WALDOBORO – The Downeast School of Massage held commencement exercises for 17 new massage therapists from the 35th graduating class and approximately 175 guests on Nov. 15, at the school.

Christine Niero, Ph.d., executive director for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork was guest speaker.

Niero is responsible for the administration of a certification program that is national in scope and formally recognized in 28 states and the District of Columbia. She talked about the significance of the data about massage and complementary medicine collected by the board and how it has impacted the certification exam and the industry. There are 75,000 certificants nationally who must renew their certification every four years with continuing education and other requirements made by the board.

Although it is not a requirement for DSM graduates to take the national certification exam in order to be licensed in Maine upon graduation, nearly 100 percent of the graduating class expressed intent to take it to attain this national credential.

Mary Whiting represented the classes by making comments to the audience. Graduate Fran Mckay and her mother Gracie Davis performed “The Longest Walk,” a Passamoquoddy song.

Nancy Waltz Dail, nationally-certified massage therapist and director of the school, delivered a few words before passing out diplomas with Director of Admissions Cindi Yawdik, the director of education, Suzanne Ash, and AMTA President Cheryl Tardy.

Area graduates are: Timothy Ketcham of Farmington and Alicia Parrot of Lewiston.

The Downeast School of Massage is accepting applications for the January 2004 program. Call 832-5531 for a catalog or more information about their frequent open houses or visit their Web sites at: www.downeastschoolofmassage.net and at www.dsmstore.net.