SALEM TOWNSHIP -- Western Maine high school seniors waited in restless lines in the hallways, waiting to be ushered to the stage. "Hurry up, we're late," one young woman whispered to her friend, as both ran hurriedly down the corridor.

On Friday evening, in SAD 58's Mt. Abram High School gymnasium, the bleachers were filled with family and friends of the 63 proud graduates.

Valedictorian Emma Coffin urged her fellow classmates to follow their dreams.

Coffin encouraged the class, "Don't be afraid to go toward your future."

Superintendent Quenten Clark began the evening with an honorary diploma for Kingfield resident Beulah Moore, who graduated in 1933.

"This is a complete surprise," Moore said, as she accepted the award. "I'm so honored." Another special award, a posthumous GED, was presented to the family of Sgt. Richard Parker of Phillips, who was killed in combat in Iraq.

Coffin and salutatorian Nathan Kinney were among the 86 percent of the students planning to continue to college or other higher education, and others were heading to military service.

Ten students of the 63 had maintained a grade point average of 95 or above for all four years of high school, and 12 had maintained an average of 90 or above.

Principal Jeanne Tucker, selected as Maine's High School Principal of the Year, received special acknowledgement.

About 200 scholarships were awarded to students.