Portland High School senior Jessie Wright smells her rose while waiting to enter Merrill Auditorium for her commencement ceremony on Thursday.
Portland High School seniors Bryant Peterson, left, and Mason Martell climb the stairs to the stage at Merrill Auditorium during their commencement ceremony Thursday.
Clay Hardy-Lindsey returns to his seat after collecting his diploma during Portland High School's commencement ceremony Thursday at Merrill Auditorium.
Portland High School Assistant Principal Kimberly Wike hugs her son Dylan Wike after handing him his diploma Thursday at Merrill Auditorium.
Aminata Alongisa Nzemo and her family perform a traditional celebratory dance from the Democratic Republic of Congo outside Merrill Auditorium after Portland High School's graduation ceremony Thursday.
Casco Bay High School seniors line up to walk into Merrill Auditorium for their graduation ceremony Thursday.
Casco Bay High School seniors cheer as their classmates walk across the stage at Merrill Auditorium to get their diplomas.
Casco Bay High School graduates celebrate the moment.
Joanna Ingabire hugs a friend in a crowd of graudates and families outside Merrill Auditorium after graduating Thursday from Casco Bay High School.
From left, Esmé Howland, Lillian Thorne and Thompson Lynch smoke celebratory cigars after graduating from Casco Bay High School on Thursday at Portland's Merrill Auditorium.
The class speaker, Machar Nguany, greets his friends and family outside Merrill Auditorium after the Casco Bay High School graduation.
Hafsa Adbi poses for a photo with her diploma outside Merrill Auditorium after graduating with her class from Casco Bay High School.
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