Gorham seniors celebrated the end of their high school days Sunday afternoon by dancing off the stage after receiving their diplomas.
The dancing and celebration came after a ceremony where seniors were encouraged to search within, focus on the present, try new things, stay on track and be human.
A nearly filled Merrill Auditorium in Portland saw Gorham High School Principal John Drisko hand diplomas to 179 graduates as class advisor Fred Adams read their names.
“The fruit of our education is sweet today,” said Class President Dylan Joffe in her address. “Gorham High School has prepared us for the next step.”
Joffe said graduates should search within themselves and find out what’s important. She asked the class to form opinions and fight for them.
“We finally made it,” Joffe said, congratulating classmates.
In her valedictory address, Anastasia Miliano urged classmates to try new ventures even if the options could be frightening or intimidating. She said she joined the school’s robotics team this year despite feeling “out of her league.”
Miliano developed new skills, met talented people and learned to respect students and mentors, as a member of the robotics team. “It is really time to try something,” Miliano told her classmates.
Laura Willett, salutatorian, urged her fellow graduates to be spontaneous. “Live now,” Willett said. ‘The future will always be there.”
Willett cautioned classmates that too much could be lost by focusing on the past or living for the future. “The power of now is tremendous,” she said.
Recalling her days as a kindergarten teacher, Susan Gendron, Maine commissioner of education, told a story from a children’s book about a little engine in her guest address. She said each student must find his or her own track.
Gendron said they should tap into creativity, as each has unique talents and qualities. She said their tracks might take them into tunnels surrounded by dark. But she urged them to “keep on going.”
She gave the class her best wishes. “You can accomplish it all with the attitude ‘I know I can’,” Gendron said.
Amy Smith, who taught students about the Holocaust, delivered the faculty speech. She said it takes thinking to recognize prejudice and oppose it.
Smith told the graduates to have compassion. She didn’t want the students to lose their sense of humanity as they entered an imperfect world. “I hope your education at Gorham High School has taught you to be human,” Smith said.
Before the ceremony, Gorham graduate Nicholas Robertshaw admitted he was a “little nervous” although he had performed on the Merrill stage as a dancer. “This is a little different, walking toward the future,” he said.
Another graduate, Spencer Hawkes, will serve as a church missionary before going on to college. ‘It’ll be fun. It doesn’t sink in until after you use the diploma to get into a school,” Hawkes said. “I’m excited.”
Chelsea Tanguay, class vice president, couldn’t believe it was graduation day. “It’s kind of unreal. This year flew by,” she said.
But the joy of the occasion was mixed with sadness, as friends would soon part. “It’s a great class, it’ll be hard to leave,” Tanguay said as class members prepared backstage for graduation.
As the graduation ceremony concluded, members of the senior chorus laughed and gleamed as they looked at one another as they sang “Don’t You Forget About Me.” And the audience clapped in rhythm.
Then, class officers, which included Kelsi Hawkes, secretary, and Sarah Marshall, treasurer, led the class in turning their tassels. After that, Joffe led classmates, who danced as they left the stage to reunite with parents and family.
In the opening ceremonies, the Gorham Fire Department presented the colors. The Gorham High School Chamber Singers, directed by Darrell Morrow, sang the national anthem. Kelsey Wilson and Jamie LaMontagne served as class marshals.
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