LIVERMORE FALLS – Graduates at Livermore Falls High School will forever be thankful to their parents, and not just for breakfast.

The 64 seniors, clad in green and white, marched to their futures Saturday night surrounded by hundreds of family, friends and staff. Each student brought memories from the past and hopes for the future into the gymnasium to unite for the final time with the community members who have influenced their lives.

“You have watched us grow into the young adults we are today; without you we would not be the same,” said class secretary, Andrea Buzzell, in her welcoming address.

The graduates recognized the impact that certain individuals – parents, teachers and friends – made on their personalities, decisions and actions.

“Graduation is mostly about the parents. Even though we accomplished it, they’re the ones that got us here, so it’s really their day,” said Sarah LaFreniere.

Third honor student Lindsay Burtchell addressed the class of 2003 about the one firm thing in the unclear future: the community. A community, she says, that has been there through it all, quietly supporting them. “With such a small class and town we have managed to develop a tight knit family around us,” Burtchell said, “this community defines who we are.”

Whether it was catching salamanders in kindergarten or flying to Florida senior year, many of the graduates from the LFHS class of 2003 spent the last 13 years together.

In her farewell address, Brianna Allen gave each graduate a ticket to a LFHS football game next season. “The ticket is not only a chance for you to come home, catch a game and taste those infamous Livermore Falls french fries, but to stay afloat by remembering the people who you grew up with,” she said.

“What we should remember is that no matter where you go in life never forget where you came from,” Burtchell said.

From a chicken barbecue to a popcorn booth at the football games, the seniors diligently raised funds for their senior trip and post-graduation party throughout the year. An hour after graduation, students boarded the buses and headed to Joker’s in Portland for a night of laser tag, video games and fun. When the buses returned to the high school between 4 and 5 a.m., the recent graduates were greeted with breakfast in the school cafeteria and all cooked by their parents.

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