BIDDEFORD — Wells High School Principal Jim Daly said he doesn’t often get emotional. But on Sunday, while he was addressing the 105 Wells High School graduates and their friends and family at Warrior Memorial Field, he got a little choked up.
At one point, he paused for a moment to gather himself together before continuing.
Daly wasn’t just a proud principal saying goodbye to a “very special class” of students, he was also the proud father of Chad Daly, a member of the Wells High School Class of 2013.
Several years ago, the principal said, he uprooted his family from Arizona because he didn’t like the way his son, who had special needs, was being treated.
When coming to Wells, said Daly, the students took his son in, they “picked him up when he fell” and made him feel welcome.
“My son, Chad Daly, wouldn’t be graduating today if not for these kids,” said the principal.
“I couldn’t have a prouder moment being the principal of great kids and the father of a graduate,” said Daly. “I know great things are coming ahead for each and every one of you.”
In addition to the principal, Salutatorian Laura Kirol addressed her classmates. She urged her fellow graduates to “thank those people who have helped you throughout your life” and to “keep your support system close.”
Valedictorian Zoé Onion spoke about “how we are products of all who came before us,” and that what they do in their lives will affect the future of others.
Commencement speaker Robert Gilpatric, a math teacher at Wells High School, told the students how his life was changed when he was invited to play tennis for the first time. He said he learned to love the game and urged students to be ready and open for a life-changing event.
He also told them about the lessons he learned from tennis. In tennis, said Gilpatric, before a match, competitors warm up together. This taught him the importance of helping others get ahead, he said.
In addition, said the teacher, in tennis, opponents call whether a shot is in or out and this taught him about the importance of trust.
“Giving and trusting may be the hardest things to do,” said Gilpatric, but doing so “is a better way to live.”
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or [email protected].
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