Sanford Community Adult Education celebrated its Class of 2026 graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 10, honoring 27 graduates. The evening brought together families, friends, educators, and community members around a theme that defined the night: resilience.
This year's class was the largest in York County adult education programs, and every one of its 27 members showed that resilience in their own way, including student speaker Chantel Coleman. Coleman returned to the classroom after many years away to earn her diploma, and on Wednesday night she stood before her classmates to celebrate what they had accomplished together.
"We did it. We made it to graduation," Coleman said. "I know it was hard at times. We felt like giving up, but we didn't, because we had the support that gave us the confidence to keep pushing ourselves."
Coleman's daughter, Sabrina, encouraged her to return and earn her diploma. Sabrina, her husband, and her father supported her every step of the way.
"For the first time in my life, I was able to be comfortable with my teachers, because they never gave up on me," Coleman said. "They taught me to never give up on myself." She thanked the office staff and her teachers. Coleman left her fellow graduates with a challenge: "Follow your dreams, whatever they are, because you'll get there. It may take a little bit, but remember, you can do it."
Each graduate arrived at Wednesday night's ceremony by a different path, earning their diplomas while balancing the demands of work, family, and life's unexpected challenges. Superintendent Matt Nelson, who called the graduation one of his favorite events of the entire year, welcomed attendees on behalf of the Sanford School Department, and Pam Buck of Senator Susan Collins' office read a congratulatory letter from the senator praising the graduates' determination to keep moving forward.
Several graduates were recognized for outstanding achievement. Thanks to the generosity of Senior College and the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club, scholarships were awarded to Navaya Griffin, Zachary Perkins, and Logan Quinn.
Chloe Houle-McCabe was honored for her kind heart, work ethic, and commitment to building a brighter future. From the classroom to her internship at a local salon, Chloe consistently showed up, worked hard, and embraced every opportunity to learn and grow, approaching each challenge with grace, determination, and a positive attitude. "What makes Chloe special is not just what she's accomplished, but who she is," Perkins said. "She treats others with amazing kindness and respect. She supports her peers. She serves as a wonderful example of what can be achieved through dedication and hard work."
The evening's Resilience Award was presented by SCAE teacher Sue Zimmer, who described a student who has experienced his share of ups and downs over a couple of years in the program. When Logan Quinn first arrived at SCAE, he shared with her how much it would mean to graduate on time — in the same year he would have at a traditional high school. Though that goal didn't seem possible at the time, Logan achieved it "class after class, credit after credit, difficulty after difficulty," persevering through every semester until he earned his place among Wednesday's graduates.
SCAE Director Jayne Perkins closed the ceremony with the four words her father shared at her own graduation, a message she has passed on to every student since 1997: "Go do good things."
"Be kind when no one's watching. Be present for the people you love. Forgive quickly. That's a hard one," Perkins told the graduates, reminding them that a diploma is not a finish line but a doorway. "Wherever life takes you, please know you will always have a home here at Sanford Community Adult Education."
Congratulations to the following graduates: Tyler Casey, Anthony Coleman, Chantel Coleman, Christopher Dellea, Jaylee Enwright, Olivia Ferreira, Sadie Gorham, Keaton Gregoier, Navaya Griffin, Cole Griffith, Stella Guillereault, Chloe Houle-McCabe, Ariel Inello, Laura Jackson-Centeno, Richard Jacques, Kayden King, Kali Lapierre, Logan Mackenzie, Nick Miscio, Tanya Morgan, Joshua Perillo, Zach Perkins, Logan Quinn, Jamari Roberts, Gia Sconza, Julius Thompson