FREEPORT – The number 13 may be considered unlucky, but for the 121 graduates of Freeport High School, 2013 is anything but, said James Purdy in his senior address June 15 at the school’s commencement ceremony at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

“For the superstitious, the number 13 has always been associated with either bad luck, misfortune or both,” said Purdy, the class Valedictorian who will attend Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., this fall. “Hotels often remove the 13th room on a floor, and even the 13th floor, and I am sure we are all familiar with the doom that circles Friday the 13th. So here we are, the impish 2013 class now associated with this unlucky number. After all, Apollo 13 made it back to earth and our flag does have 13 stripes, but what makes our class unique is what unifies us, the class of 2013.”

Purdy went on to list 13 examples of what he thought made the class unique, the sum total of the positive accomplishments more than negating any superstition surrounding the number 13.

He delivered his speech to a crowd of 1,900 parents, grandparents, siblings and well-wishers who turned out to bid the graduating class adieu. Due to the overwhelming demand for seats, the ceremony was moved from the Freeport High School gymnasium to the plush confines of the Merrill, a historic performing arts facility that has played host to John Philip Sousa, Vladimir Horowitz, George Gershwin, Jessy Norman, Jerry Seinfeld and Alvin Ailey. The building itself brought out a number of musical references, including ones by keynote speaker Rich Robinson, American Studies teacher at Freeport High, who sang and occasionally danced his way through a speech that used “The Wizard of Oz” as a metaphor for lessons in courage, intelligence and most importantly, heart.

“Because you learn to love and respect your family, they return that love and respect,” said Robinson.

As a gay man, Robinson said, he used his own experience in courage to highlight the importance of staying true to yourself.

“You know me and you know what I am,” said Robinson. “But like the cowardly lion, I lacked the courage for too many years to be myself. This is a grand and glorious world that in part has to do with the diversity in people. As juniors, you learned about the importance of identity. One aspect of mine is most different from anybody here. I mustered the courage after many years to embrace that aspect of myself and with that has come a wonderful measure of self-respect and integrity in my community. What I wish for you is that when you leave us and go off into the great world, that you will come to know yourself and come to celebrate yourself.”

Even after five years in his capacity as principal, Bob Strong said it’s never easy to say goodbye.

“It’s a phenomenal class, they’re very focused,” said Strong. “It’s sad, it’s almost like you really feel that void after feeling such a connection. They’re adults and you’re very proud. I think the kids are very excited to be the first class to graduate here at the Merrill.”

A larger-than-anticipated senior class was the impetus behind the change to the larger venue according to Regional School Unit 5 Supt. Shannon Welsh.

A concern about a lack of seats in the traditional venue for the Freeport High graduation led school officials to seek a better alternative, especially after they learned that this year’s senior class was so large.

High school can be about adjustments, and for Nicole Harrison, who transferred from Messalonskee High School in Oakland this year, being the new kid worked out great, said her mother, Suzanne Johnson,

“She adjusted extremely well and played varsity soccer, varsity softball, and made friends instantly,” said Johnson. “Freeport High School worked out great for her and she’s really excited for this day.”

The ceremony also featured a flower ceremony, a tradition at Freeport High, where graduates handed flowers to people who helped them through the four-year experience. The flower ceremony was accompanied by a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 ballad, “Landslide,” performed on acoustic guitar by Riley Werner and sung by Brittney Shelton. The choice of song for the recessional, sung by both students and faculty, was “I’m Shipping Up To Boston,” an Irish-tinged punk rock song by the Boston band the Dropkick Murphys, which has become an unofficial anthem for the city and New England after the Boston Marathon bombings in April.

The total amount of scholarship money awarded to the class of 2013 was $81,640, and 87 percent of graduates will be attending college in the fall, higher than the national average of 66 percent, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor.

“Let your experiences in high school make you a better person, and use them to succeed in whatever path you may follow,” said Purdy in his speech. “Whether it is joining the service, entering the work force, taking a year off or furthering your education, I know that we will proudly represent Freeport High School. I hope that the world is ready for what this class has to offer.

American Studies teacher Rich Robertson’s keynote address included audience participation, a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and the announcement that he was getting married.
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