DANFORTH, Maine — It was a time of pomp and circumstance at East Grand School as a small class of 10 seniors were bestowed diplomas Thursday, June 9, 2016.
Salutatorian Kimberly Stoddard welcomed those in attendance for the ceremony and recalled how quickly the past four years have gone by.
“As freshmen we were filled with excitement and anxiety,” Stoddard said. “This was our first real year of high school. This was when we started our journey to become our true selves.”
As sophomores, the Class of 2016 began thinking about “cool jobs and money” they would one day be making so they could drive the types of cars or trucks of their dreams once they finally passed a driving test.
“Little did we realize just how much more school we would need to get those high-paying jobs to fund all the fun things we planned to do,” she said.
By junior year, thoughts began turning to which college the students hoped to attend, while by the senior year rolled around, most of the class wished the year would never end.
“The thought of leaving breaks my heart, but I know it’s all for the best,” she said. “We are the Class of 2016. We have overcome great difficulties and accomplished many triumphs. We are saying goodbye today, but we must remember every goodbye is a new beginning. All of you will be forever in our hearts and we will carry you with us wherever we go.”
Valedictorian Bethany Lindsay expressed her sincere appreciation to the teachers, staff and administration at East Grand School. She also touched on what the future may hold for the class.
“Four years ago, this class began our last journey before we step into the world of the unknown,” Lindsay said. “Here we are today, presenting ourselves as young adults, preparing to enter the world. We are going to walk out of here with our diplomas, and some may never look back, while others are going to stay involved as alumni. Some of us are going off to college, while others are going to work. Some of us may become famous, while others are happy to stay in the small town community they grew up in.”
Lindsay thanked family and friends who helped with countless fundraisers over the years and challenged her peers to keep striving for success no matter what course they followed.
“Today is the day we begin to discover ourselves,” she said. “Today, we separate and we become the graduated Class of 2016. From here on out, we make our own decisions, make our own money and create our own lives.”
