From left: Kaitlyn Talbert, Linnea Andersson, Grace Greene, and Emily Gilliam prepare to enter the Wiscasset Middle High School gym for the class of 2024’s commencement ceremony the evening of Thursday, June 6. (Piper Pavelich photo)
Wiscasset Middle High School graduated 21 students on Thursday, June 6, in a ceremony that highlighted their individual abilities to step into the next phase of life after experiencing many firsts and lasts together.
The commencement ceremony took place the evening of Thursday, June 6 in the school’s gymnasium.
Graduates were lead into the ceremony by valedictorian Christopher Seiders and salutatorian and class president Emily Gilliam. The commencement exercise then opened with remarks from Gilliam, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, performed by music teacher Matthew Gordon and Gilliam and fellow graduating senior Linnea Andersson.
Class advisor and teacher Deb Pooler delivered a speech during the ceremony, sharing highlights from the year and voicing her appreciation and admiration of the graduates. The class of 2024 is Pooler’s last class of advisees before she retires.
“I love you all,” Pooler said to the graduating class.
Gilliam reflected on the last academic year spent with her classmates, and noted that the memories they share will always keep them connected.
“No matter who we become or where we end up in life, we will always be the 2024 graduating class from Wiscasset High School, and I’m glad I’m walking the stage with all of you tonight,” Gilliam said to the other graduates.
Despite the act of graduating typically signifying a time to say goodbye to dear friends that contributed to year’s worth of memories, Gilliam encouraged graduates to hold onto the people they care for.
“While some goodbyes are inevitable, other times it’s best to just say, ‘See you later,’ … I’ll see you all later,” Gilliam said.
Class vice president Grace Greene commended her classmates for sticking together through tough times, notably the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greene noted that she cannot wait to see what her fellow graduates make of themselves in a world that now belongs to them.
“In our class alone, we’ve got future teachers, physical therapists, carpenters, mechanics, park rangers, game wardens, foreign diplomats, scientific researchers, CDL drivers, and so much more,” Greene said. “While we all have different paths, it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. We are the future, and I know we will do good things.”
Class secretary Linnea Andersson admitted she is feeling how every recent graduate is likely feeling: nervous. She then thanked classmates, friends, family, and other supporters for helping her build strength and confidence to take on a new phase of life.
“Now as we close one chapter and flip to the next page, we take the first steps down a divergent pathway … Growing up as we did was beautiful, even though some journeys were filled with dreams and disappointment,” said Andersson. “The future isn’t something we enter; the future is something we create… If any of you take one thing away from this speech, it’s once a Wolverine, always a Wolverine.”
Following speeches, Wiscasset Schools Superintendent Kim Andersson handed graduates their diplomas. Students shook hands with Wiscasset School Committee Chair Jason Putnam, Wiscasset Middle High School Principal Sarah Hubert, and Pooler, who turned each graduate’s tassel.
The recessional was led by Seiders and Gilliam. Once graduates exited the gym, they went in search of loved ones to share their excitement and celebrate their accomplishment.
