SOUTH PORTLAND – Graduating from high school is one of life’s major milestones. For some it’s just another step on the road of academic success, but for others crossing the stage and getting a diploma is a triumph of the spirit over extraordinary circumstances.

When Patrick Trimmer graduates from South Portland High School on Sunday, June 8, his family will be on hand to see him receive the piece of paper that proves he not only weathered difficult times, but that he’s a strong young man to boot.

Trimmer, 19, suffers from a severe anxiety disorder that has prevented him from taking part in many activities and special events during high school, such as attending football games on Friday nights in the fall, participating in an after-school club or even attending prom. Due to his condition, Trimmer’s first response to large crowds and new situations is to flee.

“Graduating is a big deal for me,” Trimmer said. “Even until the end of last year, I wasn’t sure that I would make it.”

On his first day of high school Trimmer first tried to leave, but his mother, Julie Doane, knowing how his anxiety affected him, drove around the block after dropping him off and on the second try was at least able to get him through the doors.

But then, Trimmer said, he simply sat on the closest bench and refused to move as the chaos of the first day of school swirled around him. Trimmer said if it wasn’t for David Brenner, who coordinates the adult education program for the South Portland schools, he wouldn’t have left that bench until the end of the day.

He said Brenner first brought him around to all of his classrooms and then helped facilitate Trimmer’s gradual introduction to his new environment. In fact, for the first week, he spent the school day in the main office, having his schoolwork sent to him there.

Even now, Trimmer has an accommodation plan that allows him to leave class five minutes early so that he can avoid the hubbub in the hallways between classes and that allows him to eat lunch outside the cafeteria.

Trimmer was first diagnosed with anxiety in seventh grade. He is on medication for the condition and said it runs in the family, although his mother, for instance, deals with less severe anxiety or panic attacks.

Trimmer credits reaching graduation day to the help and advocacy provided by his mother, Brenner and assistant principal Joe Moore, each of whom have been his support system during the past four years of high school.

“Mr. Moore helped me so much. He talked to my teachers and helped with my accommodation plan,” Trimmer said. “My anxiety can be debilitating at times, but it’s not always obvious what I’m going through.”

Trimmer said his anxiety attacks can cause sweating and severe stomach pain, but it’s not an obvious condition such as a physical handicap might be. He said it’s taken four years for him to begin to feel comfortable at school and to sometimes be able to speak up for himself.

His goal is to attend Southern Maine Community College and major in the auto tech program, but due to his condition, Trimmer said he would “ease into college,” likely taking only one class the first semester.

Luckily, a few of his friends are also planning to attend the local community college, so Trimmer will have some friendly faces on campus. Trimmer also plans to continue living at home, calling his room, “my sanctum.”

While he’s proud he stuck it out and is graduating from high school instead of dropping out at age 16 as he originally planned, Trimmer has a lot of regrets. While he has a small group of friends, he wishes he’d been able to reach out and create a wider circle of acquaintances.

“I regret not making more friends and not being able to be more outgoing,” he said.

What he hopes his classmates will understand is that even though he did not initiate contact, it wasn’t because he was anti-social or uncaring.

“I would encourage others to give people like me a chance,” Trimmer added. “I would ask them to try to connect with people who are shy or sitting alone. It’s not always their fault that they can’t make the first move and engage in conversation.”

Trimmer said graduation day will be “exciting, but nerve wracking too.” He’s hopeful that marching practice this week will help him feel more comfortable and able to deal with the whole spectacle.

In the audience cheering him on Sunday will be his parents, older sister, grandmother and aunt. “When I get my diploma, it will feel great,” he said.

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A CLOSER LOOK

South Portland High School will hold its annual graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. The event, which is open to the public, will be held at the football stadium, off Nelson Road.

Those wishing to support the scholarship program at the high school can purchase a special “Congratulations Graduate! Proud of our 2014 Red Riot” yard sign. Since 2007 this Dollars for Scholars program has given out more than $85,000 in scholarships. Email Ralph Cabana at rcabana@maine.rr.com to order a sign.

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Patrick Trimmer is set to receive his diploma from South Portland High School on Sunday.