AUBURN – In a hot, packed gymnasium, St. Dominic Regional High School graduated 97 seniors Friday night, while remembering two “giants” who died in the last year.

Speakers recalled the love and dedication that Principal G. Michael Welch, who died Sept. 26, and Athletic Director Robert Boucher, who died April 26, had for their students.

“Whenever they both called me on the speakerphone, I knew they were up to something,” Catholic Schools Superintendent Sister Rosemary Donohue said. “It might have been there was a need for a new bus. Or they wanted to take some team somewhere, and they needed or decided to cover themselves by including me in the decision.”

Donohue said they enjoyed those chats. It allowed her “hear these giants talk about their kids.” While the two special men are no longer with them, “I know they are still watching over St. Dom’s,” Donohue said.

Donald Fournier began serving as principal in October. Friday night, he had plenty of accolades for this year’s graduating class. Besides the fact it’s his first class as principal, and his daughter, Chelsea, is among the graduates, this year’s class is especially dedicated to helping others, Fournier said. Many were heavily involved in service projects, and gave up their spring vacation to work in Mississippi, the hottest and poorest state in the union.

Seniors brought much life and energy to St. Dom’s, leaving a school spirit that will linger, he said. “I and the entire staff will carry memories of you our entire lives. Here are some of our memories,” Fournier said.

He then recalled something special about every single graduate, a graduation ceremony tradition begun by Welch. Some of Fournier’s memory of class members included:

• No one will forget the independent, versatile Jake Adler, who sometimes drove too fast.

• Krysten Applegate is a sensitive person who cheers on others and has a never-give-up attitude.

• Megha Basavappa is driven, determined, a great writer with an impressive vocabulary.

• Many of the Class of 2007 are service-oriented, but only Hannah Beaulieu saved her paper route money to take her mother on a humanitarian trip to Bosnia.

• John Canning was a homeroom cheerleader, a fashion trend-setter “who could very well be the king of mismatched clothing.”

• Lauren Clark values education and is one of the championship field hockey players.

• Samuel Inman will be remembered as a George W. Bush impersonator who himself may run for president someday.

• Micaela Kelly was ever bubbly.

• Brianne Landry a great lover of conversation. “You could usually hear her coming down the hall.”

• Jared Morin was a computer expert willing to help others.

• Lisa Navojosky, a chef extraordinaire.

• Josh Pollock was athletic and hard-working.

• Jeremy Rugan was creative, voted most artistic.

• Sarah St. Amour will be remembered as confident, a great writer.

• Chelsea St. Onge-May will be successful, and was voted most likely to become the next Bill Gates.

• Joe Theriault is a well-rounded all-American, a great role model.

• Mike Ulin a quiet, thoughtful student who took analytical approaches to tasks.

• Katherine Webber is verbally gifted and posses a delightful personality.

• Whitney White worked hard to become a better writer.

After talking about every graduate, Fournier said, “that in a nutshell, is your Class of ’07.”

Class Valedictorian Emily Lewandowski talked about how the 97 graduates have changed from four years ago, and how the world changed around them.

She wished her classmates happiness, security and success “until we meet again.”