PORTLAND – Gorham graduates Sunday received their diplomas and encouraging words from class leaders and faculty in commencement exercises at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

Principal Christopher Record welcomed the 193 graduates at the ceremony attended by 1,900, nearly filling the auditorium.

“You look great today,” Record told graduates. “It has been an absolute pleasure to be your principal.”

Eben Benson, class president, thanked the parents and the community. And to his classmates, “You have an ambition in life that will take you far,” Benson said.

“I’ll never forget how great you guys are,” Benson said.

Allison Matthews delivered the salutatory address, inspiring classmates with stories of geniuses like Albert Einstein. She urged classmates to be curious. “I encourage you to be dissatisfied with a static world,” Matthews said.

Sydney Butler, who said the class exemplifies strength, was valedictorian. Butler told classmates that they could go on even after getting “knocked on our faces.”

“True success cannot come without struggle,” Butler said.

Faculty speaker Amy Smith congratulated the graduates as she delivered her final lecture to the class.

“Care enough about something to sacrifice for it,” Smith said.

Smith spoke about the sacrifices of Nelson Mandela and she quoted American author Henry David Thoreau: “Live your beliefs and you can turn your world around.”

Smith donned a pair of dark glasses and delivered a rousing message in rap format. Her advice included “live a life that is quality” and her performance drew a standing ovation from the graduates.

Teacher Darren Panagakos, class adviser, said he had seen the class rise and face new challenges. Panagakos officially presented the graduates to the audience, which stood and applauded.

The senior chorus sang their class song, “In My Life” by the Beatles.

In the opening ceremonies, Ray Cornils, a member of the music faculty at the University of Southern Maine, played “Pomp and Circumstance” on the auditoriun’s Kotzschmar organ and Gorham High School Chamber Singers sang the National Anthem.

During the graduation exercises, the Gorham High School Barbershop Quartet – Mitchell Perrin, Andrew Ernest, Ian Hawkes and Jonas Rimkunas – performed.

Graduates and faculty members wore purple ribbons in honor of three deceased Gorham students – Chandler Hamilton, class of 2010; Timothy Stickney, who was a sophomore; and Kaleb Clowes, a senior who died in May.

Record, in his remarks closing the program, asked the class to take a moment and thank the people who had helped them the past 18 years.

“I’m very proud of every one of you,” Record said. “Remember to make good choices.”

In final goodbyes for many and with women graduates holding bouquets, classmates along with families and guests congregated on Myrtle Street outside the auditorium.

Class officers in addition to Benson are Shannon Wilcox, vice president; Kelsie Kerwin, secretary; and Darrell Kramer, treasurer.

The Gorham Guidance Department reported this week that about 75 percent of the graduates would continue their education.

Members of the Gorham High School class of 2011 turn tassels at commencement exercises Sunday in Merrill Auditorium. (Staff photo by Robert Lowell)