AUGUSTA — Seniors from Oak Hill High School in Wales were smiling Monday evening as they received their diplomas at Augusta Civic Center.
The 73 seniors marched into the ceremony where family members, friends and staff welcomed them and shared in their joy.
The red, white, and blue colors were a reminder that these young adults will help to shape the future of the country. Senior Samson Lacroix has already enlisted in the U.S. Army, following in the footsteps of a brother and sister.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid,” Samson said. “I leave in 14 days. I love my country.”
Valedictorian Emma Weissenfels moved to Maine four years ago after spending most of her childhood following her father across the country during his military service. Her family lived in Virginia for a few years before deciding to settle in Maine.
“The state of Maine won my parents over, hands down, and my heart grew excited as I pictured my new home,” Weissenfels said. “It is more beautiful than I could have hoped for.”
She said it felt good to settle down and be part of a class during her high school years.
“It’s the first group that I’ve stayed with,” Weissenfels said. “I’ve watched the class grow. I’m proud to be a member of this class.”
She also told the crowd she was pleased to graduate from a small high school where people get to know each other and where teachers and staff care about the students.
She said if her family had stayed in Virginia, she would have attended a high school of 2,300 students and been “a face in a sea of teenagers.”
“I tell you, I would not want to be at any other school because you all are here and here is home,” Weissenfels said.
Senior Abbey Dodge challenged her classmates to look at their high school years as a stepping stone.
“We have so much more to look forward to, and there is so much better out there for each and every one of us,” she said. “High school is mediocre at best, it’s not how you want to be remembered. Move on and experience life, because these 687 days have been building you up for your future; don’t live in them forever.”
Salutatorian Kayla Veilleux challenged the graduates to learn from the good and bad times in life and treasure the memories.
“Rely on your family and friends to be there for you when life gets tough,” she said. “You don’t have to face it all alone. Your mistakes are not what define you and your challenges in life only make you stronger.”
The evening had some lighter moments. Prior to marching down the aisle, Oak Hill faculty members took one last opportunity to warn students that the ceremony wasn’t the place to act up.
“I wouldn’t want to have to tackle one of you,” Principal Patricia Doyle joked.
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