LEWISTON — Lewiston High School held its summer graduation ceremony Monday night, adding more members to the Class of 2018.

The school holds a ceremony in June and another in August for students who need more time to complete their work. Twenty more earned their diplomas this month, with 19 marching Monday night.

The ceremony at The Green Ladle was complete with the blue caps and gowns, songs, families and teachers, and heartfelt speeches.

Graduate Adam Libby said that from the beginning of his freshman year “to a few weeks ago, I never really thought I’d be here graduating.”

Despite hardships and troubles, “I made it, a little later than the rest of my class,” Libby said. “These past four years have been the most challenging in my life. I disappointed a lot of people. I lost friends. I lost family. It’s hard going to school when you don’t believe there’s anything for you.”

He said he missed many days of school. He failed classes and had to go to summer school. His teachers and friends didn’t give up on him, encouraging him to keep going. He joined after-school activities like theater and the school newspaper. That made a difference, Libby said.

“I learned so many things, like facing my fears, specifically my fear of public speaking,” he said to laughter.

Asked about what he’s doing next, he said, “To be honest, I’m not sure.” But his school experience has helped him get serious about working hard, he said.

Libby offered advice for high school students: “Surround yourself with people or things that make you happy. Get the motivation you need to keep going. Face your fears, and please, just do your work.”

The second student speaker was Hamza Ali, who grew up in Djibouti and came to Lewiston as a boy. He thanked his parents “most of all,” who pushed him to keep going. 

“Thank you to the teachers for not giving up on me when I was suffering from senioritis, which started my freshman year,” a joke that brought laughter from the audience.

This summer was difficult making up for lost time and lost credits, Ali said. “I have found my strength I never had before in academics.” He came to school every day “and did my best. It is hard. I did it. We did it, guys.”

Ali plans to go to prep school, then college. 

The keynote address was by Donald Ferarra, incoming principal of the Longley and Martel elementary schools. As a boy growing up in the Boston projects, he wanted to become a teacher, he said. After high school, college wasn’t in the cards for him. Years later after getting laid off in a bad economy, his wife told him, “‘It’s time.'” He went to college and became a teacher.

Looking at the graduates, Ferarra told them, “Never lose the resilience that brought you here today.”

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

English teacher Linda Iverson stands on chairs to give Matt Barrett a hug after Barrett graduated at the Lewiston High School summer commencement at The Green Ladle on Monday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Ayan Ali celebrates as she passes friends after graduating with 19 other seniors during the Lewiston High School summer graduation at The Green Ladle on Monday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Adam Libby shakes hands with Lewiston High School Principal Jake Langlais after receiving his diploma during the summer graduation at The Green Ladle on Monday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Hailey Caron, right, and Mariah Acevedo Lugo line up prior to the start of the Lewiston High School summer graduation at The Green Ladle on Monday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Mariah Acevedo Lugo and Alinoor Deqow walk during the Lewiston High School summer graduation at The Green Ladle on Monday.  (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Allana Martin graduated from Lewiston High School with 19 others at The Green Ladle on Monday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Hamza Ali reaches to shake Lewiston School Committee member Megan Parks’ hand as he walks up to receive his high school diploma Monday at The Green Ladle. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

possible pull qote:

 

“Thank you to the teachers for not giving up on me when I was suffering from senioritis, which started my freshman year. I have found my strength I never had before in academics.” — Hamza Ali, Lewiston High School graduate

 

 

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