As they embark on life journeys, Gorham High School seniors received cheers, standing ovations, and some sound words of wisdom in commencement exercises.
Speakers urged the graduates to give thanks, take risks and be prepared for changes as they tackle new challenges. The graduation exercises were held on Sunday, June 7, at the nearly filled Merrill Auditorium in Portland.
Gorham High School Principal Christopher Record offered seniors advice that included taking advantage of opportunities, giving back to the community and living with vigor.
“Make good choices,” Record recommended and lauded them. “You look tremendous today in your white, maroon and black gowns.”
Class President Muhammad Khan, who said his family came to the United States in 2005 from Pakistan, praised his parents and his teachers. Khan called the class amazing.
The day for many represented a milestone filled with goodbyes and parting words.
“Today is an emotional day,” Khan said. “Spend your days showing love and compassion to others.”
Ashley Woodbury delivered the salutatory address and advised classmates not to wait for life to come to them.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” Woodbury said. “Take risks and stretch your mind.”
Sunday’s ceremony was also a time for some reminiscing. The class’s first day in high school was delayed, Valedictorian Douglas Beahm recalled, because of a hurricane.
Beahm encouraged his fellow graduates to excel.
“When you leave graduation, set out to be the best you can,” Beahm said.
The class performed its class song, “The Middle,” by Jimmy Eat World. A line in the lyrics, “Just try your best,” seemed to echo Beahm’s counsel.
Social studies teacher Scott Caulfield was the keynote speaker. Caulfield spoke about change that is a constant.
“You can only live in the moment you’re in,” Caulfield said. “We swim through seas of change every day.”
Caulfield noted that the graduates all would be going to new environments and would be confronted with change. He said those entering the military have no idea what’s coming.
He told the graduates, wherever they go, to hand-write a letter home.
“You are the leading edge of the future,” Caulfield said.
After all the speeches, each graduate walked across the stage when called by name to be handed a diploma and walk through a congratulatory line of school administrators.
Class officers led the students through the turning of the tassels on mortarboards, a ritual signifying they had graduated. Then teacher James Welsch said, “For four years, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of serving as your class adviser.”
Welsch formally introduced the class to the audience, which responded with a standing ovation.
Record rendered the ceremony’s closing remarks.
“I’m very proud of each of you,” Record said before snapping a selfie of him and the class.
Record said he was counting on each class member to keep one another safe as they go.
“It’s been a great honor to serve as your principal,” he told them.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Gorham Police Department honor guard posted the flags and the Gorham High School Chamber Singers sang the National Anthem. Record called for a moment of silence to honor the deceased, including Branden Denis, who died in a car crash last fall.
Several of the graduates had inscribed unique messages on their mortarboards. Some examples included “The tassel is worth the hassle,” and “Every end is a new beginning.”
The mortarboard of Elizabeth Rioux had a floral display and the words “This is for you Daddy!”
Outside the auditorium before the ceremony, Rioux said the message was in remembrance of her late father. Rioux will be continuing her education at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish.
The class members of 2015 seemed to have close ties, but now each will face the changes Caulfield spoke about in his message.
“Gorham is such a good community,” Rioux said. “I’m going to miss my class.”
Gorham School Committee member Timothy Burns hugs his daughter, GraceAnn Burns, as she receives her diploma in graduation exercises on June 7 at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.Staff photos by Robert Lowell
After Gorham High School’s ceremonies, friends and family greet the new graduates outside Merrill Auditorium in Portland on Sunday.
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