AUBURN – The 61 graduates at St. Dominic Regional High School’s 61st commencement exercises Friday night were told that “real joy comes from looking out for others.”
While the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, bishop of the Maine diocese, offered that advice in his brief remarks, evidence that the graduates have already learned and lived it in many ways was apparent as the school’s principal, G. Michael Welch, honored each of them with personal, often humorous and always insightful in-a-nutshell comments.
Welch talked about simple virtues of kindness and friendliness for some, and about academic, athletic and leadership accomplishments of others, but every student received special recognition.
He made special note of the dedication shown by students during their service mission in Mississippi.
Jacob R. Albert, valedictorian, related a story of two old men who met during their last days in a hospital. One was cantankerous, and the other kind and optimistic. Albert told how they talked for four hours, and through the rapidly approaching end of their lives, they found that the usual amount of time required for development of friendship, wisdom and acceptance was miraculously condensed to ultimately bring them together.
Albert explained that the experience for the obstinate man led to “a great new day that sprang not from his doing, or anything that he knew, but from some great upward plan that revealed a world outside that he had yet to know.” He urged his classmates to understand that “in uncertainty and confusion are many questions” yet “we will learn, like Charles did, and somehow fall into place.”
Salutatorian Rebecca M. Lewis drew from the writings of Lewis Carroll and his poem, “The Walrus and the Carpenter” from “Through the Looking Glass.” She advised her classmates to avoid a life of sweeping the sand from the beach. Like the poem’s characters, she suggested they enjoy the oysters.
Sister Rosemary Donahue, superintendent of Catholic schools, praised parents for the sacrifice and commitment they had made. Parents of several 2005 graduates were recognized for putting three or four children through St. Dom’s. They were parents of Daniel Bouttenot, Cathleen Eulitt and Danielle Theriault.
John Emerson, chairman of the school’s board of directors for the past three years, and father of graduate John Leslie Emerson, was recognized for his support for the school.
Cara Pavlak delivered the invocation, and Bridget Duval sang the national anthem. Jaime Doiron introduced speakers and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Justin M. Fongemie was class marshal.
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