurl ourselves headfirst into this crazy world. Life is about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. So, my friends, leap into this world and create yourselves. Follow your dreams and may your path always lead you to success and happiness.”
Salutatorian Noah Holmes reminded his peers to look back at their time in high school with fond reverence and to remember the many wonderful memories made during their time at Houlton Middle-High School.
“As I’ve walked down the halls, sat on the senior bench, and been in the classroom, I have heard many students say, ‘I can’t wait to leave this school and go to college.’” Holmes said. “We envision grade school as a confining prison that we, as teenagers, are coerced into attending. We overemphasize high school as torture with early mornings, rigorous homework, stringent rules, frivolous drama, and cafeteria food in our effort to erase these memories from our minds. However, we are in a hurry to go nowhere. Ironically, even after we turn our tassels to the left, there will be early mornings, we will do rigorous work, people will enforce various rules, others will instigate drama, and, inevitably, we will eat cafeteria food. High school should not be detested, but rather, relished as an unforgettable time in our lives.”
Principal Marty Bouchard gave special recognition to Dustin Hines, on his selection as a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student.
Valedictorian Emily Mooers gave a thoughtful, and emotional, speech to her peers as she recalled how the inspiration for her address came to her.
“As some of you may now, I as well as some others in this room, lost a family member this past winter,” Mooers said. “Hannah Mooers’ (Emily’s cousin) vibrance and consideration for others touched the lives of many and as I gazed around at a family gathering held in her memory, I quickly realized I had found the topic for my speech.”
Mooers used the topic of family, whether it be blood relatives or the family of friends one makes in school, as being the anchors who can keep people grounded as they go through life.
“Cherish the friendships you have established in high school and strive to make larger connections,” she said. “Emulate the community members of Houlton who have been our positive role models and staunch supporters since the beginning.”
First Honor Essayist Keegan Fitzpatrick introduced the evening’s commencement speaker, James Castner, a history teacher and varsity baseball coach at the school.
“I’ve encountered many teachers during my academic journey, but few compare to Mr. Castner,” Fitzpatrick said. “Although I had him for only one semester, I witnessed his passion for his subject and his complete commitment to his students.”
Castner challenged the graduating class to step outside of their comfort zone as they embark on the next phase of their lives.
“Alexander the Great stated ‘there is nothing impossible to him who will try,’” Castner said. “I implore you to continue this. It has been my pleasure on a daily basis to see you try things you are not comfortable with. It is your willingness to try that will benefit you the most.”
He challenged the class to do was when they leave HHS to “be a leader of character and moral value.”
