BIDDEFORD — “Persevere,” “pursue your dreams” and “believe in yourself” were among the words of advice given by speakers to the 222 graduating seniors of the Biddeford High School Class of 2011 on Sunday.
Despite the gloomy day, the seniors’ excitement was apparent as they celebrated moving onto the next chapter in their lives.
Graduate Jaimee Beatson said she was looking forward to “being out on my own,” although she said she would miss her BHS classmates. Beatson plans to continue her education at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.
“It’s hard to believe this is the day we’ve been waiting for the past four years,” said graduate Alyssa Drapeau, who plans to attend Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I. to study event planning.
Graduate Joseph Drew said he’s looking forward to “starting a new chapter” in his life, but added, “I’m going to miss the community here.” Drew said he will attend the University of Maine in Orono honors program in the fall and eventually go on to medical school.
After students marched into the Tiger Gym and took their places on the risers, a number of senior class and student council officers spoke prior to the distribution of diplomas.
“The elementary, middle school and high school years have all flown by,” said senior and class secretary Laura Letellier, and “today is our day to celebrate our accomplishments.”
Class President Noah Berube emphasized that his class has grown up amidst the proliferation of new technology and social media like text messaging, Twitter and Facebook.
Class Valedictorian Hilary Lariviere said that as she and her classmates go out into the world, they will have a great deal of responsibility. She cautioned her fellow students to take care that “our words, thoughts and actions not affect the world in a negative way.”
She also said that their happiness will depend on their ability to be happy “with the person we are” and they should not let others define them.
In addition to students, several adults also passed on words of wisdom to the new graduates.
“Teachers prepared you with a world-class education,” BHS Principal Britton Wolfe told the students, adding that it now is was up to them to make their mark in the world. “You are our hope,” he said, and he enjoined them to “hold onto your dreams.”
Mayor Joanne Twomey urged the graduates to not follow conventions but to make their own way in the world. In addition, she said, “Never give up. The only person who can stop you is you.”
Guest speaker Paul McDonough, a recently retired BHS social studies teacher, said he was very moved that the senior class asked him to speak. He advised the Class of 2011 to “step up to the plate,” take part in the world, “be the steward of your future,” and go after their dreams. But even when they move on, he said, to “never forget you’re a Biddeford kid of the finest character.”
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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