With only an occasional breeze, and umbrellas popped up in the audience for shade, 152 Lake Region High School seniors received diplomas in a floral bedecked ceremony Sunday.

Bottles of cold water were as popular as the speeches during the commencement ceremony held at the school in Naples. After marching in while the Lake Region High School band played, many of the women in the graduating class utilized programs as fans.

As proud parents snapped pictures, Lake Region Principal Roger Lowell shared tales of some of the class’ memorable events in its senior year. Lowell said to graduates, “Welcome to the event you’ve worked most of your lives for.”

Valedictorian Abishag Suresh said the class is entering a new season in life. “Never forget these years,” Suresh said.

She spoke of friendships and said the class would “carry with us” the memories and lessons. She called the class’ school years a joyful time.

“God bless and good luck to the class of 2008,” Suresh said.

Salutatorian Molly Shaw expounded on the class memories of pep rallies and bonfires. Shaw said Lakes Region High School meant more than just a building.

For advice, Shaw quoted several teachers and added some parental wisdom from her dad – “Most people don’t recognize opportunity because it comes disguised as hard work. We have a great deal of living and learning ahead of us when we leave today,” Shaw said.

Honor essayist Amanda Place said the freshman year seemed like “forever” ago. “We are finally done,” Place said.

She said high school had been more than academics. “It’s about making friends and memories that are not easily forgotten,” Place said.

Place said ready or not most of the class would leave home this fall, leaving family and friends. “I believe that we all be able to go out achieve what ever it is we reach for,” Place said.

Class president Krysti Leach wished her classmates well and Timothy Strain, class treasurer, recognized past accomplishments and future potential. “I wish you nothing but the best,” Strain said.

School administrators cited the class’ accomplishments and bid it farewell with words of guidance. In his message to graduates, Dr. Stewart Sulloway, chairman of School Administrative District 61, congratulated the class. “It’s a beginning of the rest of your lives,” he said. “The learning doesn’t stop here.”

SAD 61 Superintendent Frank Gorham applauded the class’ achievements. Gorham spoke about the importance of voice. “It speaks of your character,” Gorham said. “I ask you to treat people fairly with your voice.”

Gorham urged graduates to use their voices in a positive way. “You have answers that we haven’t heard yet, Gorham said.

Gorham encouraged graduates to set their goals high and that they would be expected to take responsibility. “It’ll take courage,” Gorham said.

“I wish you great success,” Gorham said.

Lowell, Gorham and Sulloway handed out diplomas on a white stand on the field. The band played under the direction of Paul Greenstone. The national anthem was sung by Brittany Denbow, Evelyn Hainesworth, Christopher Madura and Marcus Strout.

After the class song “Here I Go Again on My Own,” by the band Whitesnake, was performed, the graduates as a body raised their hands. After the graduation ceremony, graduates flung caps with jubilation aloft.

As they prepped for the ceremony, two seniors explained what graduation meant to them. Josh Bonneson will be going to Southern Maine Community College to become first a surgical assistant in preperation to becoming a surgeon. “It’s amazing,” Bonneson said before his graduation Sunday. “I can’t believe I made it.”

Tony Calileo said graduation was scary. “We’ve been on this track now and it’s stopping. It’s exciting for the same reason,” said Calileo, who is planning a career in photography.

Cutline (LRHS 3) (LRHS 6) – At Lakes Region High School, Caitlin Grant receives her diploma Sunday from principal Roger Lowell. (LRHS 9) – Staying cool, Lakes Region High School graduates stir air with programs during graduation Sunday.