Staff Writer
ASHLAND – The Class of 2008 gathered one last time at Ashland High School on Friday, May 30, preparing to take the next big step in their lives – be it college, a job or some other new adventure.
A total of 31 students received their diplomas from SAD 32 Superintendent Gehrig Johnson. Like their counterparts at high schools elsewhere, this class took with them much more than just a diploma. They took 13 years of school experiences, combined with the 17 or 18 years of memories formed with family and friends as they grew to the young adults who appeared on stage in cap and gown.
“Throughout our school career we have learned and experienced so much,” said Jacquelyn Raymond, class salutatorian. “I believe that we learn a lot in our younger years that become influential parts of our adolescence and adult lives.”
Raymond noted that one of the most important things students learn is “goal setting,” and acknowledged practice and patience were key elements in the learning process.
“Listening to other people’s guidance is just as important as trying your own way. Learning how to accept people’s advice is an important skill that will be used all of your life,” Raymond advised her classmates.
Raymond used the example of filling out scholarship forms to highlight how class members used determination and goal-setting skills to complete the forms.
In filling out those forms, Raymond said, “We applied our prior experience from tying our shoes, coloring inside the lines and even being the fastest in gym class to something much more important and relevant.”
For Raymond, learning was more than just a textbook experience.
“I think that going through life only learning what is in textbooks is a waste. Taking in every experience and learning from them is the most important. In the process of learning something new, you learn a lot about yourself. You learn your strengths and weaknesses, which I believe is just as important as academics,” she said. “Doing something extra to make up for a weakness is learning how to compensate for something.”
But not all experiences are good ones, yet Raymond explained that bad experiences are just as necessary a learning tool.
“Throughout school, we have encountered a lot of problems with friends. Growing apart and moving on are two things we have all gone through. As a result, we have learned coping mechanisms that we have already used with the death of a friend,” said Raymond. “Experience will help us get through similar situations in our future.”
Raymond also said teamwork was important and how past experiences working as a team, be it for a class project or a sporting event, will help in the future, such as on a job working with others.
“We can use our past experiences with teamwork, in order to work together, get along and have productive careers,” said Raymond. “I hope everyone’s memories and experiences here help you in your future. I know they will mine.”
Shannon Bowring, class valedictorian, spoke of how others’ experience helps one learn.
Speaking of friends and family who’ve given advice over the years, Bowring said, “Their advice and wisdom have helped us overcome many trials in our growing up.”
Bowring explained how parents’ guidance helped “from troubles in the classroom to our first broken hearts.”
“Our parents have been there for us, consoling us and giving us the love and support our scarred hearts so needed,” she said.
Whether cheering on the sidelines of some sporting event or trekking through the mall for that “perfect” first-day-of-school outfit, Bowring acknowledged the dutiful parent.
“Parents have always been there for us, even when we didn’t want them there, caring and compassionate, encouraging and sometimes just so parent-like that we blushed simply by being in their presence,” she said.
Bowring talked of how quickly time passed and how the Class of 2008 was now on the threshold of a new stage in their lives – a future made possible by the love and experiences shared by their parents and others.
“No matter where we are or what we are doing . . . we should always remember that we have not gotten to where we are alone. Our parents raised us and helped to shape us into who we are and who we will become. Our coaches and teachers encouraged and supported us. Our friends have laughed and cried with us and have been with us on our misadventures and shopping sprees,” she said.
“We should remember that even when we feel isolated, far away from our families and friends, we are not alone, for the experiences our loved ones provided us with and the wisdom which they extended to us will live on in our minds,” said Bowring.
Bowring acknowledge that each student’s experience with their parents differed from the next but that parental love was a constant for each of them.
“Our experiences with our parents differ, I am sure. But I also strongly feel that no matter these differences, each of our parents love us unconditionally and are sitting out there in the audience more proud of us than we can even imagine,” said Bowring. “We should celebrate such knowledge and feel safe and secure in the warmth of our parents’ love for us.”
In closing, Bowring shared a bit of advice, from her own experiences, with her classmates.
“I know I am not your parent, yet I wish to pass some of the things I have learned from myself along to you. Never grow too old for the swings at the playground. Let love in. Ask for help if you need it. Never be too afraid to ask questions. Do not place all your faith in fairytales – however, it is okay to place a little faith in them, in order to keep hope and dreams alive,” Bowring said.
“Tell your story – do not let anyone convince you it does not matter to the world; the world needs all the stories it can hear. Remember who you were. Know and love who you are. Chase the dream of who you want to be,” she continued.
“And finally . . . call your parents. Let them know you love them,” concluded Bowring.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
THOUSANDS of dollars in scholarships were presented by Lynwood McHatten to members of the Class of 2008 during commencement exercises at Ashland Community High School on May 30. The 31 students included: Nicholas Beckler, Justin Belanger, Lucas Belanger, Shannon Bowring, Kasie Boyd, Ryan Carney Jr., Katelyn Carr, Melinda Chasse, Tyler Cote, Brandi Clark, Jacob Cobb, Joshua Eastman, Tyler Flewelling, Dakotta Flint, Whitney Flint, Nicholas Gimbel, Marc Kitchen, Daniel Langley, Jason Levesque, Anne-Marie Lilley, Conner McFarland, Sara Morton, Meagan O’Clair, Melodie Ouellette, Jacquelyn Raymond, Samantha Smith, Britany Soucier, Calvin Stadig, Ryan Stickney, Bethany Wardwell and John Wilson.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
JOSHUA EASTMAN receives his diploma from Dr. Gehrig Johnson, superintendent of SAD 32, during the May 30 graduation ceremony in Ashland.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
JUSTIN BELANGER hands his mortar board to Mr. Hall, class adviser, so he could get a better view of a rope that slipped from a pulley when a fellow classmate lowered the projection screen during the graduation ceremony in Ashland. The runaway screen crashed to the floor, blocking view of the students behind until repairs could be made. Malfunctioning equipment will hopefully be a thing of the past once the new school is built.
