SANFORD — All the graduates should be proud and so should their parents, their siblings and the faculty ”“ that’s what one Sanford High School graduate had to say Friday night as he stood in line, waiting for the high school band to strike up “Pomp and Circumstance.”
“Everyone here should be proud,” said Reese Hodge, standing with his classmates on the field at Cobb Stadium, waiting for the next chapter in his life to begin.
“It’s been a wicked long wait,” said Eric Berube, who was talking both about waiting in line to march and the long years in school that began with kindergarten and culminated with Friday night’s ceremony. “Now it’s all coming together.”
D.J. Ashline clutched a red rose in her teeth as she adjusted her cap.
“I’m overwhelmed,” she said. “And I’m glad my parents are here.”
Julie Caron admitted to being nervous about the ceremony, but is looking forward to the dental hygienist program at University of New England in the fall. Hodge is headed to Southern Maine Community College for its business program, while Berube said he’ll be looking for a job.
The green field was a sea of students clad in red and white caps and gowns, 254 in all, waiting to receive their diplomas from Superintendent of Schools David Theoharides, Sanford School Committee Chairman Don Jamison and Sanford High School Principal Jedediah Petsinger.
As the Class of 2012 gathered for one last group photo, Patrick Adams held up his iPad and honed in on the group ”“ his son, Joshua, among the graduates ”“ capturing the moment forever.
“I’m proud and excited,” he said of his son’s graduation.
There was a lot of pride on the field. A lot of hugs, a lot of camera shutters clicking, a lot of smiles ”“ and perhaps, before the ceremony concluded, a tear or two.
Teacher William Ferguson gave the charge to the graduates, likening them to seedlings being readied for the
garden.
“Sooner or later they have to go out and take their chance in a sea of troubles, and so it is with you,” he said. “You’re ”¦ beautiful when you bloom.”
Natalie Ledue gave the salutatory address, telling her fellow students they’re important because of what they have done ”“ and what they can do.
“I see budding actors and actresses, published authors and directors, young mothers and fathers, first-generation Americans, first-generation college goers, pilots, CNAs, inventors, models, cancer survivors, and students who have made it through brain surgery. ”¦ You are all important,” she told her fellow classmates.
Valedictorian Stacy Livingston spoke about courage and bravery ”“ students who have survived illnesses or persevered through a variety of personal challenges.
“I’ve been privileged to share four years with some of the bravest people,” she said.
As they stood ready to receive their diplomas, Livingston spoke of the future, and of Sanford High School and her fellow classmates.
“We’ll carry these four years in our hearts,” she said.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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