WMHS hosts 121st annual alumni banquet
Class of 2023 Valedictorian Carolyn Potter with her father Roy Potter, Class of 1986, and her grandmother Marsha Potter, Class of 1961. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Bryan Gagnon, his mother Ashley Gagnon, Class 2002, grandmother Debbie Gagnon, Class of 1981, and grandfather David Gagnon, Class of 1977 applaud his great-grandmother Ann Quinnam Sparks, who also attended Wiscasset. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Carroll Colby, class of 1962, and his wife Judith Colby. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
From left, Richelle Pontau, Class of 1977, Joy McNaughton, Class of 1976 and Keith McLeod, Class of 1979. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Seniors Madison Westrich, Carolyn Potter, Angie Haggett, Brady Nichols, Bryan Gagnon and Payton Blagdon prepare to sing the class Wiscasset’s school song. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Three generations of Wiscasset alumni and a fourth as of June 8 attend the June 3 banquet; Ann Quinnam Sparks graduated in 1950. Her son David Gagnon graduated in 1977. His daughter Ashley Gagnon graduated in 2002 and her son Bryan Gagnon is part of the Class of 2023. Cindy Collamore photo
Class of 1950’s Janice Fogg presents a scholarship to graduating senior Bryan Gagnon. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Vickie Levitt Hersom, Class of 1975, and Shelia Haines Sawyer, Class of 1971, and her husband David. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Alumni and guests line up to enjoy dinner by Midcoast Caterers. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Class of 2023 Valedictorian Carolyn Potter with her father Roy Potter, Class of 1986, and her grandmother Marsha Potter, Class of 1961. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Bryan Gagnon, his mother Ashley Gagnon, Class 2002, grandmother Debbie Gagnon, Class of 1981, and grandfather David Gagnon, Class of 1977 applaud his great-grandmother Ann Quinnam Sparks, who also attended Wiscasset. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Carroll Colby, class of 1962, and his wife Judith Colby. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
From left, Richelle Pontau, Class of 1977, Joy McNaughton, Class of 1976 and Keith McLeod, Class of 1979. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Seniors Madison Westrich, Carolyn Potter, Angie Haggett, Brady Nichols, Bryan Gagnon and Payton Blagdon prepare to sing the class Wiscasset’s school song. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Three generations of Wiscasset alumni and a fourth as of June 8 attend the June 3 banquet; Ann Quinnam Sparks graduated in 1950. Her son David Gagnon graduated in 1977. His daughter Ashley Gagnon graduated in 2002 and her son Bryan Gagnon is part of the Class of 2023. Cindy Collamore photo
Class of 1950’s Janice Fogg presents a scholarship to graduating senior Bryan Gagnon. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Vickie Levitt Hersom, Class of 1975, and Shelia Haines Sawyer, Class of 1971, and her husband David. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Alumni and guests line up to enjoy dinner by Midcoast Caterers. ISABELLE CURTIS/Wiscasset Newspaper
It has been four years in the making, but Wiscasset Middle High School got to host its 121st annual alumni banquet on Saturday, June 3 in Stover Auditorium after previous celebrations had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve been coming here pretty much since graduation. It’s something I really enjoy just because you get to catch up with old friends and people you know through the community,” said Richelle Pontau, Class of 1977.
This sentiment was shared by several alumni who expressed their excitement to be amongst their old schoolmates, and pride in being part of one of the oldest active alumni associations in the country. “It’s nice for classes to get together and see people that they haven't in years,” said Judith Colby. Her husband Carroll Colby graduated in 1962.
In addition to honoring alumni, the night was about celebrating the graduating Class of 2023. “There’s no right or wrong way to go from here. Everyone’s following different paths and going about it their own way. Just enjoy the ride,” advised Vickie Levitt Hersom, alumni association president and Class of 1975 member. “Most of all, maintain your connections with your friends. They will be there when you need them.”
Congratulations were also offered by Class of 1970’s Betty Applin, Class of 1971’s Benjamin Rines Jr., Class of 1972’s Stephen Whitfield and Class of 1973’s Susan Colby James. Classes not able to attend their own 50th graduation anniversaries due to the pandemic each offered a historical snapshot of the year they graduated.
Three scholarships were awarded during the event. Senior Class Vice President Alivia Orr received the Charle Sewall Scholarship, awarded to a student planning to pursue a degree in education, and the Past President’s Scholarship. Class of 1950’s Janice Fogg, who was also celebrating her 90th birthday, presented a scholarship on behalf of her class to Bryan Gagnon.
Earlier that evening, Gagnon, Senior Class President Payton Blagdon and the rest of the boys’ track team won the 4x400 relay at the Maine Class C State Championships. The news was announced during the event to loud applause.
This year’s dinner was catered by Mid Coast Caterers of Pittston.
The Wiscasset Class of 2023’s graduation is June 8.
