BATH

If it’s tradition you’re into, Morse High School has it in spades.

Prior to Sunday’s graduation exercises at McMann Field, the city trolley went up and down Congress Avenue, its bell clanging. They still sing “The Blue and the White” during special occasions like this. There’s still a concert high school band.

Judging by the words of students chosen to speak Sunday,

Morse students live this tradition.

“This is our house,” third honor essayist Samuel Leeman said, in front of bleachers packed with onlookers.

“Never forget whose house this is,” said commencement speaker Monica Frempong, chosen for the honor by teachers. “Never forget the blue blood that pumps through in the Morse victory song. Always remember Morse. Remember Shipbuilder pride.”

Leeman, Frempong, second honor essayist Elizabeth Walfield, first honor essayist Lucy Rawson and co-valedictorians Bryn Carr and Clare Tolan all spoke of high school memories and that path that lies ahead.

Patrick Manuel, Regional School Unit 1 superintendent, outgoing Principal Peter Kahl and RSU 1 Board Chairman Tim Harkins awarded diplomas to 141 graduates.

Frempong, a student representative on the RSU 1 board, spoke of the opportunity she had to come here from her native Ghana. Her grandfather, Frempong related, had won an immigration lottery. Frempong then spoke her grandfather’s words in her native language, and translated them into English.

“Remember where you came from,” Frempong said. “I remember the dirt roads outnumber the paved ones in my country. My grandfather wanted me to remember the people who worked hard, and might never see anything else in life.”

Rawson asked her classmates what they might want to do in life if money were not the object.

She recalled that of the many emails she has received from her mother, one caught her attention the most. In it, a man asked the question “what do you desire?” and followed that with the question regarding money.

“I’m as guilty as others who have thought you cannot live out your true passions,” Rawson said. “The video ended, and I got to thinking. To my fellow classmates, I truly hope that you all pursue what makes you itch.”

Rawson noted that her mother, a veterinarian, has done just that.

Following graduation, students and alumni took part in a farewell party for the grass surface that has hosted thousands of games on McMann Field.

Today, workers will begin tearing up the grass, to be replaced by a synthetic surface that will be ready for games this fall.

lgrard@timesrecord.com