The Carrabassett Valley Academy Class of 2009 are, from left in front, Melissa Raleigh, Makayla Brown, Hope Wilson, Kate Dingley and Morgan Casey; second row, Kare Tonning, Tyler Casey, Hilary Thompson, Alison DiGravio and Cailey Stewart; third row, Dylan Darienzzo, Kyle Tullos, Benjamin Bisson and Eben Sweetser; fourth row, Will Harrison, Marshall LaCroix, John Kilchenstein and Jason Pier; back, Neal Zucker, Alex Tuttle, Ben Morse and Chase Bourgoin.

Former teacher speaks at CVA graduation

CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Carrabassett Valley Academy’s graduating class gathered with faculty, staff, family and friends for commencement on May 30 in the Richard Bell Chapel. Sitting with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background, the 22 graduates were addressed by commencement speaker, Ken Woodard, former CVA teacher.

Woodard told the graduates that “ski racing and snowboarding require perfecting edge-to-edge transitions and your life will be filled with challenging transitions. Today is a milestone in your life. You’ve trained and studied in a very unique environment. You are prepared for whatever life has to bring. Take the lessons you’ve learned here to deal with the transitions that lie ahead.”

Valedictorian Ben Morse, Salutatorian Makayla Brown, the class speaker, Will Harrison, and faculty choice speaker, Dylan Darienzzo, also addressed the assembly.

In addition to receiving their diplomas, several CVA graduates and underclassmen received awards. Morgan Casey received the Headmaster Award. Marshall LaCroix was the recipient of the David Holmes Most Improved Student Award, and Ben Morse was given the Benjamin Weisbein Award in memory of a former student.

Benjamin Bisson received the Town of Carrabassett Valley Scholarship Award. Junior, Kelly Waddle, earned the CVA Alumni Award and Anne Rockwell was awarded the J. Keith Penninger Award in memory of a 1996 graduate.