Morning Sentinel
Winslow High graduates urged to pursue dreams, take chances
BY ALAN CROWELL
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 06/05/2008

WATERVILLE -- Cohesive, free of cliques, a great group of individuals.

Winslow High School English Teacher Jared Goldsmith used those words to describe the Winslow High School Class of 2008 at that school's 107th commencement exercises Wednesday.

"They are the type of kids that I would have no problem baby-sitting my kid. They are that good," said Goldsmith, who sang an original song during the ceremony entitled "The World's All Right for Love."

With a short walk across a stage in Colby's Wadsworth Gymnasium, about 120 Winslow High School seniors became graduates Wednesday night, leaving behind their high school career, but not the bonds of friendship that made them stand out to their teachers and classmates.

Michelle Sirois, president of the class, said her best memories of the past four years are of those times her class did things together.

"We love to joke around. We laugh so much. Everybody is very kind, just getting along with everyone," said Sirois.

In comments during the commencement, Sirois estimated that each of the seniors had been asked "Where are you going to school next year," or "What do you plan to study," an average of at least once a day since January.

That questioning could be annoying, said Sirois, especially when the senior had no idea what their career path would be.

But she said she came to realize "what is important is not what we are going to do, but who we will become along the way."

Through the years, Sirois said the members of the Class of 2008 had been identified by physical features, their names, their computer passwords, license photographs and social security numbers.

What is truly impressive, however, is how the members of the Class of 2008 have come together from several different towns and formed an identity of their own, said Sirois.

"We have worked hard and we have been lazy, probably more of the latter this past year. We have lost certain privileges and we have dealt with those losses. We have established this identity by the memories we made," she said.

Whatever their plans after high school, Sirois said the class will continue to be identified by social security numbers and driver's licenses, but she said those impersonal bits of data do not define them.

Paraphrasing the words of a professor at Queens College, Sirois told the group to hold onto what truly sets them apart.

"I am telling you to follow your dreams, to take chances, to be who you want to be. Don't let adversity stand in the way of who you become," she said.

Elisabeth Cheesman, vice president of the class, said there were no words to describe her feelings upon graduation.

"It is a fantastic feeling. I am excited and nervous and thrilled and scared all at the same time. Looking ahead and looking back," Cheesman said.

What has made the experience of the past four years so special is being able to share it with her family and so many close friends.

"It is great because everybody is just friends with almost everybody," she said.

Alan Crowell -- 861- 9244

acrowell@centralmaine.com

Bookmark and share this story: digg del.icio.us Reddit


Reader comments

Click here to view or add reader comments