Presque Isle graduates told ‘Go make your life happen’
By Jennifer Buzza
Special to The Star-Herald
The Presque Isle High School gymnasium was packed June 12 as 125 seniors marched in to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the PIHS concert band, directed by Dan Schneider.
The ceremony began with the playing of the National Anthem, also by the PIHS concert band, followed by a welcome by Kelsey Gilson, president of the Class of 2015. Also taking to the podium for some brief thoughts as he celebrated his final graduation ceremony as superintendent was Dr. Gehrig Johnson.
Seniors Jordan Buckley, Cheyanne Sawyer and Brenden Goulet entertained the audience with a touching rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Whenever You Remember” for their classmates, accompanied by Sherri Calhoun. The song was a tribute to the highly competitive class which won five out of their last six pep rally competitions and was named Winter Carnival winner their junior and senior years.
After thanking all those who helped the Class of 2015 reach this milestone, class speaker Joseph Patenaude reminded his fellow seniors that “High school was hard … it’s supposed to be” and that “High school has taught us how to act in the real world. We’ve learned to get along with people we don’t like, work in groups or work alone, it’s taught us that some work we will love and some we will hate, but we have to do it all the same.”
Patenaude quoted the late Steve Jobs: “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes, the one who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” He concluded, “Good luck, you misfits!”
Prior to the keynote address, the Presque Isle High School chorus, under the direction of Jay Nelson, accompanied by Sherri Calhoun, performed “Omnia Sol,” which is Latin for “Let your heart be staid.” This was Nelson’s last public performance as chorus instructor for PIHS, as he will be relocating out of state later this summer.
Presque Isle resident and President and CEO of the MMG Insurance Company, Larry M. Shaw, was keynote speaker. He shared how he and his wife, Taffy, “fully experienced the Presque Isle school system for 17 years.” The couple has three sons, Nick, Brennen and Connor, all of whom graduated from Presque Isle High School.
Shaw talked briefly about MMG being based in the Star City, then continued, “Tonight is about moving on. The world awaits! You are in the driver’s seat. You will dictate where, when and how fast. You are responsible for your own success and happiness.”
His sons Brennan and Connor had the opportunity to work for a Boston CEO named Kip Hollister. Shaw quoted Hollister: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and uncomfortable with being comfortable.” He told graduates, “Attack challenge that way, you will be pleased with what you accomplish.”
Shaw concluded with this quote: “When you wake up in the morning, you have two choices — go back to sleep and dream your dreams — or wake up and chase your dreams.” He recommended they choose the latter and charged, “Go make your life happen.”
Principal Ben Greenlaw addressed the audience and the graduates at his first PIHS graduation as principal. He named the 13 students in the top 10 percent of the class, who were recognized. He then called the top five to the stage. Receiving plaques were Angela Hallowell, fifth; Kelsey Gilson, fourth; Jenna Hallett, third; John Freeman, second; and Ben Nickerson, top ranked senior.
Conferring the diplomas and greeting the graduates were Johnson, SAD 1 Board Chair Lucy Richard and Shaw. Graduates were then invited to move their tassels and Greenlaw introduced them as Presque Isle High School’s graduating Class of 2015.
The graduates were then led out of the gymnasium by Class Marshals Jordan Humphrey and Austin Albert to the “Triumphal March” played by the PIHS concert band.
