It was a day to remember the past and look forward to the future for 15 Edgecomb Eddy School graduates. The sixth grade class celebrated its final day in elementary school with an hour-long graduation ceremony.

The class of 2016 began its educational journey seven years ago with 20 students. On June 15, only eight of the original 20 remained. Principal Lisa Clarke remarked how wonderful it was to have all the graduates attend the school.

“Whether you’ve been here just a few months or all eight years it’s been a pleasure knowing all of you,” she said.

Members of the Edgecomb Eddy School 2016 sixth grade graduating class are Arden Carleton, Wesley Edgecomb, Jake Kelley, Angelica Rodriguez, Ibrahima Dean, Hailey Emerick, David Shaw, Justin Campbell, Henry Currier, Haley Clifford, Zachary Rollins, Emma Louiller, Emilie Crocker, Hunter Brewer and Sage Kosky.

School officials also presented two awards. Carleton received the Academic Excellence Award. The honor goes to the student with the highest academic achievement during the past three years. Fifth grade teacher Terry Milligan described Carleton as a “lovely, poised, confident, young person.”

Carleton scored high on both state and national tests. This year, she met all the state standards with distinction on the Maine Education Assessment tests in math, language arts and reading. On the national Northwest Education Assessment test, Carleton scored in the 92nd percentile in math, 95th percentile in language usage, and 97th percentile in reading.

“Arden is a great student and a joy to teach,” Milligan said. “All of us at Edgecomb Eddy will miss seeing her each day as she moves onto her new school. Congratulations, Arden!”

Two students received the Sara Leone Citizenship Award. Leone finished her sixth grade year at Edgecomb Eddy School in 2002. She died in 2005. The award celebrates Leone’s enthusiasm for learning, love of the outdoors and zest for life.

Angelica Rodriguez and Arden Carleton received the award. Clarke described Rodriguez as “a quiet leader who is kind and generous with integrity.” Clarke described Carleton as “an outgoing leader who is not afraid to try new things.”

The graduation ceremony ended with the graduates singing the school song.