FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Fort Fairfield High School sent its latest crop of graduates into the world Sunday, with a class that’s earned more than $113,000 in scholarships for higher education.
Families and friends gathered at Fort Fairfield High School June 3 to celebrate the graduation of 30 students.
The students brought in more than $113,000 in scholarships, with $70,000 of them generated by organizations and individuals in the local area, said high school principal Jamie Selfridge.
Many graduates of the Fort Fairfield High School class of 2018 are heading off to college and postsecondary education programs. Two are planning to attend the University of Maine Fort Kent, four are planning to attend the University of Maine Presque Isle, and four are planning to attend Northern Maine Community College.
Valedictorian Hunter St. Pierre, who will be attending the University of New England in Biddeford, told her fellow classmates that they should follow their passions as they enter the next phase of life.
St. Pierre told the crowd how she grew interested in reducing trash and litter problems and restarted a paper recycling program at the school along with cleanups of plastic bags around the Tri-Community Landfill.
“Once senior year came along, I decided that I wanted to get involved to help conserve our oceans and planet. For my senior exhibition project, I revived MSAD 20’s paper recycling program and I presented to the town council on the importance of recycling,” St. Pierre said.
Alex Sprague, who earned more than $10,000 in scholarship awards to continue his education at Northern Maine Community College, gives a thumbs up as he joins the procession of the class of 2018 at Fort Fairfield High School. (Anthony Brino)
“When you are doing something you love, something you are passionate about, nothing ever feels like work,” she said. “I hope you all strive after the things you are passionate about. With just a little bit of passion, the sky will be our limit. All the while you will be doing something that you love.”
St. Pierre also told her fellow graduates that mistakes are a part of life.
“We do things we wish we had never done. We do things we regret and wish we could take back. Though these moments play a huge part in shaping us into the individuals we become, they don’t define us. Let how we choose to spend our time define us. Show the world what you love and never hold back.”
Maine School Administrative District 20 superintendent Tim Doak, who graduated from Fort Fairfield High School in 1986, gave the graduation commencement address and urged graduates to serve the community and practice financial responsibility as they take on the challenges of paying for college.
Doak suggested the graduates cultivate three major assets: skills in a certain trade or profession, “people skills” and “financial savvy.”
“Start two bank accounts tomorrow morning, one with your college money, one with your personal savings,” Doak said.
“The greatest financial investment that you will make in your life is to continue to pursue something in the post-secondary field,” Doak said. “Maine is in desperate need of good workers. You sitting here today will hopefully lead the way. I encourage all of you to please live and work in the great state of Maine.”
Doak told the graduates to seize opportunities, including when they can step in to help someone.
“Giving it back or even paying it forward will make such a big difference in someone’s day,” Doak said, recounting a story of helping a young boy in New York City find his father in a crowded plaza.
“If you want to be remembered, let it be for the size of your heart, not what you wear or what car you drive.”
