AUGUSTA — Thursday night marked a milestone for all who graduated from Messalonskee High School, probably most of all for Caitlin Douin, whose challenges are just beginning.
The 20-year-old from Sidney, who graduated among the school’s class of 188, has Down syndrome and her parents, Dan and Sue Douin, said it has been difficult to find her a program to educate her after school.
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But the two had nothing but praise for the integrated special education program available to Caitlin at Messalonskee and the students she marched with.
“They always look out for her. They help each other out,” said Sue Douin. “They see if she’s in need of assistance. If her aide is not there, they make sure they’re helping her out.”
And Caitlin was first to hit the stage at the Augusta Civic Center, getting her diploma, then bowing and waving to the crowd, on their feet for an ovation. As she was helped down the stage steps, she yelled thank yous to the crowd.
Before the ceremony, Jonathan Moody, the principal of the high school serving Belgrade, China, Oakland, Rome and Sidney, said the 2014 class was a tight-knit bunch.
“For me, you have epitomized the unity and spirit and love that we want in our school and we want in our community,” he said in his speech.
Valedictorian Amanda Knight brought a stool to the stage, which she said represented the support all students needed from each other and school officials to get through their education so far.
“Remember that you are surrounded by the people who love you most,” she said. “Don’t let this night come shorter than anything you want it to be.”
But Kristen Kern, the class president, had an eye toward the future.
“As you’re going abut your life and years from now, you recognize someone from our class, don’t walk the other way because you’re afraid they won’t remember you,” she said. “I may not remember your name, but we were all a part of something special.”
Caitlin’s not likely to forget.
Her parents called the school and her classmates her world.” At the end of her speech, Knight gave a shout-out to Caitlin, who she said she has bonded with over the past few days.
“We could not ask for anything more,” said Dan Douin. “Everything has been top-notch.”
Michael Shepherd — 370-7652
Twitter: @mikeshepherdme
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