LEWISTON — About 220 Edward Little High School seniors became graduates Saturday evening in a ceremony filled with music, words of wisdom and memories.
“For the former Sherwood Heights students, I greeted you on your first day of kindergarten and, yes, I had to peel some of you off your parents and dry some tears as your principal,” said Katy Grondin, who now serves as Auburn’s superintendent. “Today, I have the honor of shaking your hands.”
Members of the school’s show choir performed the national anthem and the song, “On My Way,” by Phil Collins.
Five of the top seniors addressed their classmates, including Valedictorian Sidney Beecy, whose speech was based on the Dr. Seuss book, “Horton Hears a Who!” She delivered her advice in rhyme.
“Everyone has something that they love to do: basketball, drawing or shopping for shoes. So even if it’s out of the box, share it. Don’t fear that someone will talk,” she said.
During the ceremony, the Class of 2014 recognized its teachers and honored four retiring this year. Steven Galway, the school’s retiring assistant principal, received a standing ovation from the class.
And in a moment of fun in the middle of the serious ceremony, Grondin invited Galway on stage to take a selfie with her as the senior class cheered and waved behind them.
“What’s a selfie?” Galway asked the crowd.
While most of the 220 graduates took four years to finish high school, at least one graduated early. Rahma Ali, 16, received her diploma Saturday after only three years.
“It was a goal since freshman year, to get a head start to college and to graduate with my sister,” said Ali, whose 17-year-old sister, Aisha Ali also received her diploma Saturday.
They both plan to take pre-med classes at the University of Southern Maine.
Anthony Garand said he was excited to look forward to college, too. The 18-year-old will study criminal justice at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire.
“(Graduating) feels awesome,” he said. “I’m ready to take the next step.”
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- Edward Little High School Class of 2014 graduates, from left, Hannah Delong, Taylor Landry, Danielle Rock and Kyle Karkos pose for pictures prior to graduation exercises in Lewiston on Saturday.
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- World history teacher Erin Towns says goodbye to Edward Little High School graduates on Saturday.
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- Taylor Tyrrell and Jake Willows look over the program prior to Edward Little High School graduation exercises in Lewiston on Saturday.
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- Students recognize retiring Assistant Principal Steve Galway with loud applause during the Edward Little High School graduation Saturday. Tears rolled down the cheeks of Galway and his wife Linda following the gesture.
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