Resiliency was the theme of the night at Sanford Community Adult Education's Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday.
The SCAE Class of 2023 had all taken different paths to graduation. Along the way, there were struggles and setbacks, but every graduate displayed that characteristic on their journey to Wednesday night.
Superintendent Matt Nelson defined that word during his speech at the ceremony: The ability to withstand or recover from difficult conditions. Resilience involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that anyone can learn and develop.
"The skills you've learned at Sanford Community Adult Education have served you well, so when you do come up against an obstacle, or experience a step back, remember that resilience you have demonstrated at SCAE," Nelson said. "Everyone has a story and has taken a different path to get here tonight. Be proud of your story and be proud of taking action."
Katherine Osmer was the Class of 2023's student speaker at the ceremony. She urged her classmates to continue challenging themselves after graduation and do their best to impact society positively.
"Congratulations to all of you for accomplishing this major step in the journey of your life," Osmer said. "From here moving forward, I want to remind you to take chances. And take a lot of them because no matter where you end up, it always ends up the way it should be. You'll learn to grow with each choice you make. We must continue to learn and evolve as individuals. To use the knowledge and skills we've acquired to make a positive impact in the world around us."
Rotary President Elias Thomas was the Keynote Speaker for the graduation. He urged the Class of 2023 to create awareness and take action.
"Each of us has a place in the community and in the world that we find ourselves," he said. "You are that piece. You are the missing piece that's going to pull everything together because you've been given the skills and education to do that."
State Office Representative Pamela Buck then spoke to deliver a comment from U.S. Senator Susan Collins.
"The graduation credentials each of you received is proof of your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals and to strive towards these goals. The faculty, staff, and administration of SCAE have created an outstanding learning community that has dedicated to your success," Collins said in her statement.
Jayne Perkins then delivered the Director's Address. When she took over at the Director of SCAE, Perkins promised to provide a respectful, relevant, and safe learning environment. Wednesday's ceremony was a culmination of her promise.
"To every single graduate, when you came in, I did not expect the wave of emotion to come over me. I felt it from everyone in the room as well," Perkins said. "It's important to embrace every part of your story to accept who we are and to know when we need to push forward. The courage and resiliency you demonstrated each and every day was inspiring."
Perkins also presented scholarships donated by York County Senior College to Gabriella Dyer, Shannon Kendall, Corey Lyon, and Julianna Willey.
Congratulations to the following graduates: Ashton Armstrong, Alex Barrett, Brooke Beckwith, Tessa Buckley, Max Bradbury, Rose Caverno, Elijah Demers, Gabriella Dyer, Tyler Estes, Thomas Ferrin, Tristin Hale, Gemma Howard, Garrett Karwanski, Shannon Kendall, Corey Lyon, Jasmine Millington, Caleb Noble, Katherine Osmer, Alyssa Palmer, Joshua Rousseau, and Julianna Willey.
A special thank you to SCAE's staff: Lisa Merlin, Operations Manager; Sheri Tweedie, Administrative Assistant; Noreen Parent, Administrative Assistant; Kate Points, Career Advancement/Navigation Specialist; Elizabeth Daly, College and Career Advisor; Allison Brewster, Academic Instructor; Jeff Grace, Academic Instructor; Risa Grace, Academic Instructor; Christina Parks, Academic Instructor; David Ramsay, Academic Instructor.
You can watch the ceremony on WSSRTV's YouTube page here.