CARIBOU, Maine — Thirteen young adults marched during the commencement ceremony held at RSU 39’s Eastern Aroostook Adult and Community Education on Thursday, May 18.
Director Dan MacDonald welcomed friends and family to the Caribou celebration, followed by the procession and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag led by graduate Seth Paddleford.
Guest speaker Mary Green, community manager for the Aroostook County American Red Cross, said, “The lesson is that people who make a difference in your life are the ones who care, the ones who will be there for you. Consider that the value and wealth of a person should not be measured by what he does for himself to make life easier, but measured by what he does for others to make their lives easier.”
During a carnation ceremony, graduates presented flowers to a family member, friend or other person who had made a difference in helping them be successful.
Student speaker Kassandra Boyington told her story of initial challenges, making choices to work toward success, and attaining both her goals. She received her diploma and C.N.A. certification in a short time.
She shared a quote about being grateful for the miracle of life: “Ask yourself how you want to spend it. Then get to creating, to making lives better.”
Adult learners may earn their high school credential with either the diploma program or by taking the HiSet high school equivalency test. Awards for academic excellence in taking the high school equivalency exam were presented by MacDonald, along with David Barbosa, academic manager of the Loring Job Corps Center, and Lyn Smith, academic coordinator of RSU 39 Adult Education and executive cirector of Literacy Volunteers of Aroostook.
Smith noted that the 3000 Club Award is presented to recipients who achieved college and career readiness proficiency with scaled scores of at least 15 out of 20 on each of the five subtest topics.
The Director’s Award was presented to John Barretto for perseverance in completing his education, for academic improvement and early acceptance to Northern Maine Community College, where he will study automotive repair in the fall.
Assistant Superintendent Jane McCall and director MacDonald presented the graduates with their diplomas and the evening ended with celebration.
A total of 84 learners earned their high school credentials from Eastern Aroostook Adult and Community Education during the 2016-2017 school year.
