WISCASSET

A total of 42 Wiscasset seniors dressed in red and black gowns marched through a sea of family and friends who gathered together at the Wiscasset High School gym to celebrate the graduating class of 2015.

Class president Jade Wood was the first to address the graduates at Thursday night’s ceremony, encouraging her fellow classmates to not be afraid of going beyond their comfort zone.

“I’m sure many of you agree that the memories that we have created with each other have been marvelous. But do not let these memories hold you back,” she said. “During every transition … there will always be change — change that you cannot fear. Fear can stop you from blossoming into the person you were meant to be.”

Like Wood, senior essayist and honor student Erika Auger also encouraged graduates to not fear the future.

“The next few years will be like the time when you opened that book and you did not know how to read. You went along with it, and you pretended like you knew what the words said,” she said. “Don’t let the fear of uncertainty — of not having all the answers be the thing that holds you back from pursuing your dreams.”

In her speech, Auger also reminisced of childhood pastimes and toys, and gave some insight as to how these past memories are connected to their future.

“As for ‘Bop It,’” she said, referring to a popular hands-on audio toy released in 1996, “it may follow you to your next steps in life, but rather than the materials that you will be ‘pulling and twisting,’ it will be car parts and lab equipment.”

Following Auger’s speech, senior vocalists Rachael Berry and Charlene Reed and junior Sam Smith performed a poignant cover of “Somewhere in Neverland” by All Time Low. Senior Tyler Flavin also played “Dreams Can Inspire” on his guitar between speeches.

Wiscasset principal Cheri Towle also shared that she had gone through a long list of graduation cliches while preparing for her speech. However, one adage in particular stood out to her: “find your passion.”

“This class has a great deal of passion,” she said. “In fact, if I were to redefine it in Webster’s Dictionary, it should say, ‘See the class of 2015 at Wiscasset High School.’”

French teacher Eva Castor was also a surprise guest speaker the ceremony, and was introduced by Towle as someone “who definitely has made a lasting impression on these students.”

Castor outlined fond and humorous memories that she had shared with each of the graduating students, and she thanked them for helping her become a better person.

“You made me laugh, cry and occasionally snort,” Castor said, drawing laughs. “Most importantly, you taught me to love unconditionally, and for that I am forever grateful.

“You are my family, you are my soul mates, thank you for being you,” she concluded.

Red roses were also handed out to graduates as they received their diplomas.

Towle requested that graduates give their rose to someone who has helped them achieve this important milestone in their life.

“Roses are complex flowers that are evocative of deep feeling, and their structure is mysterious,” she said. “Roses are recognized all around the world to mark significant moments, and they are perfect gifts for graduating seniors — complex, beautiful and ready to open to the world.”