SANFORD — High School graduation is an ending – and it is a beginning. In Sanford on Wednesday, as the Class of 2018 gathered on the field at Cobb Stadium, it marked not only the end of their high school careers, but the end of an era at Sanford High School.

It would be the last graduation ceremony on the field. The class of 2018 would be the last to graduate from the campus at 52 Sanford High School Boulevard. It is also the 47th — the first was in 1971. The class of 2019 will graduate from a new building, one a few miles down Main Street, on Alumni Drive.

But Wednesday night, graduation night, belonged to the class of 2018.

Most of the 209 graduates will go their separate ways, but friendships forged in high school will be remembered, and some will continue to flourish.

“Our high school friends will always be our high school friends and they will always mean something to us,” said Salutatorian Jenna Beaudoin.

Keynote speaker was science and technology teacher Harry Spiliopoulos.

“Don’t be afraid when something new or different comes, along,” he told the graduates. “Be resilient, and go with the flow. If you don’t like the direction life is taking you, take another direction. Ultimately, it is up to you where you go in life. Good luck in your journey.”

Earlier, before the ceremony, graduates dressed in red and white gowns gathered on the field to snap photos, to chat, and to pose for the big group photo. This year, in a departure from the past when female students wore white and male students wore red, graduates could chose either color.

They talked about their future plans, and about graduating.

Abigail Mitchell has enlisted in the U.S. Navy and will depart for basic training in August. “I want to serve my country,” said Mitchell.

Joscelyn Towne will head for Washington County Community College in Calais, where she plans to begin a course of studies that will culminate in a degree in psychiatry. After WCCC, she said she plans to transfer to the University of Maine, either to the Orono or Farmington campus. Sydney Clendaniel is headed to York County Community College for two years and when to the University of New England, where she plans to study pediatric occupational therapy. Montana Moore has enlisted in the U.S Marines, and Cassidy Vaillancourt plans to take a year off before pursuing a career in nursing. Kol Muise plans to work and travel; Owen McGrath will head for Curry College in Massachusetts to study sports communications. Amber Singleton finished high school in December and came back for graduation — she’s working and is already certified as a dental assistant.

“This is a big day,” said Muise of graduation.

“Its bittersweet,” said Jessica Bucklin, who plans to attend Mercy College in New York to become a veterinary technician. “I’m excited and nervous, and I will miss my friends.”

The students marched across the field to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the Sanford High School Band.

As they talked of beginnings and endings, Beaudoin had another piece of advice.

“Use today as a starting point, rather than an ending,” she said.

“Soon we will be leaving this place for the real world, a world of opportunity,” said Valedictorian Sophie Cote. “Let us live our ideas and strive toward the lives we imagined.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.