WESTBROOK – With more than 1,000 family members and friends looking on, members of Westbrook High School’s class of 2014 received their diplomas Saturday during a spirited ceremony at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

Leading their classmates onto the stage during “Pomp and Circumstance” were class marshals Rachel Germaine and Austin Blake, all smiles despite the obvious nerves.

Morgan Rielly, class president and also the salutatorian, set the tone of the commencement speeches by asking the class of 148 students to realize their accomplishments before turning to the future.

“As we stand here, nervous but excited for the future, I encourage my fellow classmates to soak in this moment, because success is not just this diploma we’ll be receiving, it is the hard work that has gotten us to this point,” he said.

Graduates Delaney Baither, Rachel Lloyd-Taylor and Aidan Rodier sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and the Senior Chamber Singers sang the Beatles’ “In My Life.”

Prior to the conferring of diplomas, speakers included School Committee member Veronica Bates, Principal Jon Ross, honor essayist Jordan Gattine, Rielly, and valedictorian Amber Wallace.

Bates, charged with offering a formal greeting for the graduating class, told students not to fear making mistakes while finding their way after high school.

“If you don’t make mistakes, then you aren’t trying, you aren’t living, you aren’t learning” she said. “Mistakes make you a better person.”

Ross offered the class, and the audience, a glimpse into the future, stating that students of this generation will face more competition for jobs and must be equipped to adapt “in a rapidly changing world.”

However, he said, Westbrook students, through internships and other extended learning opportunities may have an advantage.

“The opportunities that this class of WHS graduates have experienced will give them an advantage as they transition to the world beyond WHS,” he said.

He also took the opportunity to rib his senior class for their use of their cell phones during school.

“Take the time in your life to turn off the technology,” he said, adding, “There’s no core curriculum in the future. The whole place is an elective.”

In examining the future, Gattine, the honor essayist, told his fellow graduates not to lose sight of experiencing new things while working toward careers after high school.

“Don’t let life pass you by,” he said.

Rielly told the audience that his optimism for the future stems from his interviews of multiple Maine World War II veterans, which resulted in a book he wrote that was released in May.

Wallace said to her classmates that they each played a role in “impacting and influencing each others’ future,” and shaped who they are today.

“Freshmen year most of us weren’t sure what we liked, or what we wanted to do four years down the road,” she said. “But here we are now, ready to delve in to whatever comes next.”

Wallace said that each student had been molded by the teachers and staff of Westbrook High School, as well as families and friends, and she thanked them for their support.

“The love and support you’ve provided us with has been paramount to our success,” she said. “We couldn’t have made it through without you.”

Ross, Superintendent Marc Gousse, and School Committee Chairman Jim Violette were charged with presenting students with their diplomas, which was followed by the ceremonial “changing of the tassel,” led by Rielly.

Sydney Sanders, valedictorian of the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center, gave concluding remarks.

Sanders told her classmates to “always go where your heart leads you,” adding that she believes the class will achieve great things.

On Monday, Gousse reflected on the ceremony, saying that he is proud of the graduates.

“Nearly one third of the kids who walked across that stage graduated with honors,” he said. “It is pretty awesome.”

Thirty-seven of the 148 seniors graduated with a GPA of 93 or higher.

“It was a great day for all the kids, and all the families,” Gousse added. “It’s a wonderful culmination of 13 years of hard work and dedication.”

Westbrook High School senior Saleh Elhag snaps a photo of classmates Danielle Williams, Rob Cannell and Nicole Kirkpatrick as they wait for their marching orders before Saturday’s commencement ceremony at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.  Class Marshal Rachel Germaine prepares to lead the new Westbrook High School graduates from the stage at Merrill Auditorium.

WESTBROOK – With more than 1,000 family members and friends looking on, members of Westbrook High School’s class of 2014 received their diplomas Saturday during a spirited ceremony at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

Leading their classmates onto the stage during “Pomp and Circumstance” were class marshals Rachel Germaine and Austin Blake, all smiles despite the obvious nerves.

Morgan Rielly, class president and also the salutatorian, set the tone of the commencement speeches by asking the class of 148 students to realize their accomplishments before turning to the future.

“As we stand here, nervous but excited for the future, I encourage my fellow classmates to soak in this moment, because success is not just this diploma we’ll be receiving, it is the hard work that has gotten us to this point,” he said.

Graduates Delaney Baither, Rachel Lloyd-Taylor and Aidan Rodier sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and the Senior Chamber Singers sang the Beatles’ “In My Life.”

Prior to the conferring of diplomas, speakers included School Committee member Veronica Bates, Principal Jon Ross, honor essayist Jordan Gattine, Rielly, and valedictorian Amber Wallace.

Bates, charged with offering a formal greeting for the graduating class, told students not to fear making mistakes while finding their way after high school.

“If you don’t make mistakes, then you aren’t trying, you aren’t living, you aren’t learning” she said. “Mistakes make you a better person.”

Ross offered the class, and the audience, a glimpse into the future, stating that students of this generation will face more competition for jobs and must be equipped to adapt “in a rapidly changing world.”

However, he said, Westbrook students, through internships and other extended learning opportunities may have an advantage.

“The opportunities that this class of WHS graduates have experienced will give them an advantage as they transition to the world beyond WHS,” he said.

He also took the opportunity to rib his senior class for their use of their cell phones during school.

“Take the time in your life to turn off the technology,” he said, adding, “There’s no core curriculum in the future. The whole place is an elective.”

In examining the future, Gattine, the honor essayist, told his fellow graduates not to lose sight of experiencing new things while working toward careers after high school.

“Don’t let life pass you by,” he said.

Rielly told the audience that his optimism for the future stems from his interviews of multiple Maine World War II veterans, which resulted in a book he wrote that was released in May.

Wallace said to her classmates that they each played a role in “impacting and influencing each others’ future,” and shaped who they are today.

“Freshmen year most of us weren’t sure what we liked, or what we wanted to do four years down the road,” she said. “But here we are now, ready to delve in to whatever comes next.”

Wallace said that each student had been molded by the teachers and staff of Westbrook High School, as well as families and friends, and she thanked them for their support.

“The love and support you’ve provided us with has been paramount to our success,” she said. “We couldn’t have made it through without you.”

Ross, Superintendent Marc Gousse, and School Committee Chairman Jim Violette were charged with presenting students with their diplomas, which was followed by the ceremonial “changing of the tassel,” led by Rielly.

Sydney Sanders, valedictorian of the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center, gave concluding remarks.

Sanders told her classmates to “always go where your heart leads you,” adding that she believes the class will achieve great things.

On Monday, Gousse reflected on the ceremony, saying that he is proud of the graduates.

“Nearly one third of the kids who walked across that stage graduated with honors,” he said. “It is pretty awesome.”

Thirty-seven of the 148 seniors graduated with a GPA of 93 or higher.

“It was a great day for all the kids, and all the families,” Gousse added. “It’s a wonderful culmination of 13 years of hard work and dedication.”

Westbrook High School senior Saleh Elhag snaps a photo of classmates Danielle Williams, Rob Cannell and Nicole Kirkpatrick as they wait for their marching orders before Saturday’s commencement ceremony at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.  Class Marshal Rachel Germaine prepares to lead the new Westbrook High School graduates from the stage at Merrill Auditorium.