SALEM TOWNSHIP – Dressed in white and blue robes, the class of 2006 entered the gym for the last time, to the sound of thunderous applause.
Mount Abram High School held its graduation ceremony Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the gym, marking the graduation of 70 seniors. Rainy weather and a warm gym failed to make any impact in the audience’s numbers or enthusiasm. The large crowd was boisterous in their support for the graduating students.
Waiting in the hall before the ceremony, senior Isaac Osterhout was tired. Due to time zone differences, it felt like 1:30 a.m. He had flown across the Atlantic to arrive back in Maine at 2 a.m. Friday, so he wouldn’t miss the ceremony.
Osterhout, who just finished a two-year exchange student program in Norway, said he was excited to graduate. While he has plans to eventually study art at college, Osterhout says he is interested in planning a backpacking trip across Thailand immediately after graduating.
Emily Stinchfield, the class salutatorian, opened the graduation.
“Good evening, friends and family of Mt. Abram High School’s graduating class of 2006,” she said.
Principal Jeanne Tucker said how proud she was of the class of 2006 and announced the many recipients of scholarships during the graduation ceremony. All together, 87 state and local scholarships were awarded to 34 students. The combined value of the scholarships awarded to Mt. Abram students was $99,550.
Briana Wilkins, the valedictorian, gave the farewell speech. She emphasized the differences the Mt. Abram class of 2006 could make and quoted several people, including Christopher Reeve, Mason Cooley and Billy Graham for effect.
“All of us leaving Mt. Abram today have what it takes to effect change and movement in our society,” she said. “We must never underestimate the differences each of us can make.”
However the evening’s ceremony was perhaps best summed up by the final three words in her speech.
“Congratulations and goodbye.”
Comments are no longer available on this story