HEBRON – A young man from Hawaii and another from Korea drew standing ovations from their peers and a crowd of hundreds Saturday during commencement exercises in Robinson Arena at Hebron Academy.

Senior Class President William Sandkuhler IV drew loud applause for an emotional graduation message, while Tae Hoh Park did it by winning the independent boarding school’s highest award – the Hebron Academy Cup.

The cup is given to a senior who represents the finest spirit of scholastic effort, has shown a high degree of excellence in athletic competition, and a commendable spirit of devotion, high ideals, friendliness, endeavor and responsibilities.

Sandkuhler and Park joined with their 74 classmates to make one of the larger graduating classes in the history of the 204-year-old school, according to Head of School John J. King.

But that’s not what set them apart from the rest.

“They’re really one of the most diversely interesting classes we’ve graduated from here ever,” King said after the 60-minute ceremony that began with a bag-piper-led processional from Sturtevant Hall across campus and Route 119 and into the hockey arena.

“This is a class with incredible breadth, talent, interesting futures, and they’ve come from everywhere: Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Germany, Spain, Brazil, and 25 states. They’ve come from near and far and they’re just incredible kids who are going on to colleges everywhere,” King said.

Park’s family flew from Seoul, Korea, to see him graduate. Sandkuhler’s parents came from Hawaii, bringing with them 80 large wooden beaded leis, which were then given to each senior and worn for the occasion.

Park said he first came to America and Maine in 2004 to experience the countryside, and after an interview, decided to attend Hebron Academy.

“The impression I got was that it was very friendly here and very peaceful, and that impression made me come here,” said Park, who will be majoring in political science and business at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia this fall.

“In my first four years and my U.S. experiences in Maine, I think everything is in that (Hebron Academy) Cup. My Hebron Academy experience helped me to grow physically and mentally, but also it deepened my view of the world and my growth of character. So it’s very sad now that from this moment on, I will not be able to see this campus and path, only sadness,” Park said.

Sandkuhler’s parents, King said, brought him to Hebron in January 2005 to experience what Maine winters were like before the youngster decided to attend.

Delivering his speech, Sandkuhler described it as an autobiographic journey to which all of his classmates could relate. At times Saturday, he struggled to overcome emotions.

He themed his talk on “Ke anu,” which means “path” in Hawaiian.

“The class of 2008 has followed Hebron’s Ke anu on many different levels emotionally, physically and intellectually, often without having any conscious awareness of where this path would take us,” he said.

“Well, we finally have an answer, because today is the end of the path.”

A lacrosse and football player, he thanked several coaches, trainers and teachers, along with parents, families and friends for keeping him on the right path.

“We are all bound to each other with ties that will last long after we have physically left Hebron and continue on our new paths in life …We all made it. This is the end of our Hebron path, but the beginning of the never-ending one called life. So, class, remember if opportunity doesn’t come knocking, build the door,” Sandkuhler said.