I was looking through the Register’s 1993 congratulatory graduation pages (that’s 30 years ago, folks) and the page theme was “You’re on your way!” Back then, photographer John Edwards and I would gather groups of the Boothbay Region High School seniors and pose them on the school grounds. Photos were taken on a playground slide, a swing set and two groups were just sitting on the ground.

I also noticed that many of the graduates have either returned to the region or never left and are working in various businesses. Sadly, there were a handful of those pictured who are no longer with us. I counted 47 graduates.

This year’s BRHS graduating class of 40 is very special. They have spent most of their high school years under the “COVID-19 watch,” meaning missed classes and sporting events – never knowing what was going to happen next regarding the spread of the virus and how it was going to affect their schooling. But they have made it and, like in 1993, they are “on their way.”

The Register staff would like to congratulate the BRHS Class of 2023 – as well as the Wiscasset Middle High School graduates – and wish all of them the best in whatever path they take. We would love to have you stay in the region if you so desire – and are able to find affordable housing and well-paying jobs – and contribute to this special area. But the world is huge and it offers opportunities that this region does not offer, so choose your post-graduation life wisely.

Enjoy the rest of your graduation events, thank your teachers before you leave, and be the best you can be for you, your family and your friends.