MONROE - The Monroe High School Class of 2010 showed the world they have humor and humility at the graduation ceremonies for 202 seniors Sunday in the school gymnasium.
After the processional, presentation of the flags and Pledge of Allegiance, graduate Ciaran O'Neill-Culhane, with wit and wisdom, set the tone for the afternoon ceremony with his welcome speech. Culhane admitted to having been a bit of a rule-breaker in school. He asked the audience to applaud after anything he said and thanked a multitude of categories of people "for being there."
Though his approach was light-hearted, Culhane did present a lesson for life to his classmates. There is no one definition of success, so each person should follow his own version of the American dream, he said to the audience.
Despite the war, poor economy and national debt, "enjoy this moment," he said.
Student speaker and fellow graduate Gail LaVoie reviewed her classmates' maturing moments, those that taught them who they had become.
As freshmen, their place was at the back of the line. As sophomores, they learned about their changing bodies "again," she said. Juniors faced ACT testing, and seniors, at last, reached the pinnacle, only because the class of 2009 left.
Among the sports, jobs, family and friends, "education took precedence," she said.
More than learning dates and numbers, they had learned to "cultivate new answers to old questions," she said, to remind her classmates.
"The world is ours to mold and change and as we see fit," she said.
Math teacher Sam Mathiason gave the commencement address, his first since coming to MHS six years ago.
He used the opportunity to teach the regret of lost opportunities, because at his graduation 21 years ago, no student wanted to give a speech.
Mathiason commented on selflessness, attitude and effort for preparing for the future and reaching one's goals.
He also noted, along with several community organizations, Campion's Champions T-shirts worn by myriad of students, about 50 percent in one of his classes, and he asked that they take time to know what that shirt means.
"You grew up in a community that supports one another," he said.
Patrick Gellings and Abby Kennison received Citizenship Awards, presented by Laurie Plourde, chairman of the Citizenship Committee.
The Monroe High School Acappella Choir with senior choir members, led by vocal music director Judy Bennett, performed "The Call" by Regina Spektor. The Monroe High School Wind Ensemble with senior band members, led by instrumental music director Randel Schneeberger, performed "Fantasy of a Japanese Folk Song," by Samuel Hazo.
After the processional, presentation of the flags and Pledge of Allegiance, graduate Ciaran O'Neill-Culhane, with wit and wisdom, set the tone for the afternoon ceremony with his welcome speech. Culhane admitted to having been a bit of a rule-breaker in school. He asked the audience to applaud after anything he said and thanked a multitude of categories of people "for being there."
Though his approach was light-hearted, Culhane did present a lesson for life to his classmates. There is no one definition of success, so each person should follow his own version of the American dream, he said to the audience.
Despite the war, poor economy and national debt, "enjoy this moment," he said.
Student speaker and fellow graduate Gail LaVoie reviewed her classmates' maturing moments, those that taught them who they had become.
As freshmen, their place was at the back of the line. As sophomores, they learned about their changing bodies "again," she said. Juniors faced ACT testing, and seniors, at last, reached the pinnacle, only because the class of 2009 left.
Among the sports, jobs, family and friends, "education took precedence," she said.
More than learning dates and numbers, they had learned to "cultivate new answers to old questions," she said, to remind her classmates.
"The world is ours to mold and change and as we see fit," she said.
Math teacher Sam Mathiason gave the commencement address, his first since coming to MHS six years ago.
He used the opportunity to teach the regret of lost opportunities, because at his graduation 21 years ago, no student wanted to give a speech.
Mathiason commented on selflessness, attitude and effort for preparing for the future and reaching one's goals.
He also noted, along with several community organizations, Campion's Champions T-shirts worn by myriad of students, about 50 percent in one of his classes, and he asked that they take time to know what that shirt means.
"You grew up in a community that supports one another," he said.
Patrick Gellings and Abby Kennison received Citizenship Awards, presented by Laurie Plourde, chairman of the Citizenship Committee.
The Monroe High School Acappella Choir with senior choir members, led by vocal music director Judy Bennett, performed "The Call" by Regina Spektor. The Monroe High School Wind Ensemble with senior band members, led by instrumental music director Randel Schneeberger, performed "Fantasy of a Japanese Folk Song," by Samuel Hazo.