Four years flew by for Presque Isle seniors

by Joshua Archer
7 years ago
Class president Victoria Williamson addressing Friday evening's crowd at the Presque Isle High School class of 2017 graduation, June 9. (Joshua Archer)

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The rain held off Friday evening as family and friends packed into the Presque Isle High School gymnasium with a roar of chatter for the Class of 2017’s graduation ceremony.

Making what most likely will be their last appearance at the high school were the 120 seniors who marched in two by two, led by class marshals Jillian Jandreau and Faith Morrow. A sea of students dressed in blue filled the front rows, their expressions a mix of nervous excitement and eagerness to start a new chapter in life.

Class president, Victoria Williamson, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and thanked the family members and teachers that helped shape the graduates’ education.

“I’m sure we can all agree, that if it wasn’t for strong encouragement from our parents and teachers kindly reminding us when our assignments are due, we would not all be sitting here right now,” Williamson said.

Following the class president was Abigail Shaw who sang “For Good” from the musical “Wicked,” and then class speaker Gabriella Donovan took to the stage to talk about the senior experience, asking herself, “When will I feel like a senior?”

“Some of us will be headed to college, some will take a year off or immediately enter the workforce and some will be serving our country, but we will all build new relationships with new friends, mentors and communities,” Donovan said.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Robert Davis, president of Maine Farmers Exchange, gave sage advice from his life experiences of just being a “skinny kid from Washburn.” He shared stories of learning how to fly and emphasized the importance of relationships.

“If you want your ship to come in, you have to send some out … the point is you cannot expect success in life if you do not make an effort to succeed,” Davis said.

Principal Ben Greenlaw also offered advice, including why it’s important to follow through in life and then he presented awards to the top students of the class of 2017.

Grace Maynard Player was named the top performing graduate. Joining her in the top six academically were class members Emma Beaulieu in second place, Emily Lagerstrom in third place, Marielle Shaw in fourth place and Gabriella Donovan and Elise Guerrette tied for fifth place.

After all was said and done and after students received their diplomas, it was a slow exit out of the building as graduates said their final goodbyes.

“Graduating feels kind of surreal to be honest. I’m very excited that I’m graduating and it seems like the day I walked in here freshman year, it was years and years away, but looking back on it, it flew by in just seconds,” Williamson said.