Saco four turn their tassels

Of the four graduating seniors at Saco High School on Saturday in the school's auditorium, Channing Mavencamp was the lone student to attend school in town for his entire 12-year academic career, but that fact didn't take away from the joy that group felt during their big day.

Joining Mavencamp on the stage on Saturday were graduating seniors Cyra Mears, Alyssa Ostrom and Dakota Rickel. Saco's graduating Class of 2016 was welcomed to the stage by nearly 200 people in the audience and the processional music thanks to the Saco Band.

Among the audience members were three former Saco students – the Class of 1966 – who received honorary 50th certificates from Saco Schools Superintendent Gordon Hahn. Gwayne (Hanson) Kramer, Jim Hanson and Vivian Taylor accepted the award for Gary Taylor. Those not in attendance from the Class of 1966, but honored, were McKee Anderson, Robert Brookie, Cheryl (Erickson) Ardrey, Arlynn Irish, Gregg Menge and Loney Utter (deceased.)

Members of the Saco High School Choir – which included Mavencamp – serenaded the auditorium with a version of Bastille's Pompeii to the crowd's delight. Saturday was also Armed Forces Day and Superintendent Hahn asked for any veterans in attendance to please stand and be recognized. They were thanked with a warm round of applause.

Before the high school seniors received their diplomas and gave their speeches, the class of 2020 (eighth graders this year) were honored for making the jump to high school next year. Those students were Brady Albus, Tymichaelee Murphy and Dustin Ostrom (Alyssa's younger brother.)

Sup. Hahn then talked briefly about each of the school's Class of 2016 members. He said he met Mavencamp shortly after starting work at Saco when Mavencamp was a little fourth grader.

"Today, Channing is a pretty big kid, I think he could take me now," Sup. Hahn joked.

Sup. Hahn spoke of the short commute Mavencamp would have to make to school each day (he lives across the street from Saco School) and when he would ask the student about his trek across the street Mavencamp would reply that in one-word sentences.

"Great, cold, muddy, raining, windy, snowing, easy, quick, were the one word answers he normally gave," Sup. Hahn said. "Channing is simply a great young man. Nice. Polite. Friendly ...are the one word answers I'll give here."

Of Rickel, Sup. Hahn said the senior came to Saco School during his freshman year and proceeded to blossom into a top-notch student.

"Dakota worked on computer-electronic projects that none of us in the building understood," Sup. Hahn said. "He has matured into a very successful young man who is well prepared to go on to college and develop those computer skills further."

Of Mears, Sup. Hahn said she worked hard since coming to Saco via Malta and contributed to the school in many ways. Sup. Hahn paid special attention to how Mears would greet him when the two would meet in the halls.

"What I have always liked best about Cyra is that little smirk she would give me when I would see her in the hallway," Sup. Hahn said. "I know she was thinking 'I am going to smile at Mr. Hahn, even though I think he is nuts'."

Sup. Hahn said that Ostrom came to Saco in her senior year after attending school in Big Sandy. He said that because of the different credits between the schools, no one was sure how she would be able to graduate on time.

"If she wasn't perfect all year long, she wouldn't be here," he added. "It wasn't always easy for Alyssa as she had several challenges, but she stuck to it, she never gave up and now, here she sits. I'm very proud of Alyssa for this accomplishment. She had every reason to give up, but her mom, her brother and all her teachers wouldn't let that happen and neither did she."

The four seniors read their thank you letters, watched a Senior Slide Show prepared by Chandler Pippin and then passed out flowers to family and friends. The four graduates then passed out flowers to family and friends before Saco teacher Amber Erickson awarded scholarships.

Last, but not least, the graduates received their high school diplomas from Saco School Board Trustee Nena Malmend -- mother of senior graduate Alyssa and eighth grade grad Dustin -- putting an extra- special topper on an already wonderful afternoon.