Valedictorian Alyssa Urquhart told her fellow graduating seniors Thursday she had given much consideration to her senior essay.
Rejecting humor or “an inspiring quote from an inspiring song,” she instead spoke about the turning point in life that is high school graduation.
Then, Urquhart turned to the coziness of life in Wiscasset, Maine.
“We have spent a lot of time together as this small group in a small town,” Urquhart said. “In a way, we were lucky. We didn’t have to keep meeting new people. Most of us could probably name any person we passed in the hallway on a regular basis.
“When we leave these halls, it will be a big change for us.
Urquhart was one of 37 seniors clad in Wiscasset High School red — five more than last year — to graduate Thursday as Principal Deborah Taylor; Patricia Watts, acting superintendent in Regional School Unit 12; and Hilary Holm, chairwoman of the RSU 12 Board of Directors, presented diplomas.
Urquhart and Ryan Hanley gave brief senior welcomes, and Megan Corson and Heidi Pinkham provided a musical performance.
Urquhart then proceeded with her essay, which employed a quote from an astronaut.
“An astronaut named Chris Hadfield once said, ‘Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become.’ That is so true. You have the power to change your life, so don’t be afraid to use it.”
Corson delivered another senior essay, speaking of the “roller coaster” that is life in high school.
She then recalled the tragic passing of Gauge Barnes, who died when he was a freshman.
Corson recalled the first day of school that year.
“Not only was it great to meet new people and see all my friends again,” she said, “but it was even better to get the chance to reconnect with one of my friends that had moved so many years ago, Gauge Barnes.
“We are all children in various stages of growing up, but if I have learned anything throughout my time here, it’s how fragile life can be. In the blink of an eye life can change and it is our job to live our lives to their fullest capacities.
“From experience in English class discussions, I can say that we have tried numerous times to grasp the exact ‘meaning of life,’ but nothing has a bigger life less than losing one of our very own classmates.”
In her essay, Eva Walker thanked one of the most important persons in her life: her mother.
“I want to thank my mom for helping me grow into the woman that I have become,” Walker said. “She has been one of my role models throughout my life.”
lgrard@timesrecord.com
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