NORTH ANSON — Reading, music — and structure.
Those were the keys to twin sisters Samantha and Sara Taylor’s successes in becoming valedictorian and salutatorian for this year’s graduating class at Carrabec High School, their mother said Friday before commencement exercises.
“From the start when they were very little, I read books to them,” Heather Taylor said by phone. “And they are very talented singers as well, and when they were babies they could hit notes without even trying. They’re very musical, and that made them think in a way that made school a lot easier for them.”
Heather Taylor said she and her husband, Alan, also tried to structure their daughters’ habits, having them get to their homework as soon as they got home from school.
With a grade point average of 101.58, Samantha — who is one minute older than her sister — completed seven Advanced Placement classes and all the honors classes that would fit within her schedule. Samantha plans to attend the University of Maine at Farmington to major in art education and animation.
Sara has a grade point average of 100.78, completing four Advanced Placement classes this year, and also is accomplished in the field of performing arts. Sara plans to attend the University of Maine, in Orono, and is enrolled in the computer science program.
Samantha and Sara, along with Allyn Foss and Jade Fortin, performed the National Anthem a cappella as the processional got underway Friday night for the 40 graduating seniors at the high school.
The graduating Carrabec Cobras marched in to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” all dressed in the class colors of green and white.
Sara delivered the welcome address, telling her classmates that they were about to rise to the occasion of life after graduation
Opening remarks were given by school principal Timothy Richards, who told graduating seniors that on Friday night they would be taking the last step of their “free and formal education.” Richards offered some advice: Be happy, volunteer to be part of something that’s bigger than you are and don’t settle for that first job to come along — find a vocation that you will enjoy and be good at.
“I wish you health,” he said. “I wish you wealth and I wish you happiness.”
The class speaker was Samantha Taylor, who told her fellow graduates that, like their class motto — Adventure is out there.
“There are so many places to explore, lives to save, and so, so, much food to be eaten,” she joked. “Take opportunities as they are given to you. Be daring. Be open. Don’t hold yourself back from experiences. And after all, adventure is out there.”
Graduating senior Taylor Cyrway introduced the guest speaker, author and one-time Carrabec High School principal, Robert Wesley Clement.
Clement, who said he has written six books, told the graduating class not to wait until they retire to pursue their dreams, as he had done. He said the world is a new place these days, where the Internet offers so much. He told them to find their happiness and to be who they are.
“Class of 2017, know this — wSWWe applaud your tolerance, your acceptance of differences,” Clement said. “We need that tolerance now like we’ve never needed it before. Your generation encompasses the phrase — we’re all the same in different ways.”
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow
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