NORTH ANSON -- Graduating seniors at Carrabec High School were really "digging" the day Saturday during commencement exercises, and in more ways than one.

In her address to the packed house at the high school, Class of 2008 salutatorian Lila Myers quoted one of her favorite singer-songwriters, the late Jim Croce.

"If you dig it, do it," Myers quoted by way of advice to her classmates. "If you really dig it, do it twice."

Saturday was the 39th annual Carrabec High School graduation and fittingly, 39 seniors marched to the "Pomp and Circumstance" through an archway of forest green and white balloons.

In her brief statements to the class on Saturday, School Administrative District 74 Superintendent Regina Campbell also used the "digging" theme, but through advice from a friend -- her dog Ed.

"If what you really want lies deep, dig for it and don't give up until you find it," Campbell said, paraphrasing what Ed would have said.

SAD 74 serves Anson, Embden, New Portland, North Anson and Solon, and as class valedictorian Jessica Archer pointed out, this year's graduating class is last one to have made the transition from the elementary school in their town, directly to high school.

There is now a middle school -- Carrabec Community School -- serving grades 6-8.

"You can't turn back," she said. "This is it. Always remember, whenever one door closes, another door opens -- don't just follow your dreams, chase them."

Actress Midge Merrill, performing arts teacher at the school, and a Lakewood Theater staple, was the guest speaker Saturday.

Merrill said that for the past few weeks, the events have a series of finals -- final exams, final projects, final applications. She told students not to let Saturday's farewell be a final one.

Now, she said, it is time to look forward and to look back "with a catch in the throat and a melancholy smile."

"Don't forget the journey," Merrill said. "If I had known the last time I jumped rope with my friends that it was going to be the last time, or the last time I shot marbles with them, or the last time I hugged one of you that it might be the last time, how would I make that difference?

"Live your moment. Live your passion and love each moment individually, because they go so quickly."

In her welcome to the gathering Saturday, Class President Bethany Beaulieu told her fellow graduates that, after 13 years in the district, this would be the last time they all would be in the high school gymnasium as students.

"The thought might scare some people, but believe me, we are ready," she said.

Beaulieu also gave the final farewell to the Class of 2008, before the recessional marched them all out of the gym and into the bright afternoon sun -- some to the workplace, some to the military, some to college, but all to a new life.

Doug Harlow -- 474-9534 ext. 342

dharlow@centralmaine.com