By David A. Sargent,Special to the Sun Journal
Classmates embrace lessons learned,’ look to make their own ripples

LEWISTON – Diplomas were presented to 93 Lisbon High School seniors at commencement exercises Sunday afternoon held at Lewiston Memorial Armory.

With warm temperatures and sunny skies, the seniors in their blue graduation gowns thronged the walks and lawns in front of the Armory for photos with families and friends.

In her speech called “Lessons Learned,” Valedictorian Kayla Pelletier said she and her friends crammed, struggled, “and even did our homework now and then,” but through the years they learned a lot of things beyond their assigned schoolwork.

Among the lessons she listed were “being shy is a whole lot less fun than meeting people,” “everyone you meet will affect you in some way,” and “happiness is a choice.”

On the lighter side, she said she learned that “some substitute teachers don’t actually know what they’re saying” and “I learned that bottle drives are no fun when you get on the back roads, and that turkeys won’t really attack you.”

Salutatorian Soleil Mathieu said, “Our class has never settled for mediocrity, pushing the limits one boundary at a time.” Acknowledging that “sometimes this was frowned upon,” she said, “going against the status quo can ripple change for the better.”

Mathieu quoted from an Apple Computer ad campaign poem that said, “the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

She concluded, “As we leave here today, let’s make a ripple upon the world.”

Peter Donovan, senior class president, told his classmates, “Your life changes today.”

He said, “You may be about to begin a new life, but that doesn’t mean that you have to do it alone. The connections you have made up until this point can last you a lifetime. Don’t let go of the people who matter to you the most. Make them a part of your future.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shannon Welsh and Principal Kenneth J. Healey presented the diplomas.

Dr. Welsh told the graduates, “Don’t let your educational experience end today. It’s extremely important in today’s economy.”

In his closing remarks, Assistant Principal Warren G. Galway gave special recognition to three Lisbon High School teachers, all of whom graduated with the school’s Class of 1965 and all of whom are retiring this year. They are David Gamache, Paul Hawly and William Bauer.

Galway also told the students and their families that scholarships presented to this year’s seniors totaled $700,000. That is the highest in the school’s history, he said.

Class Advisor Lisa Brown received special recognition from the graduating seniors for her dedication on their behalf.

The commencement ceremonies included a Lisbon High School Band performance of the “Peter Gunn Theme” and a Lisbon High School Chorus rendition of “Oh Shenandoah.”

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