PORTLAND – Seniors graduating from Gray-New Gloucester High School on Saturday were described by Principal Paul Penna as high achievers.

He cited their distinctions, including the high percentage of students in national honors and those with other academic merits.

“This is their day,” Penna said. “These graduates are doers.”

Alan Rich, chairman of the SAD 15 school board, suggested that the graduates think prospectively, not retrospectively, about their graduation – “not what you are graduating from, but what you are graduating to.”

Superintendent Victoria Burns told the graduates, “You are the perfect age, and this is the night of the start of something big.”

Valedictorian Hannah Verrill recognized the accomplishments of her peers, thanked her family and noted that faculty members were “caring and supportive.”

Salutatorian Rachel Drew compiled a list of thank-yous, pieces of advice and farewells, taken when she surveyed her classmates.

“I can speak for many when I say, ‘I thought this day would never come,'” she said. On the subject of advice, she said, “One student wrote: If there’s no road or path, carve your own.”

The commencement address was given by ninth-grade teacher Harvey Moynihan, who prepared his speech by asking faculty in different grade levels to comment on the graduating class. He commended the class for being tolerant, introspective, engaging and charismatic.

Mark Cutter, an English teacher chosen by the students for this purpose, read students’ names as the principal, assistant principals, interim athletic director and administrative assistant presented diplomas to the 138 graduates.

After the students received their diplomas, class president Brandon Hotham led his classmates in flipping their tassels. The class song, “Here is the Night” was performed by Jon Siebels, Max Collins and Tony Fagenson.