SALEM – Mt. Abram High School sent 63 new graduates into the world Friday night at ceremonies held in the gym. Principal Jeanne Tucker, the Maine High School Principal of the Year, noted of that number, 57 will attend college, four will enter the military and one exchange student will return to Germany.

Class Valedictorian Emma Coffin said that for each graduate there was at least one person who made a vast difference in their life, be it a teacher, a parent, grandparent or mentor. She also spoke about a question the students had discussed on their recent class trip.

“What would you do if you knew a nuclear war would happen in one week?”

“Would you travel the globe?” she asked. “Would you visit the seven wonders of the world, or maybe take a fast trip into space? Or would you stay near home, surrounded by the people you know and love, friends and family, fellow students?”

Coffin went on to describe how she would spend her final week on Earth, with those closest to her, how she would enjoy time spent with each and every one of her classmates.

“We have had some priceless moments here and we must never let them diminish,” she said.

Several special presentations were made, the first of which was given to 1933 Kingfield High School graduate Beulah Moore by Superintendent Quenten Clark and state Rep. Tom Saviello. Moore was presented an honorary Mt. Abram diploma for her years of service to the school in designing and decorating the procession batons since 1969. Class marshals Rebecca London and Zachary Purdy had the honor of flourishing those very batons this year.

Tucker announced 171 scholarship awards from local and state resources, totaling $106,125.

As senior advisers hand-delivered diplomas, there were many hugs, huge smiles and a few tears. Math teacher Peter Manning was ready for the tears, handing his students hankies along with their diplomas, pulled from the voluminous sleeves of his graduation gown.

In his farewell address, Salutatorian Nathan Kinney saluted his fellow students and teachers, bid farewell and offered remembrances of the past four years.

“Most of all,” he said, “I will remember this day.”