BUCKFIELD — Thirty-nine Buckfield High School students marched into the gym filled with parents and relatives who came to see their loved ones receive diplomas Saturday night as the first graduates of Regional School Unit 10.

Salutatorian Kristen MacBride told the students that the things they worried about never happened, while the things they could never imagine did.

“Regardless of what happens in the future with friends, family and faith, we can make it through,” MacBride said.

Valedictorian Brittany Wiley praised teachers for pushing students along, thanked parents for support and quoted Tom Brokaw, saying to graduates, “Think of this as your ticket to change the world.”

Resident entertainer Mike Miclon challenged the students to discover what they wanted in life, to set goals, find a mentor, ask a lot of questions, invest in dreams with time, money and heart, demonstrate progress to others, persevere, have patience and fulfill their dreams.

“Anyone from this community can do this,” Miclon said. “This community is an amazing place to live. We’re here for each other.” He quoted St. Francis of Assisi: “He who works with his hands is a laborer, he who works with his head is a craftsman, but he who works with his hands, head and heart is an artist.”

Principal George Reuter welcomed the students by saying, “This is just a stop along your journey, which will be long and exciting.”

Assistant Superintendent Gloria Jenkins told the students, “The best congratulation you receive is the one you give yourself. You need to realize what you have accomplished.”

The top 10 students were Brittany Florence Wiley, Kristen Anne MacBride, Chelsea Anne Warren, Savannah Nicole Wescott, Fred Creamer Parks, Jedidiah Robert Allen, Ariana Hali Andrews-Wilson, Ashlee Danielle Hamann, Aaron Todd DeWitt and Cassandra Marie Bubier.

Fourteen other honor students reflected more than half of the class as honor students.

At an awards ceremony held Wednesday night, Valedictorian Brittany Wiley received 10 awards and scholarships. Thirty-five awards and scholarships were given to 21 other students.