LEWISTON – With bittersweet memories and enthusiastic optimism, the four class speakers at Leavitt Area High School’s graduation ceremonies voiced their readiness to accept new challenges.

The graduation exercises took place Sunday afternoon at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

Valedictorian Daniel Pellerin told his classmates the reality of completing high school hit him more and more often in recent weeks as he finished tasks for the last time as a high school student. Nevertheless, he said, the graduates have come to realize that “we are more than ready to move on.”

Just as members of the Class of 2008 were once new to the classrooms and halls of Leavitt, Pellerin said their places will soon be taken by new freshmen, but he added, “They will never be us.”

Pellerin also told his classmates they should take every opportunity to expose themselves to diversity – “Not to gain a better understanding of the world, but to gain a better understanding of yourself.”

Pellerin paid tribute to parents, friends, and teachers who helped the graduates through the years. He asked his classmates to stand and join in applause for those who had supported them.

“We are all proud to be your children,” he said.

Salutatorian Elizabeth Moreau said some graduates find it hard to leave school and accept change. She urged them to “slow down, stop planning the future and enjoy the present.” That will help them get some perspective on the past and the future, she said.

In his honor essay, Tristan Perry talked about the importance of “the place,” Leavitt Area High School. He spoke about the complexities of understanding time and the difficulty of putting past, present and future within an understandable frame of reference.

Perry told his classmates to appreciate “the importance of now.”

Caiden Leavitt, who delivered the honor oration, said each of her classes taught her some specific but unexpected lessons.

English showed her how to trust herself, she said, as in arriving at an interpretation of a book with confidence in your own judgment.

In science, she learned to accept new and different ideas, and in mathematics she came to understand the importance of tackling large problems and finding solutions. She called it “downsizing obstructions.”

History showed the importance of studying the past in order to comprehend the present, she said.

However, it was gym that held the most important lesson for her. She said, “That’s where I learned to always keep moving.”

Principal Patrick S. Hartnett told the graduates, “You are and have been a remarkable class.”

He praised the seniors’ ability to work independently and he told them, “You need to be willing to engage and willing to dare.”

Hartnett said he believes there are two kinds of people – energy creators who have positive impacts on those around them, and energy consumers who drain initiative from others.

“This is when you need to make a choice of which kind you will be,” he told the 151 graduating Leavitt seniors.

He warned the graduates that “the paths are infinite and the results uncertain,” but he emphasized the solid foundation they have received at Leavitt Area High School and assured them they can expect success.

Hartnett was introduced by class President Alexandra Naylor, who noted that he was a freshman principal four years ago when they, too, were just entering Leavitt.

The chorus sang “I’ve Got a Name” and the band played “The Liberty Bell” by John Phillip Sousa, as well as the National Anthem.

Diplomas were presented by Darlene A. Burdin.

Students at Leavitt in Turner come from Turner, Leeds and Greene.