AUGUSTA — Erskine Academy graduates were urged to keep the school’s four core values — scholarship, leadership, stewardship and relationships — in their minds and hearts by an accomplished alumnus who said those values served him well and will do the same for graduates in their lives and careers.

Zachary Helm, Erskine class of 2005, said the four core values instilled in him at Erskine have been essential in his life and career. Helm is a chemist and researcher at Boston startup company Oasys Water working to develop new technology to filter contaminants from dirty water so it can be reused, technology being used now in China, .

He said scholarship doesn’t end at graduation, that a thirst for knowledge is what drives him and his colleagues to work to change how fresh water is supplied to citizens in the future. He said strong leadership qualities will allow the outgoing Erskine students to rise to the occasion and overcome challenges. Stewardship will drive them to leave the world a better place than they found it and make society stronger. And relationships are how the other three core values will be addressed.

“As you leave Erskine know the core values it stands for go with you,” Helm said. “I know you all can make a great difference in society. Don’t be afraid to make that difference.”

Sarah Pleau, salutatorian, reflected on her grandfather’s words to her that there were three types of people in the world: people who make things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who wonder what happened.

She said as freshmen, her class was mainly made up of youths who watched things happen, and a few who wondered what happened. She said over the years the class came together, through fundraisers, class trips, sports and the challenges of school, to grow.

“And as I stand back and look at our class now, I think of us as those in the world who will make things happen,” she said. “Whether you’re going into the workforce, the Army, the medical field, acting, art, business, engineering, or even a punk rock band, the potential for all of you to succeed and go far in your careers is very high.”

Mackenzie Gayer, second honor essayist, said graduates need to do something they are passionate about, even if others don’t think they can, or should, do it.

“Many people will have advice for you, but no one knows what make you happy or what you want out of life more than you,” she said. “Listen to their advice but don’t let them persuade you away from your dreams. Stick to your gut and heart and choose something you’re passionate about.”

Kayla Googin, first honor essayist, told graduates to trust themselves, put in the effort to succeed in life, find their passion, and immerse themselves in whatever they do and share that experience with others.

Valedictorian Lilja Bernheim, who said she comes from a long line of storytellers including her grandfather and parents, encouraged her fellow graduating class members to tell their own stories, listen to those of others, and connect to their friends and family through their stories.

As graduates in their blue gowns waited nervously an Augusta Civic Center hallway for the ceremonies to start, school administrators walked down the hall and congratulated them, individually.

A large video screen above the stage showed close-ups of graduates as they marched in, and audience members pointed and waved as their particular graduate entered the civic center auditorium on camera. Flashbulbs flashed as Pomp and Circumstance played.

The parking lot was nearly full as family and friends streamed in as graduation time neared.

The school’s chorus, jazz combo and band, each with multiple graduates as members, teamed up for a jazzy rendition of the song “Route 66,” before graduates presented their class gift — a laptop computer to be used for a future technology project — to the school in appreciation, Pleau said, of all that Erskine has given them.

Keith Edwards — 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @kedwardskj

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