Ashland graduates encouraged to ‘choose to be happy’

    ASHLAND, Maine— The Ashland District School Class of 2014 ended their adolescent school career June 5 as they began it; a bit apprehensive, ready and with one another.
The overwhelming theme of the evening was one of friendship and the unique closeness this class seems to share.
Walking the halls of any high school in America a half hour before graduation is the same. Anxious graduates, primping and preparing for this most important evening of their life. Like most rural high schools, these students have spent nearly every day of their lives with the same classmates and friends they began with in kindergarten. The Ashland District School is no different, but there is something different about this class. You can feel it, you can see it and, in all the chatter, you can hear it.
Graduates were overheard encouraging one another with the same enthusiasm they did courtside or preparing for their final exams. Right before their processional, senior class adviser Shari Ward and this class of 20 participated in what they call “Circle Time.” Adviser and students stand hand in hand, in a circle, to encourage and express their gratitude for one another. On this night, Ward told her students they “are the most amazing people,” she “loved them all” and “whatever you do, all your lives, do it well.”
Salutatorian Rachel Gillis gushed about her classmates in the evening’s opening speech.
“Never have I seen a group of individuals with such different personalities be as close and care for each other as much as we do,” she said. “I’m so thankful to have spent the last 12 years with these people, not only as my classmates, but almost like an extended family.”
Even the chosen musical selection sung by select members of the graduating class, “Roots Before Branches,” made popular by the cast of the television show “Glee,” spoke of the sentiment, as well.
Valedictorian Allyx Beaulier gave her address to her classmates, also citing their shared relationships saying, “I believe it’s safe for me to say that there is something very special about this class. Growing up, we have always pushed each other to be our best in every single way, which has resulted in one of the most successful graduating classes that Ashland has seen in quite a while.”
During the commencement, the graduates presented a very well edited slide show, cleverly cutting in the bus ride to school from each township to the upbeat tune by Rascal Flatts, “Life Is A Highway,” followed by photos from their earlier years to now. It was a delightful journey to see in pictures, highlighting the growth and evolution of these students.
Guidance Counselor Lynwood McHatten then presented 102 scholarships to the graduating students, totaling more than $102,000. During his presentation, McHatten told the students they “would be missed” and complimented them on being a “great class.”
Superintendent Gehrig Johnson then welcomed keynote speaker Todd Saucier. Saucier, a 1990 Ashland alumni, who now serves as the alumni director at the University of Maine at Orono, turned the podium to the graduates, explaining his speech was “for them.” He then gave a very entertaining speech, which included wardrobe changes into his old high school Hornet jackets, pop culture references and calling out his alumni classmates by name. Saucier encouraged the students to “choose to be happy” even while pursuing and achieving goals. He also noted alumni who have accomplished much, in and out of The County, and encouraged them to “define their aspirations and life’s happiness.”
Diplomas were then presented by Johnson, Principal Christopher Hallett and school board chair Sheila Lyons.
After the commencement, guests were invited to join the graduates for refreshments. Immediately following, the students left for a weekend together in Boston as part of Project Graduation. The graduates took a chartered round-trip bus from Bangor to Boston and planned to visit the Franklin Zoo, Six Flags, Faneuil Hall Marketplace and CodZilla along with a day of go-karting and mini golf.