Eight students graduated from the Eastern Aroostook Alternative High School on Thursday, June 11. While this marked the end of a journey for these students, they all have bright futures ahead and many cherished memories.
Graduate Courtney DuBois of Limestone began the ceremony with a poem that she felt reflected the class of 2015.
“Now is the time to shine, the time when our dreams are in reach and possibilities, vast. Now is the time for all of us to become the people we always dreamed of being. This is your world. You’re here, you matter. The world is waiting,” DuBois said. She also graduated as a junior and is currently working full time.
Dan MacDonald, Director of the Alternative High School, also had a warm welcome for family, friends and staff in attendance.
“Today is a big day for all of our graduates who have worked so hard to reach this point in their lives,” MacDonald said. “But we are doing more than celebrating a completion of high school. Today, we are celebrating overcoming obstacles, ignoring stereotypes and achieving set goals. The graduating seniors of alternative education have achieved success on their own terms and with their own distinctive styles, and I would like to commend each of them on their accomplishments.”
MacDonald was only one of many individuals to commend the students on their accomplishments. Teachers Erica Raymond, Bill Gehring and Peg Conlogue each spoke about select students and their positive qualities, traits and successes throughout their years shared with them.
Raymond spoke about DuBois, and the two shared a moment of tears.
“She is motivated, she is determined and she is an overcomer,” Raymond said. “Throughout the hardships of life she has experienced in her 17 years, which is far more than most of us will experience in an entire lifetime, she has not become jaded, but has developed a kindness about her more than she knows.”
Raymond also shared kind words about graduates Anthony Caparotta and Christopher Sullivan, both of Caribou.
“Anthony began in the fall with us with the goal of graduating this June, but behind several credits requiring him to take several extra classes and stay beyond school hours to receive extra help. And today, he can stand proudly before you and say that he has done it,” Raymond said. “[And] Chris has become what seems like a permanents fixture around here as he has been with us for four years. And I can say that standing before you is not the student I met all those years ago. Then he was reserved, today he is bold.”
Graduates Jennifer Chapman, Matt Milton and Samantha Currier of Caribou received kind words from Bill Gehring, as well as a quote he felt matched their personalities. Graduates Stacey Suire of Limestone and Joshua Fortin of Caribou were last but certainly not least, receiving long lasting advice and a walk down memory lane from Peg Conlogue.
Each graduate received a rose from one of their teachers, and they also had the opportunity to give a rose to someone who had been an inspiration to them while in high school. Graduates Samantha Currier and Stacey Suire also had the opportunity to say a few words before receiving their diplomas.
“The best educational decision I’ve ever made was coming to Alternative High School. I may have only been here for my senior year, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Currier said. “This school sure knows how to make you feel like family and man am I proud to be part of it.”
Suire also shared her happiness to be a part of this wonderful family. Being accepted to the Alternative High School two years ago, she became very close to her fellow classmates.
“I came here with no one, and I’m leaving here with not just new friends, but an amazing new family that I love,” Suire said. “I wish you all the best and I love you all.”
Diplomas were awarded by MacDonald, Susan White, superintendent of RSU 39 and Lois Brewer, assistant superintendent of RSU 39. Six students received diplomas from Caribou High School and two received diplomas from Limestone Community School.
