AUBURN – The Central Maine School of Massage Therapy celebrated the graduation of the first class of nine students on Dec. 20 at the Village Inn.

Sonja Christiansen, owner of Healing Focus in Auburn and instructor of the energy field theory and business for the Lewiston school, was the guest speaker.

Christiansen has been a Karuna Reiki master teacher and practitioner in the Lewiston/Auburn community since the early 1980s. Her company, Healing Focus, fosters the balance of mind, body and spirit, through laughter, offering stress management and motivational programs, holistic marketing workshops and all levels of Reiki certification to individuals and companies throughout the United States.

Anna Stevens, school director, delivered a few words before passing out the diplomas.

The graduating students will go on to apply for licensure for massage therapy by the state without further testing and will also qualify to sit for the exam given by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Graduates are Jessica Ward of Waterford, Jeri Heath of Poland, Sue Grenier of Auburn, Cathy Piper of Wayne, Anita Icenhour of New Portland, Diane Hutter of Oxford, Jennifer Jacobs of New Gloucester, Cindy Deschene of Poland and Misty Douglass of Turner.

The school is accepting applications for the 10-month evening program in February. Registration deadline has been extended to Jan. 23. The school will also offer a part-time, two-year program in April. Call 753-1414 for a catalog.