RUMFORD — Class of 2015 President Corbin Arsenault told the hundreds gathered for the graduation of Mountain Valley High School’s 71 seniors Thursday evening that they are much different now than when they were freshmen.
“We have had the most diverse time,” Corbin said. “We’ve seen schedule changes, two vice principals, and many, many buckets,” referring to the pails stationed around the school to catch water from major leaks in the roof in the winter of 2014.
But buckets aside, Corbin said, “It’s the people in the school. We’ve had each other and our class became more tight-knit over the years. As we all leave today, I hope we can all appreciate all the good times and memories,” he said
Principal Matt Gilbert said the class found an opportunity to turn everything into a positive, including weaving around the dozens of buckets collecting melting snow and ice.
“I think they’ve enjoyed their time here,” he said.
When the final diploma was presented and the class song, “Small Town” by John Cougar Mellencamp, was sung, brightly colored confetti and beach balls fell as grads turned their tassels and tossed their caps into the air.
Many wore caps decorated with the school logo, sequins, glitter, bows and ribbons. One teen created a fishing pole with a fish dangling from his cap.
Most graduates were heading to Mt. Cranmore in Conway, N.H., for an all-night graduation party Thursday. They will return to the school early Friday morning.
As is the graduation custom, seniors passed Gilbert an item to symbolizing their class. This year, it was a nail or a screw and a note saying, “Thanks for keeping us together over the years.”
71 — Graduates in the Class of 2015
56 — Going to college
14 — Going into the workforce
1 — Joining the military
Class song: “Small Town” by John Cougar Mellencamp
Class motto: “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.”
How the class will be remembered: “The Class of 2015 has been extremely flexible during their four years adapting to many challenges. They truly understand what is means to be a Falcon,” Principal Matt Gilbert said.
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