SACO — Although this spring has been plagued by many cool and cloudy days, on Sunday, the sun was shining bright on the Thornton Academy graduating Class of 2014.

Promptly at 1 p.m., the largest high school graduating class in the state, approximately 370, marched onto the athletic field at the Dr. Paul S. Hill Jr. Stadium as proud family members and friends looked on.

For some, the fact that they wouldn’t be returning to TA in the fall was still setting in.

“It didn’t hit me until this week that I’m going to be gone,” said William Caras, who will attend Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.

Many students said there is much they’ll miss about their alma mater.

Missing friends and teachers was a common theme.

Cheuk Ho “Nero” Ng of Hong Kong said he’ll most miss the people he met from around the world. He will attend Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y.

The “atmosphere” and open campus were things Kayla Tremblay said she would miss as she heads off to the University of Maine at Farmington.

Morgan Burke said she would miss the opportunities TA offered and the diversity. Burke will attend Bentley College in South Waltham, Mass.

“I’m sad I’m leaving my friends behind,” said Jake Gregoire, who plans to attend Thomas College in Waterville. “But I’m excited to move on to bigger and better things.”

“It feels rewarding to finally be done with high school and moving on to a new school,” said Peter Danton, who will attend St. Leo University in St. Leo, Fla.

During the ceremony, Headmaster Rene Menard congratulated the graduates on “reaching this milestone and earning your high school diploma.”

He said the graduation was “a marker of where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished,” as well as a marker for the journey ahead.

Much is expected of the new graduates, Menard told them.

“We have high hopes and great expectations for every one of you,” he said. “We truly believe you will make a difference in the world.”

Class Valedictorian Kent Seneres said he also expects a lot from his fellow graduates. In his message to his classmates, he said each person decides how much they are willing to give of themselves to succeed.

“We set our own limits,” said Seneres. “Push to infinity.”

Class President Devin McGrath-Conwell, a self-described “film geek” who plans to study English and film at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt., used quotes from movies in his advice to his fellow graduates.

“No worries,” a quote from “The Lion King,” spoke to the message that people should temper the stress and pressures of life with taking a little time each day to be at peace, he said.

Another quote McGrath-Conwell shared with his classmates was from the film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” in which a character states, “Always try to see life around you as if you’ve come out of tunnel,” because that’s when life looks brightest.

Look for people who help you find the light, he said.

McGrath-Conwell quoted “The Shawshank Redemption,” which states that the only choices in life are “to get busy living or get busy dying.” His advice was to “get busy living,” even if it isn’t the easiest choice.

In closing, McGrath-Conwell stated, “I have no doubt the contributions of this class will be substantial.”

“Here’s looking at you kid,” he said, quoting a line from “Casablanca.”

“Make your lives remarkable.”

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].