POLAND – Principal Bill Doughty started the night off as the ninth graduating class at Poland Regional High School sat in their caps and gowns, each waiting for their moment.

“It only takes one moment to say to a best friend, ‘Thank you for being there for me.’ It only takes one moment to thank a faculty member, a mother, father, for being there,” he told the 116 graduating seniors. “Let them know you appreciate them.”

Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Glenn Cummings followed Doughty with the keynote speech for the second year in a row. He offered the soon-to-be-graduates three pieces of advice: Take advantage of people, be losers and give away everything that is most precious.

Cummings also offered a few words of wisdom from Abraham Lincoln:

“‘I knew even in the hardest times, I had something to give.’ You all have something to give,” Cummings said.

Valedictorian Cory Cormier and salutatorian Amy Chipman used their time in front of the podium to reflect on their class’s fondest memories, to acknowledge several outstanding students and to thank those who helped them throughout the years.

“We are winners in academics, participation in AP courses, community involvement and sports. The class of 2008 is the eighth wonder of the world,” Chipman said.

Cormier took a few seconds to poke fun at the school’s football team and a fellow classmate known for winning a doughnut-eating contest, but spent the majority of his speech giving the class his sincerest wishes.

“I leave you tonight with not a quote from a former president, nor from a celebrity, or a famous mathematician, professor, doctor, but instead with advice that our own strength and willingness to succeed and achieve new things already lies within each of us.”