Sunapee
The commencement, inside the Sherburne gymnasium, began with the playing of the traditional Pomp and Circumstance by the Sunapee Middle High School band, included the awarding of nearly $42,000 in scholarships and recognition of high school teachers John and Karen Gosselin for 40 years at Sunapee.
Seniors Conor McKee, Taylor Santti and Katherine Titus presented the class history, where each senior stands while the highlights of their high school careers are read aloud.
Palin, who will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall, began her remarks by thanking family, friends, faculty and staff for joining them in celebrating the final step in their high school academic careers and for giving them the tools to achieve their goals.
“I thank you for the hands you have had in our undeniable success, as each and every one of us is destined for greatness next year,” Palin said.
She went on to single out several students and their senior projects — a short film on World War II, a painted mural donated to David’s House and a completely restored tractor — which demonstrated the diverse and ambitious nature of the graduates.
Their paths after graduation will take them in an equally many different directions, Palin said.
But it is the closeness of the class — some have been together since preschool — and what they have learned together, that Palin said has meant more to her than her individual accomplishments and experiences, and it is what she will miss the most.
“… Above all else, I will miss the only constant aspect of my roots here. That being you all,” Palin said.
Quoting author Mary Shelley, Palin said “childhood friends always have a certain power over us that later relationships seldom equal.”
“So, please, Sunapee Middle High School Class of 2016, ‘when you get where you’re going, don’t forget to turn around.’ ”
Titus, who will also attend the University of New Hampshire, also recognized the accomplishments of the class, both in athletics and academics, noting the class was third in the state in English and third overall in a 2015 standardized test.
“These graduating seniors are to be commended for graduating through this school system, because it was not easy,” said Titus. “These graduates worked for their diploma and they are some of the hardest workers I have ever seen.”
But the effort they put into their passions is what will carry them to success, Titus said, mentioning, as Palin did, several senior projects.
“These seniors will leave this school with the tools they need to succeed, but it will be their passion that drives them to success,” she said.
After Palin spoke, diplomas were handed out to loud applause and a standing ovation as the ceremony concluded and graduates marched out to begin a new chapter in their lives.
Jacob Berio, Radford University; Shantel Camber, Central Maine Community College; Issaiah Chappell, Mount Ida College; Samuel Coverdale, workforce-lineman; Cole Cruz, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Meagan Curry, Emmanuel College; Samantha Downey, University of Rhode Island; Hayley Emery, Roanoke College; Genna Grimes, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Lexie Hamilton, Colby-Sawyer College; Olivia Hamilton, Simmons College; Joshua Levasseur, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Jordan Lewis, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Rachel Malanga, Westfield State University; Roy McGill, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Conor McKee, Rochester Institute of Technology; James O’Brien, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Kevin O’Brien, Plymouth State University; Valedictorian, Abigail Palin, University of New Hampshire; Michael Platt, University of Utah; Benjamin Pollari, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Benjamin Rickard, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Benjamin Robinson, Bentley University; Taylor Santti, University of New Hampshire; Laura Sullivan, Westminister College; Matthew Tenney, Southern Maine Community College; Salutatorian, Katherine Titus, University of New Hampshire; Sofia Villarreal, Air Force.
