LEWISTON — Graduation is typically a time speakers and schools celebrate their success, and Edward Little High School’s ceremony at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee was no exception Saturday night.

But this night, foibles and faux pas were equally celebrated as speakers tried to spin their past mistakes — falling up the stairs, walking into door frames or leaving their pants unzipped.

It’s the kind of thing that can turn your face red, but it’s also the kind of thing that can make the difference if you have the right attitude.

“Whatever struggles we may have had throughout high school, we all have one thing in common — and that is, we all got through them,” Salutatorian Sophie Harris said. “Without the patience to push through all of these things, none of us would be here today, waiting to receive our diplomas.”

The school handed out 203 diplomas to graduates Saturday, the 189th class to graduate from Edward Little.

All five of the honor speakers — the top five students in the graduating class — focused on mistakes. Kaelina Perron connected tripping up stairs to overcoming obstacles. Abby Bellefleur said that mistakes, like forgetting to zip up, remind us we’re human. Annie Gill reminded her classmates to pay attention and enjoy their lives, lest they walk into a door jamb.

And Valedictorian Zach Tannenbaum said that often mistakes lead us to our best successes — whether or not it was what we intended. His highlighted mistake: missing the toilet.

“Aim for the toilet with your bodily functions, and aim for the moon with your goals,” Tannenbaum said. “And even if you miss, clean up the mess, pick yourself up and put all your effort in finding the best and happiest situation you can find.”

Even Principal Jim Miller urged graduates to embrace their mistakes.

“We should take away from every funny, not-so-funny or embarrassing moments a sense of reflection to understand how each has made us stronger, smarter or simply how to be more masterful of our lives,” Miller said.

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