NORTH ANSON — Graduating senior Darren Sheridan recalled the memory of his first day of high school four years ago.
“I was nervous like all freshmen are,” he said in an address to the class of 2013, their families and guests, and faculty and staff at Carrabec High School.
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“And now it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come,” he said. “I am truly proud to have been a part of this class.”
On Sunday afternoon, 69 members of the Carrabec High School class of 2013 graduated in the school’s gymnasium, which was decorated in green and white and included an arboretum draped in ribbons and lights for the graduates to process through. The school serves residents in Anson, Embden, New Portland, North Anson and Solon.
Despite a temperature of about 90 degrees, the students, their families and members of the school community gathered for a ceremony that celebrated their hard work and encouraged them to continue chasing their dreams.
Guest speaker Julia Clukey, an Olympic luger and native of Augusta, gave the graduates three pieces of advice, telling them to believe in themselves, have the courage to try new things and be able to endure frustration at times.
Principal Dr. Regina Campbell also addressed the students, but rather than offer advice, she said she wished to thank them.
“You are an amazing group of students and have made all my academic dreams for Carrabec High School come true. I want to thank you for being the leaders that each one of you are,” she said.
Valedictorian Tucker Atwood, who will attend the University of Maine at Farmington in the fall, reminded his classmates never to forget each other and their teachers at Carrabec. He is the son of Jolly and Heidi Atwood of Embden.
“We have made each other proud so far, and now is the time to go out and make our community even prouder,” said Atwood.
Tucker, along with classmate and salutatorian Sarah Larlee, led the class out of the gymnasium, forgoing the traditional recessional and instead dancing to Matchbox 20’s “Let’s See How Far We’ve Come.”
Larlee is attending Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., next year to study foreign languages. She is the daughter of Hal and Angela Larlee of North Anson.
Michaela Forsten, 18, said it felt fantastic to graduate and that she was excited for the future.
“I’m pumped,” said Forsten, who will attend Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Mass., next year to study painting and drawing.
“It feels like it’s about time,” said fellow graduate Chad Watson, 18. He said he plans to study liberal arts at Kennebec Valley Community College next year.
“But until this fall I’m going to relax,” he said.
Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
rohm@mainetoday.com
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