Another year, and another class of students has been ushered out in style from Cape Elizabeth High School at an outdoor ceremony in Fort Williams Park on Sunday, June 12.
The 129 members of the class of 2005 – the men in maroon gowns and the women in white – proceeded through the sea of hundreds of camera-toting dads, beaming mothers, family, friends and schoolmates.
After they had filed onto the concrete bleachers of the amphitheater, Cape Elizabeth High School Principal Jeffrey Shedd began with a welcome address in which he recognized the veterans who were in the audience.
As Shedd asked any World War II veterans who were in the audience to stand the applause began, and continued to increase as Korean War vets stood, then Vietnam vets, First Gulf War vets and veterans from the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The class of 2005 began their high school career in September 2001. Shedd said he was sure they all remembered which class they were in when they heard the news. He said the class gift of a new flagpole was “perhaps appropriate for a class that began with the terrible scar of September 11.”
He also pointed out that the class had lived through some other iconic events as well: the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series for the first time in 87 years, the Patriots winning the Super Bowl three times, “and technology for blogging, whatever that is.”
Bethany Roy, only one of 150 students nationwide to be chosen as a Presidential Scholar, gave a valedictory address in which she said her class was growing up in “a time of discord” and after quoting Bobby Kennedy challenged them to lead a generation known for integrity and “to deny the common course towards a comfortable life – take risks, lead lives of purpose and passion and make use of the blessings you have received.”
After the presentation of excellence awards and a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Over the hills and far away” by Red Beard and the Ramblers, led by vocalist and Senior Class President Spencer Scott, the senior class address – as well as a bit of comic relief – was given by Sam Roos.
As Roos talked about all the technological advances that have been made during the last four years and how it has changed the way people communicate, he excused himself to answer his cell phone. It was a text message, which he shared with the audience. He read off a line that included “LOL OMG U R SOOO Phunny . . . G2G TTYL!!”
“Sorry about that, Tinkham always IMs me at the worst times,” he said, drawing great laughter from the audience, which included Assistant Principal Mark Tinkham.
Roos ended by thanking everyone who had been a part of their lives and high school experience. “But mostly, thank you to the students. In the words of some band that I don’t think any of us listen to: ‘What a long, strange trip it’s been.’ But, there’s nobody I would have rather taken it with than you.”
Kaley Skapinsky gave a second valedictory address in which she spoke about the world in which we live in and the feeling of uselessness and indifference that pervades us. “If global warming has already doomed our planet, what does it matter if I throw this one bottle away instead of recycling it? If a candidate is already predicted to win, how is my one vote going to change anything?” she asked the audience.
“Making a difference is not the hard part. The hard part is deciding that the fight is worth it,” she said.
Social studies teacher Dwight Ely gave the faculty address, in which he said there weren’t many rites of passage in this country, so he said, “I’m going to revel in the obvious: the class of 2005 is pretty amazing, individually and collectively.”
Ely passed on this bit of simple advice to the graduates, “work at something you enjoy and that is worth your time and talent.” He went on to say that working with the class of 2005 has been a joy for him and his colleagues. “You have given our time and talent worth.”
Ely spoke about the heroes throughout history who were never heroes during their own time, only troublemakers. “Either you define your future or someone will define it for you,” he said.
He discussed the world that these graduates were entering, where humans spend $1 trillion worldwide to potentially kill other humans, and where the country with 5 percent of the population is spending 50 percent of that amount.
“Welcome to your world. … You are a most extraordinary group of people and I cannot think of a group with whom I would rather face the future.”
He left them with one last piece of advice: “Never stop questioning authority.”
Senior Class President Spencer Scott finished the ceremonies by leading his classmates in the ceremonial turning of the tassel. And maroon and white caps were thrown skywards.
129 Cape grads toss their hats in the air after graduating in a ceremony in Fort Williams Park.
Cape grads watch Red Beard and the Ramblers perform during the ceremony Sunday.
Cape grads in procession during the ceremonies Sunday in Fort Williams Park.
High School Principal Jeffrey Shedd speaks to the Cape Elizabeth class of 2005 at their graduation Sunday.
Cape faculty pose for the camera at graduation on Sunday.
Cape men dressed in their maroon gowns begin the march towards the ceremony.
Cape Elizabeth High School Assistant Principal Mark Tinkham (left) and Principal Jeffrey Shedd lead the procession during the ceremony.
Marshals Mary Cox and Matt Yantakosol lead the class of 2005 towards the graduation ceremony Sunday.
Cape grads march to “Pomp and Circumstance” during the their graduation ceremony.
Cape grads march to “Pomp and Circumstance” during their graduation ceremony Sunday.
Cape grads march through the crowd during the graduation ceremony at Fort Williams Park Sunday.
Cape grads march through the crowd at graduation Sunday.
The Cape Elizabeth High School Wind Symphony performs “Pomp and Circumstance” at the graduation ceremony Sunday in Fort Williams Park.
The class of 2005 proceeds through the crowd at graduation Sunday.
Cape grads file onto the concrete bleachers at graduation Sunday at Fort Williams Park.
From the left: incoming Cape Elizabeth Superintendent Alan Hawkins, interim Superintendent Bob Lyman, CEHS Assistant Principal Mark Tinkham and CEHS Principal Jeffrey Shedd watch the ceremony Sunday at Fort Williams Park.
Valedictorian and Presidential Scholar Bethany Roy gives a Valedictory Address at graduation Sunday.
Red Beard and the Ramblers get ready to perform at graduation Sunday at Fort Williams Park.
The Cape Elizabeth class of 2005 watch as Red Beard and the Ramblers perform during graduation Sunday.
Class of 2005 President Spencer Scott leads with vocals during Red Beard and the Ramblers rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Over the Hills and Far Away.”
Red Beard and the Ramblers perform at graduation Sunday.
The senior class address was given by Sam Roos, as well as some comic relief.
Co-Valedictorian Kaley Skapinsky addresses the crowd and her classmates at graduation Sunday.
The Cape Elizabeth class of 2005.
Graduating senior and piano virtuoso Henry Kramer performs at graduation Sunday.
The faculty address given by social studies teacher Dwight Ely begins with a glass of Diet Coke.
Dwight Ely pours himself a glass of Diet Coke before giving his faculty address at graduation Sunday.
A female student accepts her diploma from CEHS Assistant Principal Mark Tinkham.
Cape grads line up to accept their diplomas Sunday.
Cape grads retrieve their hats after the traditional toss in the air.
Three Cape grads hold their roses and can’t believe they’re finished.
Cape grads mingle with the crowd after the ceremony.
Four Cape grads pose for the camera, surrounded by the crowd.
A Cape grads lends his hat and his shoulders to a little friend.
Jacob Markowitz celebrates with a cigar after graduating Sunday from Cape Elizabeth High School.
Cape grads Kristina Scontras (left) and Aleka Emerson pose after graduating Sunday.
Theater Director Dick Mullen and Aleka Emerson chat after the graduation ceremony Sunday.
Cape faculty and seniors hang out at the senior BBQ and faculty tea last Thursday. From the left: Rachel Guthrie, Alison Coulter, Katie Lisa, Betsy Nielsen, Matt Sears, Jamie Walsh and Meghan Clark.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
