While the sun beamed bright overhead and a large crowd of family and friends watching on the field, the Lake Region High School Class of 2007 held their commencement ceremony Sunday, June 10.

Principal Roger Lowell gave a light-hearted class welcome and talked of the senior “pranks” that were “generally amusing” and reminisced – with a smile – of the senior awareness hiking trip, where he had a cooler of ice dumped on him. Following Lowell to address the crowd were each of the top three seniors in the class: Courtney McClean, Gabrielle Tomkinson and Ian Biggers.

“This day is to remember all the good times as well as the memories that have taught us something as we move forward toward our future,” said Courtney McClean during her valedictorian address. “We shouldn’t let ourselves believe that we are already the people we will remain for the rest of our lives.”

Gabrielle Tomkinson, the salutatorian, talked about globalization in her address and the downfall of sending jobs overseas.

“If we do not demand a change, all of our jobs and intrinsically our welfare are in great danger. As newcomers to the real world where our everyday decisions make a difference, we must push for reform,” she said.

Ian Biggers, the honor essayist, was playful with his speech. “I have a few memories that have stayed with me and they bring up all different emotions…as seniors we valiantly swept homecoming and winter carnival, our last prom, physics day at Funtown, and all of our senior activities.”

Continuing with the playful nature of the 2007 class was the guest speaker, Stephen Edwards, a retired SAD 61 educator, who had taught many of the seniors in the past. After 41 years of teaching, he came up with a list of things “he learned or should have learned” during that time. Inspired by David Letterman and his top 10 lists, Edwards asked 10 different questions to help him present his ideas. They were:

10. Get out and Vote.

9. Do not fear, volunteer.

8. What’s in your wallet? (a.k.a. Beware of credit cards!)

7. Have a plan, but be flexible.

6. Money truly isn’t everything.

5. Try a little kindness.

4. Do your best.

3. Create change. (“You may not be able to change the world, but you can change your corner of it” he said.)

2. Be safe, don’t drink and drive.

1. We all need somebody to lean on.

After singing a rockin’ version of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” as the class ode, the seniors changed tassels and threw their hats into the air. Kristine Hamaty, a senior who will be attending the University of Maine at Orono in the fall, remarked about how exciting it was to be done with high school.

“It was so nice we were able to have the ceremony outside, although it is kind of hot,” Hamaty said.

Her mother, Jayne Hamaty, fought back tears saying, “Kristine’s my youngest child, the last one. It’s just very bittersweet.”