Page 7 - Newsletter_Winter_2021

Houlton Graduates Enter Next Chapter

By Joseph Cyr ‘89
Asst. Editor and Senior Reporter for the County Papers

HOULTON , Maine -- class to move up to the high selfless, dynamic, empathetic,
Houlton’s Class of 2021 has school building, many of us thoughtful, and caring teacher in
endured many challenges, were excited, but we were also the classroom.
extending beyond the Covid disappointed that no sixth-
pandemic, but that did not deter grade graduation would mark “A sensitive individual, [Morse]
the hearty group of 85 graduates our transition to junior high. often teared up reading ‘The Art
from enjoying this year’s After the initial shock, we of Racing in the Rain’ and other
commencement ceremony. showed resilience navigating the moving stories to the class, and
halls of Houlton High School, we all witnessed his emotional
Class trips, band and choral joining middle school athletic response to the yearbook
concerts and annual play teams, band, and chorus, and dedication,” Cyr said. “This
productions were but a few of auditioning for musicals. We authenticity makes students feel
the many traditional events that showed future classes that with special in this often-impersonal
were unable to be held this year grit and determination sixth- world.”
because of the coronavirus. The graders could excel in the high
class was also the first group school building.” Morse said he was humbled to
of sixth graders to make the be selected as the guest speaker Sidney Peabody, second honor
move to Houlton Middle High Salutatorian Gabe Fitzpatrick and was overjoyed by the efforts essayist- Photo by Joe Cyr ‘89
School, joining students in impressed the audience by the class put forth in their final
grades 7-12, back in 2014. reciting his speech from year.
memory, after a gust of wind
Students gathered at the high blew his papers off the podium. “It goes without saying that this
school parking lot earlier in the Fitzpatrick encouraged his peers school year has been challenging,
evening for a parade through to actively seek discomfort and but you pulled it off with
town before arriving at the chase experiences even if they elegance, grace, understanding
Houlton International Airport did not want to. and a real sense of teamwork,”
for an outdoor graduation Morse said.
ceremony. It marks the second “I am standing at this podium
straight year that the school has right now because I did not Valedictorian Dina Kortesky
held its commencement outside avoid unpleasant tasks,” he said. challenged her peers to create a
at the airport. “I did not enjoy homework. I better world around them in her
remarks.
did not relish studying. But I
Featuring a drive-in style saw the long-term benefits of
graduation, family members education.” “Take pride in your potential, DeWayne Morse, Assistant
were asked to remain inside their and when the world tries to Principal and Guest Speaker
vehicles, except when it was He also recalled how he bring you down, lift the world – Photo from Past Article
time to receive their diplomas overcame a fear of driving up,” she said. “After all, what
on the stage erected inside the following a traffic accident that lies before us will be more
airport hangar. While no outside destroyed his vehicle. “It took challenging, yet more thrilling, "I am standing at
spectators were allowed to time, but eventually I decided than ever. When we meet again
attend the event, the ceremony that I was done with fear,” at our reunion, we will not be this podium right
was broadcast live courtesy of he said. “I sat in my car, and the individuals we are today.
WHOU-FM. even though I was extremely The faces will be familiar, yes, now because
uncomfortable, I began to drive. but we will have changed in
Class President Drew Foley When you attack fear, you take monumental ways. I look
welcomed those in attendance back control, grow as a person, forward to seeing your new I did not avoid
and spoke on the district’s word and bolster your persistence.” ‘best!’”
of the year “resilience.” unpleasant
Isabel Cyr, first honor essayist, Sidney Peabody, second-honor
“I do not think any other word introduced the evening’s guest essayist, recited the class ode tasks"
more perfectly describes the speaker, Assistant Principal prior to the conferring of
Class of 2021,” Foley said. DeWayne Morse. She said diplomas.
“When we first heard that we the class described Morse as a
would be the first sixth grade
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