WATERVILLE -- Casey Smedberg leaves Temple Academy knowing exactly what she wants to do with her life.

The 18-year-old senior from Oakland plans to go to Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., and major in English and political science.

"I want to go into law, eventually," she said. "I knew I wanted to go into law and I already love writing, so I thought it would be a good combination."

A straight-A student, Smedberg is the valedictorian of the class of five graduating seniors. At commencement ceremonies to begin at 6 p.m. June 7 at Calvary Temple Church on West River Road, she will speak about her classmates and what they have to offer the world, she said.

"It's been fantastic," she said of Temple, where she also has played soccer and basketball.

Others who will receive high school diplomas at Temple are Myriah Cottle, James Novak, Arielle Rossignol and Dennis Walker.

Because of the small class size at the nondenominational Christian school, Smedberg said she received a well-rounded education, students received individual attention from teachers -- and they got to know each other well.

"It felt more like a family atmosphere," she said.

The daughter of Mark and Kathy Harris-Smedberg, Casey is part of only the third graduating class at Temple, according to Principal Bub McSpadden.

"For a while, Temple only went to the eighth grade," he said.

Temple, which opened in 1977, serves students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Elementary school students pay $2,500 per year plus a $500 fee for books and other necessities; and high school students pay $3,500 per year plus the $500 fee.

"This year we have 125 (students) and we have 133 enrolled for next year," McSpadden said.

Students who attend, and their families, are members of 21 different churches, including Baptist and Nazarene churches, he said.

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com