06/09/2008
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Staff Photo by Andy MolloyBut giving a speech to "1.5 million people" (a little exaggeration there) unnerved the second honor speaker at Cony High School's graduation at the Civic Center.
"I'm extremely nervous," said Wing before she walked down the aisle with her fellow classmates. "I'm going to give a speech to 1.5 million people. I took speech class with 15 people. I knew them all. But this is way different."
When her turn came her turn to stand behind the podium, Wing had no problem speaking to the other 177 graduating seniors and their families and friends.
The 18-year-old from Augusta, who will study journalism at New York University in the fall, said graduating from high school is different for everyone. But the general consensus is that it's more than just marching, wearing ridiculous looking caps and gowns and receiving a diploma.
"It's an evolution from one phase of life to another," Wing said. "It's a time to remember the past and embrace the future. Some people may look back and think that high school was the best four years of their lives, but I assume most of us are thinking 'these better not have been the best years of my life.'"
Erin Hickey, 18, of Augusta, who transferred to Cony during her freshman year, is anxious to get on with her life. She is enrolled in liberal studies at Southern Maine Community College.
Natalie Fecteau, 18, is also ready to move on. She'll be heading off in the fall to Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y.
The communication major from Augusta said she is looking forward to new experiences.
"I'm ready to start college," Fecteau said. "I'm ready for a challenge and New York is something different."
Tucker Bear, 17, of Augusta, won't be going that far away from home. His plan is to pursue culinary arts in a postgraduate program at the Capital Area Technical Center.
He said being out of high school feels good.
"I'm going to miss my friends," Tucker said. "It's been an experience."
Valedictorian Nadia Ann Liyanage-Don said some felt the day would never come. For others, graduation came far too quickly, she said.
Liyanage-Don told her classmates to take advantage of opportunities that come their way. And be sure to thank their family and friends and teachers who helped them succeed.
She said the class of 2008 are bright, hardworking, passionate individuals.
"We pushed our boundaries and worked as a team, raising the bar for classes to come," Liyanage-Don said.
In her greetings to those who attended the ceremony on Sunday, School Superintendent Cornelia Brown said the seniors were graduating from an institution rich with history an pride.
She said 80 percent of the class will go on to post secondary and military experiences. Many will attend colleges and universities in Maine, including Bates, Colby and Bowdoin. Others have been accepted in out-of-state institutions such as Tufts University, Harvard and Syracuse University.
"As with classes before this, we are extremely proud," Brown said.
Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408
mcooper@centralmaine.com
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