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06/01/2009
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Photo by Jeff Poulandfrom the Kennebec Journal
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That was the urging of Arnold Shorey, principal of Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, who addressed 130 seniors at Maine Central Institute's commencement exercises, held Sunday inside the Wright gymnasium.
"If you are able to believe in yourself, you are willing to work to achieve your goal," Shorey said. "If you believe in yourself, you will be willing to take risks, possibly fail, and get back on your feet to try again," Shorey said.
For Shorey, a 1985 graduate of MCI, the message held special significance. His son, Andrew, was among this year's graduating class.
Shorey served as dean of students at MCI from 1996 to 1997. He became assistant principal at Warsaw Middle School in Pittsfield in 2000, then principal at Nokomis in 2005. Starting in July, he will be assistant superintendent of schools for the new Regional School Unit 19.
Shorey noted that he knew many of the graduating MCI seniors while he was in his last year as assistant principal at Warsaw. He rattled off a laundry list of jokes he called "Friday Funnies" and memories from that Warsaw class, while recounting the seniors' latest successes at MCI.
"Think about the obstacles that you have overcome," Shorey said. "... It takes a tremendous amount of courage and strength to get up and to try again."
Also speaking were valedictorian Linh Hoai Nguyen and salutatorian Donhathai Sutassanamarlee.
Nguyen, who is from Vietnam, talked about her journey, meeting new friends and learning to change her outlook and expectations. She plans to attend Cornell University as an engineering major.
"Living with all these wonderful but different people the past two years has changed me, and I am a better person because of it," Nguyen said.
Sutassanamarlee, from Thailand, expects to study linguistics at Ohio State University.
Noting that she is a Buddhist, Sutassanamarlee said her religion's concept of reincarnation can be seen also as the "re-creation of oneself" by pursuing one's passions. Since coming to the United States, Sutassanamarlee said, she has discovered tennis, which "has been a defining force, the priority in my life and the source of personal success for the past three years."
"I have learned that life is rich and meaningful when we are engrossed by our passions, but I have also learned that life is richer and more meaningful when we are open to all the world has to offer," she said.
MCI Headmaster Christopher Hopkins said he was proud of the class of 2009 for exemplifying the school's theme this year of citizenship, through community fundraisers, service projects and attendance at a lecture serieson the topic. Hopkins said he hoped the experiences have taught the seniors about citizenship and sacrifice, "for the good of others."
Scott Monroe -- 861-9253
smonroe@centralmaine.com
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