MADAWASKA, Maine – The Madawaska Class of 2024 reflected on their past experiences and the future ahead of them during a graduation ceremony at the Madawaska Middle/High School on Thursday.
The 24 seniors marched, the crowd stood for the national anthem, and Pastor Jack Caron delivered a brief invocation to open the ceremony.
“God asks you to make your paths straight, give each the wisdom and moral courage to face the challenges of their generation, deliver them from evil,” Caron said.
Class President Ellie Cyr then welcomed parents, teachers, staff and students to the graduation ceremony, which featured speeches from Danika Wilson, senior class vice president; graduating senior Emma Gendreau, and exchange student Hieki Hof.
Seniors Alyssa Lajoie and Avery Levesque also shared a slide show, awards and diplomas were presented, and closing remarks were delivered by both Superintendent Benjamin Sirois and Cyr.
Wilson reflected on how beginning school in Pre-K was a frightening experience that included meeting fellow students at such a young age and class pictures.
And from there, many of those students continued to learn together throughout the years up until high school graduation.
“We’ve been through it all,” said Wilson, “and most importantly, we did it together. To say we have memories is an understatement.”
Wilson reflected on the school’s mascot, the owl, and what it means to be an owl. It is not just a mascot or the name of their sports teams, Wilson said. The real meaning of Owl is exemplified, Wilson said, by a large sign in the Middle/High School cafeteria with a phrase that uses the four letters of the word “Owls,” to exemplify the school’s vision.
The sign reads, “Our vision is to learn to become worthy adults in our lives, lifting our sights and creating opportunities to succeed and to be the best in everything we do.”
Wilson said the class of 2024, teachers and staff at the school are all owls, and live up to the aforementioned standards.
“Madawaska Owls is not just a mascot,” Wilson said. “It’s home.”
Graduating senior Emma Gendreau shared anecdotes from throughout the years, discussing memories not just of fellow classmates, but of lessons learned from teachers as well.
“Although I was unable to mention every single teacher and staff member in the building, they all deserve a round of applause, because not only did they teach us French, Math, English or science, but they taught us life skills that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives,” she said.
Gendreau concluded by thanking everyone in the building who played a role in teaching the class of 2024 throughout the years.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to get that child through high school,” Gendreau said. “So parents, teachers, friends and everyone that came here today, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you. Thank you.”
