In a night that was alternately dignified and carefree, Westbrook High School’s seniors ended their high school days and took a step towards adulthood last Wednesday.
After entering a packed Merrill Auditorium in Portland to the beat set by class marshals Alex Emery and Susanna Stauble, the graduates wound their way through the front rows with “Pomp and Circumstance” playing on the organ pipes. Reaching the stage, the seniors took their places facing the crowd on the stage, boys in blue and girls in white.
Senior class president and the emcee for the evening, Jason Aceto, welcomed family and friends and the proceedings moved quickly from there.
Alexandra and Susanna Stauble sang an a cappella rendering of the “Star Spangled Banner” in a melodic harmony, their clear voices carrying through the auditorium. The senior chorus then sang “America the Beautiful.”
Patrick Walsh provided the official presentation of the Class of 2006 and thanked both his classmates for the good times and those in the audience for their influence and inspiration.
Honor Essayist Alexandra Stauble told her classmates to go forth in life unafraid to take risks and to strive to be honorable people.
“Our success in life is not measured by where we go to college, how much money we make or what we eventually become, but how we have lived our lives,” she said. “Let’s face it, most of us will lead ordinary lives and have ordinary careers, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be extraordinary people.”
Salutatorian Spencer Carson, with dirty blond curls tufting out of his hat, provided some comic relief with his address, garnering laughs from the crowd at several points. Before beginning he took a deep breath and muttered “all right,” then went on in a casual way comparing life to tennis, with its ups and downs, and throwing in a joke or two. He even referenced popular comedian Larry the Cable Guy and Jack Dawson from the movie “Titanic.”
“I figure life’s a gift, and I don’t intend on wasting it,” he quoted Dawson. “You never know which hand you’re going to get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you; to make each day count.”
Valedictorian Eric Moberg told his fellow graduates to find their passion in life and stick with it.
“As we all progress in life, we will find something we love to do, something we believe is far more important than anything else in the world and simply can’t live without,” he said. “I would like to wish the class of 2006 good luck as you head into the real world. May you all find your passion, forever pursue it and forever respect it.”
Receiving their diplomas, the seniors were dignified, looking for all the world as young adults and not the teenagers they still are. Only a couple threw their fists in the air and one peace sign by Myles McIlwain indicated anything different-that and the flip-flops worn by a great number of the girls. Senior Caleigh Mannette even decided to go without the flip-flops, walking across the stage barefoot.
Flashes and applause were constant during the conferring of the diplomas. Some graduates garnered whistles and catcalls, but applause and high-pitched yells were present and mostly uniform for all 163 graduates.
After a ceremonial changing of the tassels and a 30-second standing ovation, the entire class, accompanied by piano and led by the senior choir, sang the class song: “The World’s Greatest” by R. Kelly. The song ended with the piano going quiet and the seniors clapping and singing, with some in the audience joining in. After the last chorus, the auditorium erupted with applause and yells.
With the recessional, the graduates left the stage the way they came-in a slow, dignified march-except with diplomas in hand and tassels on the left instead of on the right. And with that, their high school days were behind them. The members of the Class of 2006 left the Merrill Auditorium as young men and young women and not simply boys and girls.
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