JAY – Sixty-three seniors graduated Sunday afternoon and a huge part of the ceremony was the presentation of 85 scholarships, valued at $150,000.
“For a small community, this amount is a testament of your faith in our future. We all thank you,” Principal John Robinson told the assembly of parents, teachers, students and friends.
The program got started with a welcome speech by Samuel Farrington, the class president. He said that there were some “lasts” over the past few weeks – last tests, last assemblies – but “Today is the start of a brand new chapter in our lives. Dream big and make a name for yourself.”
His advice to the class: “Be a leader, not a follower.”
Another unusual part of the program was that there were two salutatorian addresses. First, Trent Paradis, graduating magna cum laude, spoke to the audience and thanked his mom, dad and sister for their help.
“You taught me to work hard. Now I am ready to …,” he said.
Katie Mastine, who gave the second salutatorian address, brought people through the years, from first grade to the present.
“We were told many times that we would not succeed. To those of you who scorned us, we thank you.”
She said that it made them work that much harder, and those people were proven wrong, as was indicated by the graduates sitting there.
She was a prime example of success, graduating cum laude and receiving at least a half dozen scholarships.
A member of the faculty who wanted to remain anonymous said the grades between the two salutatorians were so close that it was decided to have both speak at graduation.
Valedictorian Chelsea Buck said that it had been an exciting week.
“There are times when you will want to turn around. You owe it to yourself to dream big. With hard work, anything is possible.” As fellow students grow, entering college, the military, the work force, she said, “Be smart, always do what’s right. Think before you act, and know that your actions have consequences.”
Buck said, “Now is the time to show what you can do. We have shown that we take responsibility for ourselves. Continue to do so.”
Just before they left the gym for the last time, Principal Robinson said, “Graduates, we love you. Parents, we thank you.”
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