DIXFIELD – Family and friends packed the Dirigo High School gymnasium Friday afternoon as 81 graduates received their diplomas.
Under sunny skies the Class of 2003 lined up to be led in by class marshals Kyle Dolloff and Sheena Hanmer.
In giving the class history, Alyssa Burns and Sheena Weston spoke about how the class began with the new millennium and had several setbacks that first year. The joy of a new principal was shortly turned to grief at his death mid-year, they said.
The girls’ basketball team brought home the Gold Ball and the sportsmanship award that year and continued its winning streak over the years.
Burns and Weston mentioned the horrors of Sept. 11, 2001, followed by heightened security in the country. War erupted in Iraq in their senior year.
Despite times of hardship, grief and concern for the country the class has prospered.
This year marks the largest class to graduate from Dirigo and the largest percentage of students going on to higher education.
Allison Beckler spoke of her success at Dirigo after a teacher said to the class one day, “‘If you’re bored in class, get involved.'” She joined the soccer team, volunteered in class and soon her “salty river of frustrations” went dry, she said. As a soccer player, she learned the lesson of teamwork and without parts there would be no whole. She found confidence in herself and found the drive to succeed.
Principal Daniel Hart first presented a high school diploma to Harold I. Buker Jr., who enlisted in the Army during World War II at age 17 and never received his graduation certificate.
Hart also recognized Superintendent David Pierce for his 37 years in education.
Speaking to the graduates, he told them that high school graduation was not an end but the beginning of all their tomorrows. He then referred to the fact that 44 seniors had received more than $35,000 in special scholarships. He said 66 of the 81 graduates have been accepted in colleges and universities. Five have enlisted in the Armed Services and 20 have local jobs.
Pierce and SAD 21 director Barbara Chow assisted Hart in presenting the diplomas to the graduates.
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