Jake Pantano of North Attleboro, Mass., is hoisted by fellow fire science graduates before they march in Southern Maine Community College's graduation ceremony at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Sunday. The school graduated nearly 1,100 students. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer
Marcedas Hatt of South Portland gets some help adjusting the tassel on her mortarboard from fellow business administration major Katie Irish of East Baldwin as friend Seth Guiod of Portland looks on. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer
Brendan Murphy of Topsham, a bagpipe player with the Maine Public Safety Pipe & Drum Corps, adjusts his bagpipes outside a loading dock at the Cross Insurance Arena before playing at SMCC's graduation. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer
Nsiona Nguizani, center, a business administration major living in Portland and from Angola, prepares to march. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer
Mike Nugent of Wells, a bass drum player for the Maine Public Safety Pipe & Drum Corps, is illuminated by a narrow beam of light backstage at the Cross Insurance Arena. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer
Marc J. Patenaude of Portland throws on his gown after biking to the SMCC graduation ceremony. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer
Schools and Education 
