NORTH ANSON — Graduating senior Alaena Merrill leaned into the podium and spoke fondly of the eclectic mix of students at Carrabec High School.
“When the hicks and the hippies all come together, it’s a really good time,” she quipped.
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It was a casual affair Saturday at the Carrabec High School, which serves residents of Anson, Embden, New Portland, North Anson and Solon. In less than an hour, 34 members of the class of 2012 breezed through a graduation ceremony that put a greater emphasis on humor than gravitas.
Merrill and classmate Zachary Browne — who sported mirrored aviator sunglasses and a goatee — knocked out a rendition of The White Stripes’ “We’re Going to Be Friends,” and often forgot the words
Guest speaker Richard Roberts, a retired Carrabec High School teacher, favored simple advice over sweeping aphorisms: Don’t borrow money. Dress well. Pray for a good boss, he said.
Before presenting diplomas, Principal Regina Campbell offered a single piece of advice to the departing seniors.
“Call your mother. Talk to mom, talk to dad,” she said. “And when they call you, pick up.”
Then the 34 seniors strode across the stage, collected their diplomas and turned their tassels. Four students graduated with high honors. Twelve students graduated with honors, three of whom were National Honor Society students.
Next, graduate Caitlin Levesque approached the podium to present her farewell speech, but she was overcome by emotion. For more than a minute, Levesque fought back tears while her classmates offered shouts of encouragement. At one point, an audience member walked up to Levesque and handed her a tissue. Then, the principal joined Levesque and read a portion of the speech until the graduate regained composure and bid her classmates a final good-bye.
As a recessional, Modest Mouse’s “Float On” thumped out the PA system, and pairs of graduates skipped out of the gym and into the parking lot where they hollered and cheered alongside their beaming parents, siblings and friends.
Spencer Shaw said the journey toward graduation day seemed eternal at times.
“Finally,” he said. “It feels wonderful.”
Next year, Shaw will attend Hampshire College, in Amherst, Mass., to study journalism and activism — a decision that was spurred by his first-hand experiences at Occupy Wall Street in New York.
Fellow graduate Michael Cote said he plans to emulate his father — a 25-year veteran of the Air Force — and join the service next year.
As the crowd began to dwindle, a late-model pickup truck rolled to a stop on North Main Street directly in front of the school. Inside, a young man sat at the wheel with a blond-haired graduate at his side. The two peered briefly at the school, then the driver stepped on the gas, spun the tires and left the school in a cloud of dust and smoke.
Ben McCanna — 861-9239
bmccanna@centralmaine.com
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