Emotional commencement as Scarborough High graduates remember lost classmate.

SCARBOROUGH – When Kevin Grondin’s name was called at Scarborough High School’s graduation ceremony Sunday night, it was a joyful moment during a poignant night.

Audience members erupted into a long applause, standing and clapping while Grondin, injured in two recent auto accidents, walked with Principal Patricia Conant to receive his diploma, and continuing until after he had taken a seat back down on the stage alongside his classmates. When the applause finally subsided, someone from the audience shouted, “Love you, Kev!”

The Cumberland County Civic Center hosted the graduation of the 2010 class of Scarborough High School, a ceremony marked by the painful and recent loss of one of their own, senior Steve Delano, who died on May 8 when the car he was driving collided with a truck as he drove three passengers to the Gorham High School prom.

Among the passengers in the car, Grondin not only suffered serious injuries, but also the loss of his best friend. He was then involved in a second car accident on June 7 when the pickup truck he was driving crossed the centerline while he was driving south on Route 1 in Scarborough, colliding head-on with a tractor-trailer truck. Less than a week after this second accident, Grondin’s presence at the graduation inspired the standing ovation.

The graduation ceremony took place for the first time at the civic center because the 2010 class is the largest ever to graduate from Scarborough High School. This year, 286 students received their diplomas, and their families and friends filled up half of the civic center to watch them proudly march in to the tones of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

The night was a mix of emotions as students celebrated their achievements and reflected on their time at Scarborough High School and their class’s spirit of togetherness, which has only become greater due to the recent tragedy.

“Scarborough High School class of 2010, this is our last night together – that’s real. Steve Delano should be up here with us, but he’s not, and that’s real,” said class President Naomi “Mimi” Abrams. “In the past few weeks our class has come together in a way I can’t describe and I’ve never been more proud to be a part it.”

Students wore camouflage ribbons pinned to their red robes in memory of Delano, who often wore camouflage pants and loved hunting and fishing.

“Right now when we think about Steve we feel pain and sadness, but eventually time will heal that and his memory will always make us smile,” concluded Abrams. “Whatever that memory is, there is comfort in knowing that we all went through it together.”

Several students spoke at the commencement ceremony, including salutatorian Katie Golojuch and valedictorian Adam Salz.

The audience laughed when Salz recalled earning the nickname “the virus confuser” after he had suggested during an AP Biology class, where he was a nervous sophomore among upperclass students, that people should simply confuse viruses in order to fend them off. He further used a virus analogy to inspire his fellow seniors to find out who they really are instead of just attaching themselves to the next available host.

“As you set off for college, the military, or work, take the extra time to learn about and define yourself. Maybe there are abroad programs, job opportunities, or military branches you hadn’t even thought of exploring. The only person that can answer any of this is you,” said Salz.

English teacher Eric Klein, who addressed the class of 2010 on behalf of the faculty, urged the graduates to recognize that insecurity and adversity are a necessary part of life if you aspire to greatness.

“There is a rather strange mix of emotions here tonight,” Klein said. “There is a great wave of excitement – as there should be – as we celebrate your accomplishments. There is a great spirit of confidence that fills the air as you look toward the future. Yet there is also the gripping fear of insecurity as you consider where your lives will lead you.

“It would be remiss for an English teacher not to address this paradox,” he continued. “Therefore, I have a simple message for you: Insecurity is good.”

As a former athlete and coach, Klein would often hear people from the sidelines comment how nice it would be just to have an easy game.

“No! Easy games aren’t nice,” said Klein. “They are mediocre and forgettable.”

The class of 2010 already knows too well that life sometimes throws a curve ball. Klein remembered Delano as a great kid to be around who had a contagious smirk and beamed with positive energy.

He recalled a time when one of Delano’s classmates struggled with a presentation in front of the class. Delano, said Klein, walked up to other student afterward, clapped him on the back and told him he did a great job.

“We lost an incredible young man, for Steve did not fear adversity,” said Klein.

Niels Doughty raises his arms in celebration after receiving his diploma at the Scarborough High School graduation held Sunday at the Cumberland County Civic Center. (Photo by Rich Obrey)