The Westbrook High School Class of 2005 celebrated the graduation of 172 students on Sunday, June 5, at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

Class valedictorian Karla Schultz, salutatorian Marcus Ziemann and honor essayist Tyler Johnson all spoke at the ceremony.

Senior Class President Adam Roy welcomed everyone to graduation at Merrill Auditorium in Portland on June 5 by looking back at the road the senior class took to get there.

“We can all recall late nights of cramming for finals, or finishing that research paper at the last minute that we had three months to do,” Roy said. “It’s all over now, though. We made it.”

Ziemann said he felt humor was an important key to success in life. “One of the most important things that I’ve learned is that it’s absolutely necessary to have a sense of humor,” said Ziemann. “Don’t take yourself so seriously. You’re not perfect, and there has to be some quirk about you that you can share with others to make them laugh.”

Schultz told her classmates to find a passion in life and to take steps to ensure they are successful rather than just dreaming of success.

“It is infinitely easier to dream a heroic fantasy than to live an ordinary reality,” Schultz said. “Dreaming has its place. It is a quiet sanctuary in which the weary mind seeks restoration. Yet it is not strong enough to grow into an old tree. So I plead to you, make your presence known in this world, and make us smile when we think of you.”

Before distributing the diplomas, Principal Marc Gousse addressed the class as their principal for one last time. Gousse told the class he was proud of their accomplishments and wished them nothing but the best for the future.

“It is the hope of everyone here today that your pathway may be straight and true and that your destination may be paved with happiness and vibrant promise,” said Gousse.

Following that moment, it was time for the class to receive their diplomas. And a short time later, the Class of 2005, diplomas in hand marched out of Merrill Auditorium newly minted high school graduates with their future spread out before them.