AUGUSTA -- As she and her classmates prepared to begin their adult lives, Messalonskee High School class of 2007 salutatorian Monika Pauckova sought to inspire them with words they may have recognized from their childhood.

"You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose," she said, quoting Dr. Seuss. "You're on your own, and you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go."

Last night, the members of Messalonskee High's class of 2007 had gowns on their shoulders and mortarboards on their heads -- red for the girls and blue for the boys -- and were preparing to set off in many different directions.

Jon Dumont, the class secretary, said he plans to study biology or chemistry at the University of Maine, Orono, in the fall.

Ryan Dube plans to work for Bean's Commercial Grease, a company that produces biodiesel.

Garrett Parmenter has enlisted in the Navy and his friend, Jared Brown, is considering joining him there.

Jessica Buckhalter is set to go to McIntosh College in New Hampshire to pursue her passion for photography.

The overwhelming majority of the students said that they were relieved to be graduating, but that they will miss their friends.

Dumont said he will remember Messalonskee as the backdrop for personal growth and friendship.

"I don't think it's as much the school as the relationships you make," he said. "It's sort of where you develop, maturity-wise."

Dube, Jones and Parmenter are glad to finally be "free."

"It's about time, anyways," said Brown, laughing.

At the ceremony, Leilani Jones, class valedictorian, reminded peers that graduation means starting over at the bottom of the ladder, and that climbing back up, whether in college, the workforce or the military, presents new challenges they must be prepared to face.

Having done some calculations beforehand, Pauckova informed her classmates they had endured 3,840 hours of class over the course of high school, a revelation that was met with cheers.

When the last diploma was awarded, the class celebrated by throwing beach balls and confetti into the air.

Social studies teacher Carol Browne had addressed the class earlier in the day. The faculty speaker traditionally speaks at commencement, but this year the school decided to hold the event in the morning in a bid to shorten the evening ceremony, Browne said.

Quoting Mark Twain, Browne told the Messalonskee seniors to "dance like nobody's watching."

"You may find in life that people may try to mold you into what they want you to be, but don't allow that to happen," she advised. "Be who you want to be. Do your own thing and live up to your own expectations."

Steve Kolowich -- 623-3811, Ext. 472

skolowich@centralmaine.com