Student Council President Dillon Leeman evoked the memory of late Beatle George Harrison in his June 10 graduation speech. He recounted how the legendary band broke up in 1970. The band released over 200 songs with Harrison accounting for about two dozen. But in his first effort as a solo artist, Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” had 28 songs, and sold more than John Lennon’s “Imagine” and Paul McCartney’s “Band on the Run” combined. This led to Leeman disputing Harrison as being the “Quiet Beatle.”

“He wrote most of those songs when he was a Beatle. Lennon and McCartney didn’t think those songs were good enough for a Beatle album,” he said. 

Leeman encouraged his classmates to follow Harrison’s example by not letting others' criticism define them. “Listen to yourself. You're the only person who knows what is best for you. Don’t be swayed by how others define you. Wake up every day, and be your own masterpiece.” he said.

Wiscasset Middle High School held its annual commencement ceremony at Wiscasset Speedway. Thirty-one graduating seniors received their diploma during the hour-plus ceremony. 

Cam Bishop has taught at WMHS for two years. Several of the graduates took his “Principles of Democracy” class. “You have all experienced a pretty bleak existence the past couple years occurring outside the Wiscasset town lines," he said. "But this has prepared you well for handling the difficulties and challenges which lie ahead.”

Bishop also coaches college ice hockey, track and football. He urged graduates to follow the characteristics of how great athletes succeed in their sports.  He urged them to incorporate discipline, accepting their role, self-motivation, and resiliency in making their way in the world. “Winning in life is tough. It’s complicated. It’s different things for different people, but it comes down to how you respond to adversity,” he said. “If you are disciplined, willing to accept any role, work to your best ability, and show respect to others. If you do these things, the world will become a better place and you will succeed."

Mason Davenport was valedictorian and Naomi Wood, salutatorian. Davenport thanked all those in the WMHS community for being supportive of the Class of 2022 during matriculation. He discussed how the pandemic made learning more stressful than it was for past generations. “We’ve been put through the ringer, but we kept moving and persevered,” he said. “June 10 is our day. We’ve earned it as we move on to the next chapter of our lives.”

Wood urged her fellow graduates to show kindness to others in their future endeavors. She shared children’s television personality Fred Rogers’ advice in dealing with others. “First be kind. Second, be kind. And third, be kind,” she said. 

Wood also used an example of how WMHS showed her kindness on her first day of high school. Wood explained  she was a new student at the school when Principal Charles Lomonte started a conversation in the lunch room. She described herself as terrified unpacking her lunch when Lomonte spoke to her. “You have so much food to share I would sit with you,” she recounted. Later, D’Nishia Aaliyah Dawkins asked Wood to sit with her group. “Two individuals who welcomed me into a new school shaped me into the person I am today,” Wood said. “One small comment. A simple hello or smile can make all the difference in a person’s life.” 

The Class of 2022 Marshals were Latisha Wright and Garrett Cossette. Class Officers were Dawkins, president; Wright, vice-president; Cossette, treasurer; and Hailey Talbert, secretary.