RUMFORD — Justin Roy was thrilled to graduate from Mountain Valley High School on Thursday night.

“I worked my way up and I’ve worked hard,” said the senior wearing a gold honor sash.

His thoughts were similar to the 84 other classmates: “Awesome!” “Great!” Bittersweet!” “A feeling of accomplishment.”

Class President Alex Parent thanked families for support and the teachers for motivation.

“And I thank our classmates. It was quite a ride,” he said.

Parent was also the first RSU 10 student board representative from Mountain Valley High School.

Valedictorian Katie Billings encouraged classmates to change the way they look at things.

“Nothing is a failure unless you allow it to be. It’s how we respond to hard times, and ultimately, we’re in control,” she said. “If success doesn’t come, use the knowledge you’ve gained to try again.”

Class marshals Jacob Theriault and Abby Day led the graduates in and out of the high school gymnasium and as they stood, or sat, just before lining up to receive their diplomas from Principal Matt Gilbert. As each student’s name was called by Assistant Principal Chris Decker, hoots, hollers and cheers went up.

The biggest cheer was when Alex instructed the class to move their tassels from one side to another, indicating each was now a high school graduate. Then the caps were thrown in the air to loud cheers.

Gilbert said this year’s class is one of the smaller ones in recent years.

To try to keep students safe by providing activities during the last week of classes, he said more than 75 participated in a school-sponsored barbecue in the pouring rain Monday. Nearly that many traveled to Portland on Tuesday night to shop at the Maine Mall or attend a movie.

The senior banquet was held at the gym Wednesday night, and after graduation Thursday most graduates were getting on a school bus to travel to Boothbay to participate in a night of food, games and other activities.

Mountain Valley’s graduation was the first of the three to be held in RSU 10’s high schools. On Friday, about 65 students will graduate from Dirigo High School in Dixfield, and on Saturday night, about 45 will graduate from Buckfield Junior-Senior High School.