SKOWHEGAN — Words of encouragement and a nod to the resiliency of graduates were echoed throughout the graduation ceremony Sunday afternoon for Skowhegan Area High School and Bloomfield Academy.

The 116 members of the class of 2022 were lauded during a ceremony at the school’s football field, with families each assigned to a square pod along the field and graduates arranged on the bleachers for the 1 p.m. celebration.

Graduates share in the moment Sunday morning during the Skowhegan Area High School and Bloomfield Academy graduation ceremony in Skowhegan. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

The ceremony began with a readings by each of the class officers and the class song. Ella Conway greeted guests with remarks about all that had happened during her and her classmates’ high school experience.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about change, and how it is inevitable, scary and good,” Conway said. “This class has experienced a lot of change.”

She described how the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted life during her and her classmates’ sophomore year.

Graduates Kiera Clark, center, and Delani Harrington laugh Sunday afternoon as they prepare to receive their diplomas with Marcus Hampton, left, during the Skowhegan Area High School and Bloomfield Academy graduation ceremony in Skowhegan. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

“What we imagined as our high school experience change before our eyes,” Conway said. “From being kicked out sophomore year to the first time trying to use Zoom, we have been through changes.”

Students learned to study online, play sports while following COVID-19 health protocols and perform arts and music and interact in new and creative ways, changes that Conway said were not easy.

Graduates turn their tassels and hold their diplomas in the air Sunday afternoon during the Skowhegan Area High School and Bloomfield Academy graduation ceremony in Skowhegan. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

“But change is inevitable, scary and good,” Conway said.

And now, the class of 2022 leaves with “the ability to adjust to changes” as it begin its next major change.

“We now move onto the next chapter of our lives,” Conway said. “I hope that wherever we go next, we continue to change for the best. To my classmates, with whom I have experienced these last few years of changes: Goodbye and good luck. Let’s get out of here.”

Skowhegan Area High School, which enrolls students from Canaan, Cornville, Mercer, Norridgewock, Smithfield and Skowhegan, was one of several schools in central Maine to have held graduation ceremonies this weekend. Others included Carrabec, Kents Hill and Richmond high schools.

Prior to diplomas being distributed at Skowhegan, graduate Jaycie Christopher delivered a farewell address. She began by quoting motivational speaker Les Brown — “The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.”

Christopher said the past four years have presented challenges and required adjustments, forcing students to be resilient.

“When I think of resilience, there are a few things that come to mind,” Christopher said.

They include the importance of resourcefulness, education, speaking up for yourself, investing yourself, learning from mistakes, involving yourself, earning everything, never giving up, caring for others and enjoying life.

“When you put all of these characteristics together,” she said, “you get resilience.”

Christopher spoke of a conversation she had with Assistant Principal Jason Bellerose before Christopher began her final year at Skowhegan, a conversation she said “changed her outlook.”

“He told me to make sure that I cherished every moment, no matter how insignificant it may seem, because someday I will look back and be grateful that I appreciated every moment, no matter how small,” Christopher said.