Sanford High School held its 133rd Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, June 3, at Alumni Stadium, gathering graduates from the Class of 2026 alongside their families, faculty, and friends for an evening of celebration and reflection.
The ceremony opened with music, as the SHS Chorus performed "May the Road Rise to Meet You," followed by the SHS Band with "Salvation Is Created." Teacher Erin Murphy-Putnam then delivered the charge to the graduates before the evening's student speakers took the stage.
Salutatorian Annalise Stimmell opened her address by walking her classmates through the shared journey of their school years: the excitement of kindergarten, the eagerness to reach middle school, the anticipation of high school, and the long countdown to graduation. Her message to graduates was a simple but meaningful one: stop waiting for the next milestone and start appreciating where you are. "Instead of sitting around and waiting for the next big thing to come along, enjoy the journey you take to get there," Stimmell told her classmates. "This moment will soon be a memory. Never again will you be here, sitting with your class, graduating from Sanford High School."
Valedictorian Isabella McCall followed with an address grounded in resilience, confidence, and self-compassion. Drawing inspiration from the television series "Ted Lasso," McCall encouraged her classmates to "be a goldfish." To acknowledge setbacks without dwelling on them, and to keep moving forward. She spoke about the pressure students place on themselves, and urged her peers to extend themselves the same kindness they would offer a friend. "I am never down on my peers when they do not reach a goal. However, many of us, including myself, have a history of doing this to ourselves."
McCall reminded the class that the outcome is rarely what matters most. "The part many end up enjoying and missing the most is the process, the time spent with friends, the hard work put into anything you do, the journey of finding confidence is what makes it special. Living in the moment, it's a gift. That's why they call it the present."
Principal Tracy Gibson then presented the school's annual cup awards to four deserving members of the graduating class. The Alumni Cup, awarded to the senior with the highest verified total hours of school and community service, was given to Braeden Landry. The Tribune Cup, recognizing a female student for character, leadership, and superior physical and mental achievement, was presented to Annalise Stimmell. The Campbell Cup, awarded to the male student who has shown the most marked improvement in athletics, scholarship, and character, went to Brady Boissonneault. The Achievement Cup, honoring outstanding achievement in major school activities, was presented to Senior Class President Matthew Hebert.
The presentation of diplomas followed, with Principal Gibson joined by Superintendent of Schools Matt Nelson and Amy Sevigny, Chair of the Sanford School Committee. Hebert announced each graduate as they crossed the stage to receive their diploma
The ceremony concluded with the class song, "Landslide," by Fleetwood Mac. You can watch the 133rd Commencement Ceremony on WSSRTV’s Youtube page here.